Wednesday, 12 September, 2007

Are you an ENTJ or an ESTP? Or you are an INJP? This is the new language you might hear in the passageways of University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD). It is all about your type!The first ever Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI®) accreditation course in the UAE was recently offered at UOWD. The purpose of this undertaking was to accredit HR professionals and psychologists in utilizing Step I and Step II of the MBTI instrument in the workplace, at home, or with friends. Dr. Lien Els, Associate Professor Human Resources, coordinated the event which attracted 22 HR Professionals.The MBTI-instrument, an assessment tool to analyse personality type, has a long history with more studies done and more extensive revisions than almost any other personality assessment tool. The Step I assessment identifies a persons whole type made up of four basic type preferences. The Step II assessment provides a more richly textured picture of type and behaviour using 20 additional facets. The MBTI instrument is classified as a "Level B" instrument, which means that special training is required to purchase and administer it.Dr. Cedwyn Fernandes, Chair of the College of Graduate Studies at UOWD, said, "In order to ensure ongoing accreditation, UOWD, in collaboration with Innovate (Human Resource Solutions), has plans to offer the MBTI as a co-curricular program to HR students at UOWD and to industry professionals.The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI®) assessment is the best known personality tool available today. After more than 50 years, the MBTI instrument continues to be the most trusted and widely used assessment in the world for understanding individual differences and uncovering new ways to work and interact with others. More than 2 million assessments are administered to individuals annually, including employees of most Fortune 500 companies. The MBTI instrument is also available in 21 languages.If you still wonder why you might need to implement the MBTI in your organization, this is what our HR students, who obtained their MBTI accreditation at UOWD, had to say:"The MBIT Training was one of the best training courses I have ever attended. Top class course with an expert facilitator that enhance the subject richness. Attending the first MBIT certification course in the Middle East will have a great impact on my HR knowledge and ability to perform my best in my current career. Shatha Saif Nasser (Human Resource Manager - Mashreq Bank)"I thoroughly enjoyed the program. The MBTI has provided me with in-depth understanding of different personalities and how this effective tool can be used in team building, leadership development and coaching. I would strongly recommend it. - Haidar A Ali (Corporate Manager Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority)"The past four days at the MBTI workshop have opened my eyes on many insights. It is like being given a new pair of glasses that allowed me to look at myself and other people that I interact with from a new perspective. I am very glad that I had the opportunity to participate in this exciting program and would definitely practice what I have learnt. - Sue Yue (MSHRM student)Dr. Linda Kirby, the excellent and energetic presenter from Denver, Colorado goes on to say: "On-going change is an integral part of working in the 21st century. Developments in technology and communications are driving a global economic revolution; and, like previous economic revolutions, the impacts ripple out into social relationships, value systems, political alliances, religious affiliations, and individual identity. To survive and be effective in the new economic and political environment, individuals must deal with the day-by-day disruptions and, at the same time, with fundamental changes in the relationship between people and work." Linda shared her vast knowledge and expertise to counter the every day challenges in the workplace and demonstrated tangible ways to apply the MBTI. results. If you are interested in registering for the next MBTI course in 2008, please contact Dr. Lien Els ([email protected]), Co-ordinator for Human Resource Management at UOWD.