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Teachers' Perspectives on In-School Services for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Students: A Case Study in a Charter School in Abu Dhabi
No full textGlobal focus is of late being placed on inclusive education, thus making it mandatory to support Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) students in mainstream classrooms. In Abu Dhabi, external clinics provide occupational therapy (OT) and speech and language therapy (SLT) in school services for charter schools to support the learning of SEND students. Yet, few studies have attempted to probe the effectiveness of such services from the teachers' perspectives. This study investigates teachers' views on the impact of OT and SLT on students' academic and social development, as well as the challenges and areas for improvement in service delivery. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine teachers from a charter primary school in Abu Dhabi, using a qualitative case study approach. It was found that OT and SLT are perceived as beneficial to enhance students' communication, motor skills, and classroom participation. However, service effectiveness is hampered by barriers like low session frequency, conflicting therapists' schedules, and a lack of therapist–teacher collaboration. The study concludes the importance of improved teacher–therapist communication and wider service accessibility, as well as the structured merging of therapy goals within the current classroom practices in school systems. These findings inform the debate about improving the inclusive education policy and practice in Abu Dhabi's charter schools.
Keywords: inclusive education, special educational needs and disabilities, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, Abu Dhabi, teacher perceptions
The Influence of Green Innovation and Digital Transformation Strategy on the Relationship Between Sustainability and Service Sector Project Success in the Context of UAE
No full textThe aim of the study is to shed light on how green innovation and digital transformation strategies influence the connection underlying to sustainability practices and project success. Through an analysis of the moderating impacts of green innovation and digital transformation, the study will offer important insights into how these elements may boost project success in a sustainable way. The study will be using a quantitative methodology, distributing surveys to directors or executives and project managers in UAE service industries in public sector. Employing structural equation modelling, the gathered data will be analysed to look at both the direct and indirect implications of the suggested factors. The study is expected to determine the extent to which digital transformation and green innovation impact the correlation between sustainability and project success. The presentation will emphasize specific advancements in digitalization and environmentally-friendly innovations that, when integrated with sustainable practices, enhance the results of projects. This study project is distinctive since it concentrates primarily on analyzing the service industry in the public sector of the United Arab Emirates. The market has undergone considerable expansion and an increasing focus on sustainability. This study investigates the importance of digital transformation and green innovation as mediators in the association between project success and sustainability, aiming to fill the existing gap in knowledge.
The findings will have a significant impact on organizational decisions and contribute to the development of optimal strategies for sustainable project management in the public sector of the UAE's service industry. Overall, this research has the capacity to stimulate positive transformation and ingenuity in the UAE service industry-public sector, creating opportunities for enhanced sustainability and prosperous initiatives in the future
Towards Inclusive Education: A Critical Analysis of Inclusive Education Practices in Pakistan
No full textMany countries have adopted inclusive education policies addressing diversity, but implementation challenges remain, especially in Pakistan. Here, inclusive education reflects the country’s willingness to allow every student to study at quality institutions while recognizing cultural and intellectual differences. Major obstacles include public attitudes, infrastructure shortages, and unprepared teachers. This paper reviews sociocultural factors within policy frameworks and suggests strategies like awareness programs, professional training, and policy reform. Prioritizing inclusivity, equity, and social justice can help Pakistan create a fair system that fosters a tolerant community, allowing every individual to reach their full potential
The Impact of Distance Learning on Identifying Primary Students with Specific Learning Disorder (SLD) During COVID-19 in Two Schools in Ajman City in the UAE
No full textThe purpose of this study is to highlight the impact of distance learning on identifying primary students with specific learning disorders (SLD) during the COVID-19 pandemic in two private schools in Ajman city in the UAE. The present paper is a small-scale study that employed the qualitative design method to gather responses to the research question, depending on semi-structured interviews. A thematic analysis was used to analyze data collected from 101 teachers, parents, special education teachers, and coordinators. In light of the results, the study revealed that schools faced obstacles, which hindered the effective identification during distance learning. Findings referred these barriers to lack of knowledge and awareness about students with SLD, lack of instructions, resources, and data, as well as lack of assessment reliability and validity and poor student evaluation. In addition, there was lack of communication and coordination among teachers, special education teachers, coordinators, and parents. Lastly, the absence of a team of experts