Meeting Report

Problem:  Experimental international college

Date and time of Meeting: 13^th March 2012, 9:30 a.m.

Venue: CERT Research and Innovation Center

Equipment: Computers, papers and pencils.

Group members:

Chair: Saleh Mohammed

Minutes taker: Abdullah Ahmed

Participant: Abdulaziz Saeed

Agenda:

·         Issues that may arise due to mixed gender.

·         Fear of loss of the Arabic traditions.

·         Fear of loss of Islamic values over time.

·         Benefits of international minds and mix of cultures.

The chairman Saleh opened the meeting at 9:32 a.m. The meeting was held late owing to compulsory reasons.

1.       Issues that may arise due to mixed gender.

Abdulla said it is a good idea, because the statistics show that females are better students than male students and that will motivate male students to perform better in college. Saleh agreed with the idea to a certain extent, worrying that people from the opposite sex would be somewhat distracted. Abdul Aziz thought it was a good idea. Hedley said that this might cause some disagreements with parents, because they are not used to mixed gender colleges in the UAE.

2.       Fear of loss of the Arabic traditions.

Abdulla said that the traditions will disappear with time and that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Hedley disagreed completely stating that through all the changes that have happened up to now, the UAE still holds some of their oldest traditions like falconry, and Saluki hunting and Saleh agreed. Abdulaziz was in favor with Abdulla.

3.       Fear of loss of Islamic values over time.

Saleh said that some valuable Islamic traditions like the two Eids and the Holy month of Ramadan will remain forever.  Although Saleh also stated that we have already lost some of our values. Hedley agreed. Abdulla and Abdulaziz agreed with Saleh.

4.       Benefits of international minds and mix of cultures.

Abdulla said that it would lead to a greater understanding between different cultures, and would reduce the amount of conflict between them. Abdulla and Abdulaziz both agreed that the benefits of the different cultures and minds would be of great advantage to us. Saleh agreed, but was worried that western cultures would influence the young Arab generation and would contribute to the loss of traditions and Islamic values.

In conclusion

1.       The idea of mixed gender was unanimously agreed upon by all of us.

2.       Saleh and Hedley agreed on the fact that the UAE will not lose all of their traditions. Abdulaziz and Abdulla disagreed with this, saying that we will lose most if not all of our Arabic traditions with time.

3.       We all agreed on the fact that we will never lose some of our Islamic traditions.

4.       We all agreed that we would benefit greatly from different cultures and minds. Although, Saleh feared western cultures would have a great impact on the young Arab generation.

5.       Overall, we all agreed with the experimental international college.

Saleh thanked everyone, and the meeting was closed by 9:52 a.m.