Mrs. Ban Ki MoonThe United Nations First Lady's Historic Visit

The Genius Learning MethodChristian Opitz's visit to Dar Al-Hekma

Giving BackSpeech, Language and Hearing Science scores thrice

Table of Contents

Letter from the Editor

“My Name Is” Workshop

MBA Launch

Graduating Class of 2012

Dar Al-Hekma’s Big Win

An Exclusive Interview with Professor Aliaa Khidr

Mrs. Ban Ki Moon

International Business Development Workshop

Alumnae Achievements

Exhibitions

Diabetes Awareness Day

A Forum to Encourage Fitness

Sports Team Achievements

Water Conservation

Breast Cancer Awareness

Women As Global Leaders Conference

Morningside Academy

Harvard Model United Nations

19th Annual Willem C. Vis Arbitration Moot

Further Achievements at-a-Glance

A Final Word

Noor Al-Hekma is the official Dar Al-Hekma magazine produced by the department of Marketing and Communications at the Institutional Advancement Division. In addition to publishing news and views relevant to the College, Noor Al-Hekma aims to place local issues in a global context.

Editor-in-ChiefSamar Al-Sayed

Graphic design Farah Mahfouz

Assisting designHadia Abdulkareem

PhotographyHiba El-Dada

Mourad Afifi

Samar Al-Sayed

Editorial coordinatorZeina El-Hoss

Contributing editorsSamina Mushtaq

Dr. Saleha Abedin

Zeina El-Hoss

Senior Arabic editorDr. Saida Shehab

Letter from the EditorThe transient nature of life has many of us pondering the point of restraint and self-discipline. From the very moment we set foot on the walkway of history, we are told what is good and what is bad, what we should and should not indulge in, what will help and what will hinder. The battle for self-betterment rages on and we have all experienced the desolation of our internal struggles and the sweetness of victory. Knowing that our greatest flaws can often be a reflection of our deepest gifts provides solace

to those of us who have not yet fulfilled their potential out of fear and resistance. Our worth lies not in tangible achievement but in our power to abandon expectation, practice compassion and bask in contentment. Indeed, after darkness reaches its pinnacle, the light of perspective prevails, and what a perspective that is.

Samar Al-Sayed

The Genius Learning Method

Narratives on Urbanizationand Heritage

Contemporary Art, Modern History

A People’s Princess: An Interview with HRH Princess Mashael Bint Faisal Al-Saud

Christian Opitz, a German-born teacher of alternative methods, sheds light on ground-breaking accelerated learning in a 3-day workshop at Dar Al-Hekma.

Iranian-born contemporary artist Rose Eissa talks about her life-long career giving Eastern art presence in the West.

A young princess facing challenges in a selfless endeavor to make a change.

Rassem Badran, a distinguished architect of world class innovation and recognition, offers a contemporary understanding of heritage in his workshop.

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The architect who designed the Dar Al-Hekma premises used dome-shaped glass ceilings in order to harbor positive energy and to induce relaxation through sunshine (Photography by Dina Al-Amoudi).

Opitz wearing an Arabian-style turban given to him by a shop owner in the old souq. Opitz and his wife both gave presentations during the 3-day workshop at the College (photography by Samar Al-Sayed).

The Genius Learning MethodThe Christian Opitz Workshop at Dar Al-HekmaSamar Al-Sayed

Who would have thought that conventional methods of learning stunt the width of our imagination, put a lid on our natural rate of assimilation and oppress our primitive gifts?

Christian Opitz, a German-born teacher of alternative methods of learning and nutrition, has just that to teach the world.Like many mutations in life, in the case of learning, someone has finally uttered the words that primitive is best. Yes, running wild and just being have their perks.Unscathed by criticism, deadlines and comparison, toddlers have admirable cognitive ability. Wide eyed and ready to receive color, image and word by the dozen, they then walk into a bustling, disciplinary world with their backpacks and are reprimanded for not being able to sit still for the entire 50-minute duration of math class (yes, the subject often adds to the pain of the duration). Yet it is the duration alone that is a provocative test of willpower and that has many wiggling restlessly in their seats in an obvious case of what the modern school of thought on schooling often diagnoses as ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) or ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyper-Disorder). By adolescence, you would have been subjected to years of intellectual oppression, limiting originality to the confines of a linear system where one size pretty much fits all. Thus it was much to my delight to learn that what is a ‘short attention span’ may just translate to an innate thirst for assimilation being capped by the

passageway of a traditional, ‘disciplined’ system. Reading for longer than 20 minutes at a time induces ‘tunnel vision’ and dooms retention. Circumstantial learning – attributing fact to event – aids in the retention of facts and figures. Productivity for a deadline spurs unproductivity. Being away from the land of deadlines and obligations – on holiday for instance, or a trekking expedition, or just in serene, undemanding silence – gets the creative and much awaited creative juices finally flowing. Some live these realities – or lack – in full force. As adults, the echoes of the reprehensible school child return and those of us who just can’t focus resign themselves to a life of operational mediocrity. Along comes a man (yes, all good sentences start like that) whose realization of these powerful paradoxes was a breath of fresh air, whose endorsement as having one of the highest IQs at age 5 gains explicit leverage in persuading both traditionalists and nonconformists that old is out. It turns out that your deepest insecurities and flaws actually reflect your deepest gifts.As we sit on the terrace of the House of Nassif, a dated, traditional house in the Old City of Jeddah awaiting the call

to prayer, the mood is set for vintage, primitive talks. The big picture awaits us and I’m wondering what the last 3 days of workshops at Dar Al-Hekma with the Berlin-born thinker have reaped.“Most people know this experience very well. They try to learn something, but despite their best effort, the information feels like a foreign object in their minds. It doesn’t matter how hard one tries or how much one repeats the learning process. If information doesn’t become a natural part of our mind that feels familiar, the brain will erase this information very quickly. Hard work, effort and repetition are not triggering an effective learning process in the brain. If we assimilate information in the sense that we feel natural and at ease with it, the brain will remember it easily. This is why significant events from years ago are often remembered much better than study material from last week.” That, in a nutshell, is the premise from which the principle of ‘accelerated learning’ takes off.

