Monday, 04 May, 2009

In its efforts to support the professional development of counsellors working in the high schools in Dubai, the University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) conducted a workshop on "Counselling High School Students: Strategies & Techniques on Saturday, 1st May at Dubai Knowledge Village. The workshop aimed to provide participants with the practical skills to help counsel high school students seeking higher education opportunities which lead to careers in a volatile job market, especially in the current economic climate. In his opening remarks, Professor Rob Whelan, President of UOWD said "We recognise the invaluable role high school counsellors play in guiding the career choices of students, and, as part of the Universitys community engagement activities, strongly believe in providing professional development opportunities for the counsellors. The workshop presentation was designed by UOWD academics Drs Swapna Koshi and Payyazhi Jayashree, in conjunction with UOWD Career Counsellors Susan John and Cornelio Gomes. The presenters included Dr. Swapna Koshy, Ms. Susan John and Dr. Michael Willemyns from UOWD. Mr. Stephen Lowe and Mr. Hal Evecan from UOW Australia provided an Australian perspective to the proceedings. The following counsellors participated: Ms. Carol Mathias, (Arab Unity School, Dubai), Ms. Gayathri Kamath, (Cambridge International School, Dubai), Mr. Sam Horness , (The International School of Choueifat, Ruwais), Ms. Noha Naamani, (Sharjah American International School, Sharjah), Mr. Johnny Wakim, (Sharjah American International School, Dubai), Ms. Sudha Srivalsan, (Our Own English High School, Sharjah), Ms. Violetta Neusuess, (Institute of Applied Technology, Dubai), Ms. Analisa Pereira (Al Salam Private School, Dubai), Ms. Zena Mouganie, (Universal American School, Dubai), Ms. Rachana Sippy (Dubai International Academy), Ms. Shalini Patrick (Our Own English High School, Dubai), Ms. Sajinie Gnanatheeban, (Baldwin Opportunity School, Bangalore, India), Mr. Abdullah Al Ameri, (Institute of Applied Technology, Al Ain), Ms. Farhad Patanwala, (Kindergarten Starters, GEMS Dubai), Mr. Toufic Khachab, (Sharjah American International School, Sharjah), Mr. Sadek Anwer Sadek (Sharjah American International School, Dubai) and Mr, Nicolas Neusuess (Institute of Applied Technology, Dubai). The feedback from the counsellors was extremely positive. They were appreciative of the Universitys efforts to provide professional development opportunities and urged UOWD to take a leading role in establishing and facilitating a network of high school counsellors in the UAE. At the conclusion of the workshop, Professor Whelan presented Certificates of Participation to the counsellors and hosted them to lunch.