and trained teachers in the field played an important role. The study wrapped up with a list of recommendations for effective identification in an online environment such as training teachers on inclusive education, establishing a well-articulated and efficient policy for identification methods in the schools, and raising awareness within the school community. Stakeholders and policymakers are urged to examine the problem from different perspectives to overcome all the barriers hindering effective identification. Finally, various factors posed limitations to the study, including restricted access to schools, restrictive rules of social interaction during the pandemic, and having to rely solely on semi-structured interviews. The significance of this study arises from the sacristy of research, at least locally, and the increasing numbers of cases of learning difficulties, as well as the lack of awareness among all stakeholders on dealing with such cases
The Role of Judicial Precedent as a Source of International Investment Law
No full textThis paper examines the position of judicial precedent in international investment law in the context of international investment arbitration, interrogating its rationale and implications under the provisions of Article 38 (1) (d) of the ICJ Statute. The paper seeks to explain what appears to be an ‘over reliance’ on previous decisions by investment treaty arbitral tribunals in their task of resolving investor-state disputes. It argues that although in theory, previous decisions of courts and tribunals are non-binding on subsequent courts and tribunals as they constitute only a ‘subsidiary’ source of law, nevertheless in practice, investment treaty tribunals rely heavily on previous decisions in arriving at their own decisions arguably to promote a harmonious development of investment law and to meet the legitimate expectations of the community of States and investors towards the certainty of the rule of law. The paper demonstrates that investment tribunals have, through interpretation of treaties, created and defined remedies, rights, and obligations under international investment law much more than formal sources set out those rights thereby influencing content of treaty standards of the international investment law and the phrasing of the terms of the treaties. The paper proposes that to support the role of precedent in investment dispute resolutions, investment treaties should explicitly provide for application of precedent
Deadlock Resolution in Private Companies in the UAE: A Comparative Study
No full textThis doctoral research study aims to preserve the integrity, continuity, and value of deadlocked private companies for the benefit of companies, joint ventures, shareholders, employees, third-party contractors, and the wider UAE economy and its investment regime. To achieve this, the study assesses the extent to which the UAE federal mainland legal system is equipped to provide sustainable legal solutions to shareholders’ deadlock in private companies. The research objective is to identify gaps in the studied legal systems by assessing what rights, relevant to a deadlock scenario, minority and majority shareholders have in a company, and the extent to which interests of such shareholders groups, the company, other stakeholders, need to be balanced, looking at it through the lens of modern and comprehensive stakeholders’ and public interest regulation theories. This study assesses whether and how the UAE Federal Commercial Companies Law (CCL), and the UAE courts deal with such deadlocks and disputes, and the viability of any existing statutory solutions. The research compares such solutions in the UAE, to the extent that they exist, with deadlock-preventive, deadlock-breaking and termination mechanisms offered or practiced under the UK law. Specifically, the study assesses the role of legal tools, such as shareholders’ agreements and their validity and viability to exit a shareholder from a deadlocked company. In doing so, the research analyses the importance and role of shareholders' agreements and their relevant exit clauses, and the extent to which these clauses can be legitimate and enforceable under the UAE legal system, compared to that of the UK. The study explores the appropriate deadlock resolution mechanisms that can work in the UAE legal system. It also aims to provide academic and practical guidance on important problems to benefit shareholders, directors, companies, lawyers, and legislators. It further aims to advance policy and legislative recommendations that will fill the existing gaps including amendments to the UAE CCL and practice that help improve the legal framework of the research problem. The study applies a qualitative doctrinal method built on an interpretive research paradigm required to comprehend the status quo of the topic through scholarly, critical, and comparative analysis of publicly available laws, case laws, and literature. The critical comparative analysis approach is applied between the primary UAE mainland legal system and that of the UK to objectively determine what approach is taken to address the research problem in the UAE and the UK. In addition, the research benefits from qualitative non-doctrinal semi-structured interviews with carefully selected senior lawyers, shareholders, and directors of private companies. The views were gathered and analysed to validate study outcomes and recommendations
Analysis of Photovoltaic Installations Performance and Deployment: Case Dubai Energy Sector
No full textThis thesis investigates the performance and degradation of photovoltaic (PV) systems in Dubai, a region characterized by its unique climatic conditions. With a growing emphasis on sustainable and clean energy, understanding the efficiency and longevity of PV installations in such environments is crucial. This study focuses on analyzing the Performance Ratio (PR) and degradation trends of two prevalent PV technologies: polycrystalline silicon (Poly-Si) and monocrystalline silicon (Mono-Si).