“I have never let my learning get in the way of my education.” Mark Twain, American Author (1835-1910)

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German-born Christian Opitz had one of the highest IQs at age five and began studying physics and biochemistry aged just 7. Behind Opitz sits his wife Ruth.

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Health & Nutrition: The X Factor

Opitz creates some commotion. In a seminar of its own, Opitz dishes out some uncomfortable truths about the state of the modern world. Citing his own experience of having been diagnosed with an incurable disease at age 13 that has since disappeared, the mood is set for inspiration.First comes his assertion that the US health system is currently ranked 128 out of 170 systems worldwide. This was a stellar reminder of the shortcomings of the developed world where health is concerned. Referring to the 1971 Nixon ‘war on cancer’, we learn that at the time, one in 7 were dying of the disease where this figure has now risen to 1 in 4. According to Opitz, 40 percent of Europeans suffer cavities due to the overuse of refined sugar following the agricultural revolution. In contrast, Opitz alludes to Weston Price, a theorist of the 19th and 20th centuries, on the relationship between nutrition and dental and physical health. Here we learn of the commonality that binds the South Indian and South Pacific peninsulas, mountainous countries such as Bulgaria, the Scottish islands and Switzerland, in addition to the forests of Latin America and parts of Canada. “What these differing regions of the earth enjoy together is a harmony with nature that induces longevity and a life free of physical pain associated with modern malignancies such as tuberculosis, angina and heart disease. In developed nations, we see the narrowing of the jaw within one generation due to the ‘soft food’ phenomenon. This invasive human intervention with primitive and therefore natural living is a gravely mistaken and misinformed phenomenon. Mammals can potentially live up to twice as long as their natural lifespan. Yet the average 130 grams of sugar Europeans and Americans are currently ingesting daily has induced cravings and ailments that culminate in an ongoing struggle to simply feel OK.”Enter cellular regeneration. We are told that if you induce satiation (fullness) at a cellular level, your pleasure instincts shall move in alignment. We are encouraged to recognize hunger not as a queue to pile up on energy-filled foods but as a healthy state of being. An opponent of big breakfasts, Opitz’s suggestion is not to have solid food upon awakening but to drink a glass of lukewarm water with

lemon and fresh mint, which cleanses the bloodstream and regulates blood sugar levels.His fondness for hunger inevitably reminds me of studies I had previously read citing the benefits of fasting (such as the recent article published on February 27 in the Daily Mail claiming that fasting can reduce dementia) and I couldn’t help but recall the obligatory and strenuous fasting regimen of the Islamic faith (Ali, cousin of the Prophet Mohammad, said ‘hunger nourishes the soul’. Equally so, the Prophet narrated that ‘we are a people who eat not until we are hungry and who never reach satiety when we do [eat].’) Welcome to the twenty-first century.So now for the real scoop which was at once absurd whilst somehow seeming

reward to anyone who could produce and acceptable form of butter or its derivatives.”Lunch, therefore, consists of raw coconut oil or one to 2 raw eggs in a high-speed blender with fruit, cardamom and honey. Outrageous, yes. Yet it always seems to be such extremities that reap fruit. Dinner could be a free meal of choice. In addition, eat monounsaturated fats in the form of nuts and avocado.For those who can stomach it, the high-speed blender undoubtedly maximizes nutritional assimilation and the foods to be blended do come from the ground, trees and poultry after all, so you cannot really go wrong given the variety and the quality of the food groups in question.The lesson that can be reaped from this set of unconventional teachings is that primitive is best. That, indeed, is a conclusion that many in the West, from yoga and meditation gurus to alternative medicine proponents, are reaching in their search for the equation to health and happiness.

Further Opitz Teachings:

• Use aluminum-free deodorant (the brand Vichy was mentioned in a group discussion).

• Substitute mammograms for traditional hand examinations. The mammogram machine was allegedly conceived during a competition to invent a device that would minimize radioactive material. The team that invented the mammogram machine won, the prize reportedly being worth $100,000. Paradoxically, the radiation produced by these machines could be cancer-causing.

• A Swiss physician reported that of 150 breast cancer patients, 140 of them (98%) had at least one root canal tooth “on the same meridian as the original breast cancer tumor.”

• Ultrasounds, a modern day technique to visually witness the development of a baby in uteri, can affect the baby’s hearing.

• Sun-gazing at sunrise and sunset enhances dopamine – the hormone that increases efficiency – as well as serotonin, the hormone responsible for feelings of happiness and well-being.Employees participate in the workshop

Dar Al-Hekma hosted Opitz in the House of Nassif, a historic family residence with vintage antiques, in the heart of the Old City in Jeddah.

“Mammals can potentially live up to twice as long as their natural lifespan. Yet the average 130 grams of sugar Europeans and Americans are ingesting daily has induced cravings and ailments that culminate in an ongoing struggle to simply feel OK.”

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Opitz outlines that there are three cognitive states that define our trajectory: the reptilian state, which depicts basic survival instincts, the limbic state, which is the social and developmental center of the brain, and the frontal cortex, the final stage of brain development to where signals from the reptilian and limbic brains flow. “The importance of the limbic state lies in its developmental capacity for the brain and our conditioning as children. This development is disrupted by the academic system. The final state of brain development, that of the frontal cortex, is where sensory integration takes place. The idea here is that attention should be spacious and full of awareness contrary to common belief that it should be exclusive. It is from the frontal cortex that we are taught how to assimilate and retain information naturally. The mind is elastic yet ironically, our use of it is limited by pre-defined systems. In relaxing the reptilian and limbic brain, neurotransmitters naturally flow into the frontal cortex and enhance its functioning.”

The Framework

The 3-day seminar entitled ‘The Genius Learning Workshop’ launched its agenda under three main headings. The first of the Opitz principles is encouraging the right use of the body during learning. “Long sessions of mental activity reduce neurotransmitter output, resulting in mental tension and ineffective learning. Where sitting and focusing for long periods of time is praised as a skill, it

actually undermines learning. Relaxation techniques and movement practices encourage sensory integration to induce relaxed alertness during learning sessions.”

A sample exercise: clockwise and anti-clockwise body rotationThe idea here is to rotate the body fully in both directions with the eyes at three different angles three times respectively, totaling 18 rotations (the three angles for the eyes are to the side above, to the side directly and to the side below). The clockwise body rotation as you gaze in these three directions 3 times each is intended to create positivity in thought where the anti-clockwise rotation aids in getting rid of negative thoughts.

Assimilation techniques are the second of the principles that Opitz proposes, where the natural (and not forced) assimilation of information which includes attributing facts to experiential events and incidents, in addition to building memory in an unconstrained setting, is said to release feel-good endorphins in the brain. “This, in turn, provokes the brain to allow one’s own unique thoughts and insights about a field of knowledge” asserts Opitz.

Aiding assimilation: the smile-and-dip techniqueSmiling, position eyes at the upper left corner, then dip eyes in a smiley movement to the upper right corner. Repeat 6 times.

The last of the learning techniques is that of visual reading. Opitz’s contention

is that reading for more than 20 to 25 minute segments induces tunnel vision, which, on a larger scale, seems to reflect the current human state. Being bound by routine and an endless series of time-sensitive tasks, the mind has little time to look up and become aware of its surrounding. This, in essence, accounts for the majority of people being ‘creatures of habit’.“Our visual system can assimilate information much faster than we can speak. Yet most people are bound by their speed of speaking when they read because they only learned to read while mentally speaking the words. Instead, what I teach is reading with a sense of awareness of one’s surrounding without becoming fixated on individual words and clauses.”

Speed-reading: skimming without skipping The idea here is to look at sentences as an interrelated whole and to not get bogged down in the literal sense. In essence, one can imagine the eye gliding over the text in a swift fashion to keep the sentences intact. Getting a general sense of the page actually induces retention of the broad meaning of the text.

Opitz at Dar Al-Hekma during a three-day seminar entitled “The Genius Learning Workshop”.

“If we assimilate information in the sense that we feel natural and at ease with it, the brain will remember it easily. This is why significant events from years ago are often remembered much better than study material from last week.”

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irrefutable. Green leaves account for 80 per cent of the diet of chimpanzees and gorillas (one can’t help but admire their energy). Chlorophyll condenses energy from the sun. Therefore, when eaten, natural energy is released. Enter green smoothies. Raw, green leafy vegetables are to be blended in a high-speed blender with your fruit of choice and condiments to taste – coriander, mint and parsley to name a few. This should produce a smooth yet chewable texture. This is food for the cells (and soul it seems) that should see you through to lunch, which should consist of raw, saturated essential fatty acids (the war on saturated fats has taken a new front).This was a second note of unconventional teaching (after having eliminating breakfast). Treading on thin and isolated ground from his fellow nutritionist colleagues, Opitz resorts to history once again. “In pre-revolution France”, Opitz says, “Napoleon III wrote letters to the poor and offered

Rassem Badran’s visit provided students at the School of Design and Architecture the chance to interact with and train under a distinguished

architect in the world of innovation and one whose edge over his fellow colleagues in the region lies in his determination to preserve heritage.

Of Palestinian descent, Rassem Badran was born in Jerusalem in 1945 in British Mandate Palestine. He was educated in the West Bank town of Ramallah and went on to pursue higher education in Germany where he received his degree in architecture. Badran has been a practicing architect in the neighboring country of Jordan since 1973 where cobblestone housing distinctly dots the desert landscape.

Amongst the numerous rewards received by this distinguished architect is the Aga Khan Award for architecture (awarded for his work on the Great Mosque of the capital city Riyadh), as well as the redevelopment of the Old City Centre, a heritage site that had previously began to disappear amidst the urbanization of the once barren city.

Entitled ‘Narratives’, the workshop sought to instill a sense of responsibility to history and heritage in eager young future builders. Along came a man who was to remind up and coming designers that whilst urbanization has catered for a great many, the vertical revolution should nonetheless not dilute the charm and originality of history and tradition.James Steels of the University of California wrote a biography about the pioneer where he defines his purpose beautifully:

“Badran designs buildings and environments that stand in stark

contrast to self-conscious, anonymous architecture devoid of any reference to people, place or culture. He offers a humane option to the deliberately commodified, blatantly branded, aesthetically objectified and environmentally inarticulate architecture that is becoming the norm in the developed world today.”