Employing a comprehensive dataset provided by Al-Suwaidi Constructions, the research analyzed PV systems across various strategic locations in Dubai, including Jebel Ali, Al Qusais, Al Barsha, and Al Lisaili. These systems, integrated directly with the grid and varying in capacity from 1.5 MW to 2 MW, were scrutinized over a five-year period (January 2018 to December 2022). The methodology involved a detailed PR analysis using linear regression models to identify long-term trends and annual degradation rates.
Key findings revealed that Poly-Si systems, despite being less efficient initially, exhibited lower annual degradation rates (-0.73% and -0.93%) compared to Mono-Si systems (-1.48% and -1.63%). This suggests a notable advantage in terms of stability and long-term performance for Poly-Si in harsh environments like Dubai. The study also contextualized these findings within the global landscape, comparing the performance of PV systems in various geographical settings.
The research contributes significantly to the field of renewable energy, providing valuable insights for stakeholders in selecting appropriate PV technologies considering environmental conditions and long-term efficiency. It underscores the importance of tailored solutions in the deployment of sustainable energy technologies, particularly in regions facing extreme climatic challenges
The Impact of Middle Leaders Empowering Teachers Towards Visible Learning: A Study Among Teachers and Leaders at a Selected Private School in Dubai
No full textThis study investigates the role of middle leaders (ML) in empowering teachers to implement Visible Learning (VL) strategies within a selected private school in Dubai. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative surveys of teachers’ perceptions and qualitative questionnaires directed to MLs to investigate their understanding of their role and to highlight the effective strategies followed and the challenges faced. The study reveals a general agreement in teachers’ perceptions regarding MLs’ empowering role in participative decision-making, informing, leading by example, coaching, and showing concern. While teachers’ perceptions vary across these areas, the highest heterogeneity in their opinions was related to showing concern and coaching aspects. Teachers’ perceptions converge toward MLs’ derived themes of modeling excellence and positive leadership, collaborative and inclusive decision-making, and effective communication. At the same time, it diverges against MLs’ identification of the importance of supporting the team’s wellbeing. The research highlights the importance of leadership practices in fostering an environment that supports teacher empowerment despite challenges in achieving uniform buy-in across staff. Implications for practice suggest the need for more focused professional development and support structures for MLs and recommend future research to explore these dynamics in diverse educational contexts. The findings contribute to the existing literature on leadership and teacher empowerment, offering new insights into how middle leaders can influence VL implementation in schools
The Impact of Big Data Analytics Capability and Organisational Resilience on Firm Competitive Performance: An Empirical Study in the UAE
No full textThis study aims to investigate the linkage between big data analytics capability (BDAC), organisational resilience and firm competitive performance (FCP). Drawing on the resource-based view and the dynamic capability, this research posits that BDAC, conceptualised as a resource capability, plays as an antecedent and a crucial enabler boosting the resilience capabilities of firms, both strategically and operationally. Simultaneously, it seeks to explore the dynamic nature of strategic and operational dimensions of organisational resilience as crucial mediating mechanisms, translating insights derived from BDAC to attain a competitive performance within disruptive business environment. This study employs a quantitative approach, utilizing Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling to analyze the perceptions and practices of top management in a diverse range of industrial firms in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The sample comprises 229 responses from firms of different sizes and sectors. The findings demonstrate that a strong BDAC has a positive direct and indirect impact on the FCP. For the indirect path, this study contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the role of strategic resilience and operational resilience as mediating mechanisms, confirming their positive serial mediation effect, thus revealing novel linear pathways between BDAC and FCP. In the other hand, the findings unveil new relationships concerning organisational resilience components, antecedents, and outcomes. They indicate a positive and significant relationship between strategic and operational resilience. Moreover, the findings show that BDAC has a positive and significant effect on strategic resilience, while its effect on operational resilience is fully mediated by strategic resilience. Finally, both strategic and operational resilience exert a significant and positive effect on the FCP. This study makes a significant theoretical contribution indicating that researchers should reconsider the immediate consequences of big data investments and instead concentrate on the ways in which BDAC can be utilised to facilitate and bolster organisational capabilities. On the other hand, it contributes to the dynamic capability theory by unveiling the components of a dynamic resilience capability, their antecedents, and outcomes. The framework for organisational resilience presents a notable implication to the field of practice in UAE or elsewhere. This framework serves to underscore the paramount significance of resilience capabilities, encompassing both strategic and operational dimensions