“His well-balanced education, beginning with a travelling apprenticeship with his father and continuing through a fertile and exciting time of experimental architecture in Europe has allowed him to weave a systematically rational, Western methodology with the intuitive traditions inherent in his own cultural background.”

Badran presented at the Hassan Fathy Award for Architecture in 2010, a fellow colleague of the 20th century and acclaimed Egyptian architect who re-established the use of mud brick traditional building layouts as an alternative to the Western building prototype, in addition to his acclaimed publication ‘Architecture for the Poor.’

As I sit down with the astute and modest pioneer, I expect a little more than an informative treatise of his trajectory. Instead, I am educated in building behavior and its relationship with social change.

“Urbanization has expanded to become an irrevocable global force. Housing and development projects continue to perpetuate with no understanding of building behavior as part of an interrelated whole with culture, history, heritage and most importantly, geophysical landscape. With the global population boom, focus has inevitably become placed on the quantitative rather than the qualitative. Giving a contemporary understanding of heritage

is of dire importance if we are to preserve what is left.”

“In Riyadh, there has been a clear erosion of the mud fabric used to build houses. I have worked closely with the Riyadh Development Authority to ensure continuity of culture through history as exemplified in the Prince Selman grand mosque and the revival of the old city.”

Badran asserts, for instance, that historic parts of the holy city of Medina, the place of burial of the Prophet Mohammad, had to be demolished for the expansion of the mosque, which occupies roughly 16000 square meters.

A panoramic view of Jeddah’s old city, the ‘balad’. This is the historical epicenter of Jeddah, the second largest city of Saudi Arabia (photography by Samar Al-Sayed).

Narratives on Urbanization and Heritage:Rassem Badran’s Exclusive Visit to the Hekma School of Design and Architecture Samar Al-Sayed

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The heart of Jeddah’s old city incorporates heritage, culture and spiritual symbols (photography by Samar Al-Sayed).

Photography by Samar Al-Sayed

A remodeling project completed by Badran for Kuwait National Bank in Amman, Jordan. Here, differing materials usually associated with certain genres are used in conjunction with one another in what he refers to as “skin morphology.”

“With regards to the holy city of Makkah, there is a fundamental need to re-evoke its inherited excellence in terms of housing structure.”

Where the Old City in Jeddah is concerned, Badran asserts that it is one of the first cities to be part reactivated in terms of the dated quarters. “The importance lies in giving an old city new life and reviving its spirit as it was when it was in its prime.”

Badran continues, “in a smaller Saudi city like Najran which has allegedly been ‘neglected’, there has been minimal infrastructural interference and as such it has been largely kept as it was.”

In a part of the world where families seldom recognize the arts as a legitimate path owing to the relative scarcity of career opportunities and it perception as not granting a ‘solid’ path that will ‘guarantee’ food on the table, Badran’s father was one of the few who encouraged early contact with tools and colors and openly welcomed expression through art and the abstract.

“The fact that I have been invited here is a highly positive indication to me that this is an institution that is seeking the essence of the meaning of real architecture. As a matter of principle, the female audience with which I have interacted these past few days seem much more serious, dedicated and passionate than some of the male audiences I have presented before regionally. It is heartening to see students of this caliber engaging in my narrative and goal to reinstate qualitative dwellings and residential quarters.”

To learn more about Badran’s initiatives and work, go to www.badrandesign.com.

Premier universities such as MIT and Harvard in the United States have accepted post-graduate students to submit research on Badran’s work. Pictured above is Badran with Dr. Mona Helmy, Architecture Program Director at Dar Al-Hekma.

Photography by Hiba El-Dada

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Contemporary Art, Modern History:

Samar Al-Sayed

Art meets history. Art meets memory. Art gives nostalgia visual form. Art expresses a plethora of dated emotion, mirroring pain and desire. Art gives voice to what Freud describes as wish fulfillment, offering farfetched hope just that: hope. Art is silence, art is eloquence. Art annihilates verbal clutter. Art says it all.Having spent the better part of her career giving Arab and Persian art a platform, Rose Issa, curator, producer and writer, stood on the Dar Al-Hekma stage with all the grace and humility of a true intellectual. That observation is a genuine one, one honestly and truly rarely witnessed in the creative industry.In addition to a presentation of the diverse range of work she has helped make famous, it was the sheer cultural volume that refreshed and revived the preoccupied mind. Simply put, the multi-ethnic dimension of Ms. Issa herself that evokes my envy. Persian yet Arab, Arab but francophone, French-educated yet a resident of the UK, that is the type of existence that, to me, is a golden minefield of novelty and one that I wish greatly to entertain one day.Born in Iran, Issa spent the last 30 years of her career in the cosmopolitan city of London after having lived in France, Iran and Lebanon. There she has her own project space in the borough of Kensington where she brings Eastern art to life and facilitating the sanctioning of many Eastern artists to the Western spotlights of fame and legitimacy.In addition, Issa launched the first-ever Arab Film Festival in 1982 in Paris and subsequently went on to liaise with foreign delegations at the Cannes Film Festival. For a further 26 years after that, she curated Arab and Iranian film seasons in Britain and abroad. Issa serves as an advisor to numerous international bodies in their acquisition of Eastern Art, including the Smithsonians and the World Bank in Washington DC, and the British Museum and Imperial War Museum in London.

1) Can you tell us your view on the role art plays particularly in the Arab world (and perhaps compare with its role in Europe if any).

The role of art in the Arab world is the same as the role of art elsewhere, except that the struggle for artists and gallerists is harder, as we have no public institutions with clear policy of supporting arts. 2) What is the importance of art in addressing socio-political and socio-economic issues?

The two are inextricably linked, yet nobody is obliged to cater for politics or other such issues. It is only if it comes naturally to the artist and is a part of the context of the life which he/she chooses to share through image. Indeed, many may be interested in abstraction, conceptual, aesthetic aspect of their culture or other culture.

3) Can you highlight what in your view were your most important exhibitions and if there are any patterns or themes that were particularly powerful.

When I first got a proper catalogue and documentation of the exhibition in 1995, along came a series of exhibitions in London - “Signs, Traces, and Calligraphy” and several solo shows such as Chant Avedissian and Khaled ben Slimane. in addition, there was a series of shows at Leighton House Museum, from Rachid Koraichi, Nja Mahdaoui, to Zenderoudi, to group shows.Even more so than the exhibitions, like the most recent ones in Beirut Exhibition Center, I enjoyed doing the catalogues and recent monographs and publications so there will be clear documentation of the work showcased.

4) What do you think the future holds for art in this region and how can more appreciation for the silent word be garnered in a region filled with logistical difficulties that allow little room for the imagination.

Everything can inspire a good artist; the proof is that even the desert towns and countries had poets.To become inspired, you have to have a need to express yourself, whether verbally, in writing, in painting or in architecture. In short, you need to shine through your work, which should be hard work coupled with sincerity in order to become original and really make your mark. As Jallaudin Rumi said 'whatever comes, comes from a need, a sore distress, a hurting want.'

5) Can you elaborate on issues of self, gender, war and exile and their relation to art?

Orson Wells, in “The Third Man,” said: “In Italy for 30 years under the Borgias they had warfare, terror, murder, and bloodshed, but they produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and the Renaissance. In Switzerland they had brotherly love - they had 500 years of democracy and peace, and what did that produce? The cuckoo clock.”

Iranian-born Issa (pictured left) has spent the better half of her career giving Eastern talent weight and presence on the Western artistic stage.

Iranian Artist Rose Issa

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A picture by Iranian-born (photographer Shadi Ghadirian) from the ‘Qajar Series’Rose Issa gives a presentation on an array of works which she has curated at her studio in London.

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Below is an excerpt from Rose Issa’s book Contemporary Art published by Booth-Clibborn:

"Representing significant trends of the Iranian art scene, Iranian Contemporary Art covers a wide range of styles, from calligraphic or abstract to figurative, and includes video photography and installations. It takes as a starting point a moment in the early 1960s when artists from Iran, fully acquainted with western art, sought inspiration from their own rich cultural heritage to produce distinctive forms of modern art. More recent works by a younger generation are shown, amongst them pieces that explore a conflict between modernism and tradition, or take a light-hearted look at the paradoxes of contemporary life."

For more information about Rose Issa’s exhibitions, visit www.roseissa.com

The Intellectual Crossroads

An excerpt from the book 'Edge of Arabia: Contemporary Art from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia'

"An Englishman and a group of Saudi artists met in southern Saudi Arabia under the glow of a neon palm tree, and they began to talk. All sorts of things might have happened next. They could have argued about each other’s politics, or, like so many conversations, they might have chatted amiably before going their separate ways. But this exchange was different. It led, ultimately, to this project.

The Englishman, Stephen Stapleton, had arrived in Saudi Arabia from Yemen in late March 2003, on the eve of the start of the last Iraq War. By chance, he had been invited to a little known artists’ village in Abha called Al-Meftaha, and it was here that he became friends with Ahmed Mater, Abdulnasser Gharem and a group of Saudi artists calling themselves Shattah (meaning: to be broken up or dismantled). On leaving Al-Meftaha they agreed to work together, and over the next nine years they created an arts initiative called Edge of Arabia. In time this would involve over sixty Saudi and Arab artists, lead to exhibitions around the world, an educational program reaching hundreds of schools and universities, and twelve publications translated into five languages.

Now, in 2012, it is tempting when thinking about how best to introduce Edge of Arabia to focus on the recent past, their exhibitions in Jeddah, Berlin and Istanbul, their work with institutions like the British Museum and Venice Biennale, or their collaboration with Abdul Latif Jameel Community Initiatives. But the best introduction is smaller and simpler: it is to focus on that initial encounter in 2003. This is not out of sentimentality, but because that meeting will tell you more about the character of Edge of Arabia than anything else can."

For more information, visit www.edgeofarabia.com.

"My Name Is" Workshop comes to Dar Al-Hekma

Edge of Arabia, an independent curator, launched the most significant survey of Saudi contemporary art ever held in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia this past spring.

The symposium and talks were held at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce.

The initiative fosters and incubates contemporary Arab art and culture with particular focus on Saudi Arabia. A social enterprise, Edge of Arabia contributes to the ultimate aim of promoting cross-cultural understanding through a range of platforms that include exhibitions, publications and educational programs that target schools and universities regionally and internationally.

Samia Khashogji, Assistant Professor at the Hekma School of Interior Design and founder of the 'Saudiaat Women Artist Group', took part in the workshop which came to the Dar Al-Hekma campus.

“As the founder of the 'Saudiaat' Women Artists Group, I believe and strive to support women and their achievements. Empowering women and young artists is an important direction and goal in my life now.

The workshop was entitled 'My Name Is’, aimed to use symbolism to define and assert the principle of identity. During the workshop, participants were shown a short movie interviewing a diverse age group of the Saudi male population.

Much to our surprise, the older generation has fewer reservations in naming their mothers, wives, sisters and other female loved ones, while the younger generations were complacent of even mentioning their mothers’ name."

Speaking of her experience, Samia says:

“Manal took us through the workshop in an informal atmosphere that got our creative juices flowing. The group spirit was refreshing. Each of us was given a large bead on which to write her name. Mine is proudly centered in one of the praying beads (Subha) that were showcased at Edge of Arabia’s recent exhibition ‘Let Us Talk’ at the Park Hayat Hotel.”

“The venue and diverse collection of conceptual artists work was impressive and promising. I hope that Edge of Arabia diversifies in supporting other types of Saudi Art that may not be as atypical or contemporary but yet still represent authentic Saudi art.”

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Sheikh Saleh Kamel, founder and owner of Dallah Al-Barakah Group. Sheikh Kamel is the official sponsor of the MBA launch at Dar Al-Hekma.

The Ceremony

The launching ceremony featured a dialogue moderated by Mr. Hussein Shobokshy between Dr. Abdullah Al-Turkstani and Dr. Faisal Al-Utbani, the Dean and Vice Dean of Islamic Economics at King Abdul Aziz University respectively, and Sheikh Saleh Kamel. In the seminar entitled “Islamic Finance: Practices and Challenges”, Sheikh Kamel explains that Islamic Finance dates back to the days of Prophet Abraham since interest is also prohibited in Christian and Jewish faiths, and being such an encompassing system of finance, restricting it to Islamic banking or merely interest prohibition limits its use. The dialogue also covered some of the hindrances facing Islamic banks today, such as the client-bank relationship and the lack of support from central non-Islamic banks, proposing solutions to underlying problems.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the President of Dar Al-Hekma, Dr. Suhair Al-Qurashi remarked, “Dar Al-Hekma is an unconven-tional educational institution boasting an internationally acclaimed curriculum and over 100 extra-curricular activities. Our students’ learning is richer, hence their religious, intellectual, physical, personal, and social dimensions thrive. In addition, Dar Al-Hekma is a medium that encourages cultural diversity and has students, faculty, and staff from over 38 different nationalities - a chance to broaden horizons that is not offered in other higher learning institutions. We are proceeding with our expansion and growth plans with our eyes set on a single goal: to graduate accomplished women, leaders and entrepreneurs, and so this program was brought forth to lay the ground for the additional graduate programs in the college in the near future.”

The Official Launch of the Dar Al-Hekma MBA Program

About the MBA ProgramBuilding on the success of its popular undergraduate programs and owing to the scar-city of qualified business managers and innovative leaders, the Hekma School of Busi-ness launched the MBA program to serve the needs of aspiring professionals working in diverse fields to enrich their knowledge and enhance their expertise. This qualifica-tion aims to fulfill the requirements of employers in the private and public sectors, as well as those individuals aiming to start their own entrepreneurial ventures.The MBA Program at the Hekma School of Business has been developed under a program delivery agreement with UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education at the Haas School of Business. MBA courses are taught by a group of committed, high-caliber faculty members from various international backgrounds and are delivered through diverse teaching strategies which comprise case studies, projects, role plays, field trips, and regular classroom lectures. In addition, MBA students get to engage in workshops and trainings to develop a superior edge in the workplace and enhance their chances for employment, an end to which Dar Al-Hekma provides numerous means, namely through organizing career events and job placements. An exciting upcoming addition to the Hekma School of Business graduate program’s portfolio is the MBA in Islamic Finance. Sponsored by Sheikh Saleh Kamel, the pro-gram combines deeply-rooted theories with modern practices and skills. As a part of its aim to become a center of excellence in Islamic Finance, Dar Al-Hekma will provide advanced knowledge and skills to those wishing to develop their career in the field as financial consultants or managers.

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Dar Al-Hekma launched its Master of Business Administration (MBA) program in a grand ceremony held on May 27th of this year. The guest of honor was the Arab world’s business and Islamic finance expert, Sheikh Saleh Kamel, chairman of Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, founder of Dallah Al-Baraka Group and owner of the ART television network. Keynote speaker at the event was Professor Emeritus Andrew Shogan, the Dean of the Center of Executive Education at the Haas School of Business, University of California Berkeley.

Dr. Zuhair Fayez, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (pictured right) with Professor Andrew Shogan of the Haas Business School of the University of California at Berkeley (pictured left)

“I would highly recommend The MBA program offered at Dar Al-Hekma to females in the region.’’ Professor Emeritus Andrew Shogan, Former Dean of the Haas School of Business, University of California Berkeley.

Dr. Inass Ali, Business School Program Director (pictured left) and Dr. Amal El-Tigani, Vice Dean of Finance & Administration (pictured right)

Dr. Amani Mohammad, Graduate Studies Program Director speaking at the launch

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one with special needs and whose day-to-day quality of life is unnecessarily unpleasant due to a lack of catering for their problem. That is why I completed my PhD on quality of life and communication in patients with progressive neurological conditions.

There is a direct correlation between changes in communicative ability and quality of life. With illnesses such as Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis and Lou Gehrig’s disease, all forms of neurodegenerative disease, deterioration can span several years or it can be sudden. The grief and the logistical difficulties associated with such a diagnosis can be debilitating for entire family units.

During the course of my study, I got to gauge quality of life using different measures to observe how patients interact and how they change over time and how best to go about catering for these changes.

4) How would you rate progress in the speech language field in Saudi Arabia as compared to the UK or the USA?

This is a relatively new field and progress is slow. There are a lot more people working in the domain in the capital Riyadh than in other areas.There are linguistic & communicative factors that are specific to the culture.

A People’s Princess Her Royal Highness Princess Mashael bint Faisal Al-Saud

Graces Graduation Ceremony Devoted to Speech, Language and HearingSamar Al-Sayed

Princess Mashael bint Faisal al Saud is the crème de la crème of aristocracy. Born to affluence and royalty, this young princess opted to strive with the masses, for the masses, making her one of the few who use privilege exclusively to the advantage of others. In fact, her academic and professional road precludes any comfort, showcasing level-headedness and an opulent desire for real, substantial difference.

The domain of special needs requires resilience. It requires a level of selflessness and pragmatism that not many people would willingly indulge in. Which makes it all the more bewildering to learn that a young Saudi woman who had countless other career choices chose one that requires unprecedented groundwork, indeed, as it is still in its embryonic phase with much to be established.

Dar Al-Hekma caught up with the rare and ambitious princess to learn more about the road to a new horizon.

1) Coming from the privileged background in which you grew up, what inspired you to continue your education to the very end of the line?

Upon my completion of high school, I wondered what to do. I didn’t have a clear vision of where I was going but I knew that I did not want to take on a routine job or office work. I wanted to enter the medical field without having to go down the path of medicine. I enrolled in at the College of Allied Medical Sciences at King Saud University in Riyadh where I completed my bachelor’s degree. They have a number of programs within the college, including speech language pathology, physical therapy, nutrition and other such allied professions.

2) What inspired you to choose this field in particular?

My introductory year to the field took place at King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Jeddah. I spent the day toying with different professions within the field. My encounter with speech language pathology proved to me that this is where I belong and essentially what I want to do. I had the opportunity to watch clinicians work and interact with different clients. What touched me was how involved the profession requires you to be with the education, family environment and schoolwork of the client. In other

words, as a speech language pathologist, you have to look at the holistic spectrum of the client’s life in order to make a significant difference and I thoroughly enjoyed the prospect of such a level of involvement.

The following year, I enrolled in the speech language pathology program. I moved to Boston in 2000 to study for an MSc in Communication Science Disorders at the Institute of Health Professions, an independent graduate school founded by Massachusetts General Hospital that offers speech-language pathology.

Following the completion of my masters, I came back in 2002 and worked at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital until 2008 when I left to complete my PhD at the University College of London. I thoroughly enjoyed my PhD years. It differed from the undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in that I got to conduct my own research that was based solely on the Saudi population. It was a far cry from the lab work I had previously undertaken. It was a highly individualist experience and I got privileged one-on-one time with my professors. Nevertheless, being scarcely involved at the university campus made it a very lonely experience.

3) What was your objective in entering the field that you did?My main concern was catering for families in the country who have a loved

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The graduating class of Speech, Language and Hearing

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Dr. Suhair Hassan Al-Qurashi, President of Dar Al-Hekma, inaugurates the 2012 graduation which had as its theme speech, language and hearing sciences.

That, combined with a scarcity of knowledge, amounts to a challenge that we have yet to conquer. In particular, we have a more challenging framework for sound development, as our phonetics are unique. As such, we must devise our own tests and measures suited to our language. Thankfully, the Internet age has allowed us to transcend boundary and culture to engage in the exchange of ideas online, not least through social networking.

5) What accounts for the lack of awareness of this very prevalent and dated problem and how can this be rectified?

There is a stigma that is slowly but surely being eradicated. During the course of my career, interviewing adult patients has regularly been part of my job. I often heard the answer “I don’t want to go out because I don’t want people to think I’m different; I don’t want to be judged.” Nevertheless, a great many patients in Riyadh came in and sought assistance. The key to creating lasting change in any domain is through educational awareness and more importantly, having something to offer.

For example, one way to create immediate improvement in any community is to provide augmentative devices and to improve the immediate environment of those in need. The only factor that is difficult to address is the matter of speech as it pertains to the direct environment. Those who accept the initial methods of help must eventually receive long-term treatment, or at the very least, management for the condition. This is especially true of the degenerative and terminal illnesses that I have worked with. There is definitely a window of space to improve, or at least maintain, the quality of life of patients with special needs.

6) As you know, disabilities of this kind are often diagnosed too late owing to a lack of acknowledgement of such a condition within family and professional circles from the early onset. In what ways can we involve the general public to engage them to improve the collective quality of life of individuals suffering from this impairment?

At this stage, I would stress on the need for awareness campaigns. There was a student club at King Saud University that embarked on an extensive media campaign. They set up camp at big shopping centers in Riyadh and remained there for a week. They addressed voice problems but also raised awareness about speech knowledge. They approached members of the public, set up big banners and stands and created

informative, informal, mini-sessions with children. This was a supervised student club. They had organized the event through Facebook, which just goes to show the power of social media and its ability at creating momentous change. This reminds us that if the family of a special needs child is unaware of their child’s issue, they would not know how to address it, which makes such campaigns all the more vital.

7) How important is the presence of qualified Speech, Language, and Hearing Science professionals in schools?

Speech language pathology is becoming increasingly viewed as a medical profession so you often see this specialty at hospitals. Sixty percent of cases are children. I would like to see further involvement in school systems. In fact, several schools should cover this domain across all geographical locations. There should also be a clear-cut system to refer them to a speech language pathologist. Above all, we need to teach teachers to recognize the symptoms. Children who are diagnosed with language disorders need to be seen two to three times per week. Hospitals cannot accommodate for this as they more involved with in-patients immediate problems.

In the U.S., it is a legal requirement for schools to either provide or to be provided with special needs services and speech therapists, either physiological or occupational. Each district has a therapist who goes around into the classrooms of different schools. While we are miles away from this, we must strive to normalize such a practice within schools and battle its stereotype as a medical condition.

8) Do you think this is a gender-based domain?

The ratio of female interns where I worked was 6:1. Though swallowing and voice disorders are often diagnosed in men, you rarely see males working in the language & speech domain. In fact, this seems to be a global phenomenon. There were over 40 females in the program I attended in the States and fewer than 5 men.

9) What obstacles have you faced in reaching your individual aspirations?

Thankfully, I happen to be a hard worker who is supported greatly by my family. A memorable challenge is my beginnings at King Faisal following the completion of my masters degree. You come back with an idealistic view and a solid and high expectation of how things are supposed to be, but in reality, it turned out to be

too much work so I had to resign myself to the fact that I can’t do everything, re-focus myself to the facts on the ground and remain pragmatic in the face of the shortages. Essentially, you have to build up to get to where you want to go no matter how strong your educational background is. I thoroughly enjoyed working with interns and new students to get them thinking in a productive yet fun way. People regularly ask questions so you have to think on your feet. That helped with the retention of information!

Another major challenge is getting people to respect your authority and know-how of the field. I was made head of the department at a mere 24 years of age. Being an age-oriented society, people associate legitimacy not only with degrees but also with age. It was a major challenge being heard.

10) Being one of the very few academic institutions in the Kingdom to offer speech, language and hearing sciences at university level, how can we further liaise with experts such as yourself to advance our joint mission of developing this much needed domain?

We are in dire need of graduates in this field. Now that I have shed light on the need for speech-language therapists on the ground in schools, I hope I have made a case for an academic-professional liaison that is mutually interdependent.

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Professor Khidr recieves the DAH Annual Prize for Outstanding Achievements from Dr. Suhair Al-Qurashi, President of Dar Al-Hekma.

We met with Dr. Aliaa Khidr, Professor of Communication Disorders at the Human Services Department at the University of Virginia, who won the Dar Al-Hekma Prize for Outstanding Achievements. In her visit to Dar Al-Hekma’s Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences Department, Dr. Aliaa points at the window of opportunity open to potential graduates of this department, elaborating on the challenges that are met by speech-language pathologists in the region due to a lack of public awareness to communication disorders and the scarcity of facilities that tend to such problems. Dar Al-Hekma was honored to have Dr. Aliaa give a speech at the college’s graduation ceremony this summer.

What inspired you to choose this field in particular?

I chose it because at the time of my graduation in 1983, that field was very new in Egypt. Part of me really wanted to make a difference and I realized the only way I could accomplish that was through majoring in the youngest specialty in the field. I was only the 7th faculty member of this major. I also had another need in me that had to be met. Having been raised in England and having traveled extensively, I loved to connect and being part of the speech pathology field, I had just that at my disposal. Due to the scarcity of people involved in SLHS, there was a lot of debate raging on. Since speech pathology is still very new in the Middle East, graduates of Dar Al-Hekma have

Professor Aliaa Khidr: The Winner of the Dar Al-Hekma Annual Prize for Outstanding Achievements

the same opportunity to initiate change in the same way that I did.

Have you had the chance to speak to some of our students?

I was impressed to have met all 19 students, 4 of which are graduating this year and who have all shown enthusiasm for pursuing postgraduate studies. Apart from Dr. Areej Al-Asseri, Director of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences at Dar Al-Hekma, and HRH Princess Mashael, I haven’t had the luck of working with people who have possessed even a Master’s degree. We are hoping, however, that there will be more Saudi women who are seeking higher education in this field.

What message would you convey to anyone who might be interested in the field?

Speech pathology is one of the most diversified fields. Graduates can serve a pediatric, adult or geriatric population within a school setting or a rehabilitation facility, or invest their clinical expertise in a medical specialty such as voice and swallowing, articulation and speech, or hearing sciences. After meeting the requirements of the American Speech and Hearing Association, which is the only professional organization in the world so far, the chances of growth and learning are limitless. Since this is a diverse with much to be explored field, a lot of traveling across countries and continents is involved. A professional may choose to work for humanitarian

causes, helping people in underprivileged countries, for instance.

In what ways can we engage the general public?

Communication disorders in the Middle East come with a stigma. Raising a child with a communication disorder is even harder when parents neither detect nor admit the problem at an early stage. Even if help is sought, there is a lack of facilities offering extensive aid. Raising awareness is the key. Everyone should be involved, from high school kids to university students majoring in the field to medical staff in hospitals. It should be noted that as awareness increases, so will the need for resources and qualified professionals who speak the native language of their working environment. However, our hopes are still high that there will be a wider coverage in terms of areas and services.

How can you describe your experience working in Saudi Arabia?

Having seen the advanced models used in the USA in every school, university, hospital, or rehabilitation center, I’d love to see those in my home country Egypt and in Saudi Arabia. Sadly, most of the academic material is translated and not standardized. We can’t stress enough on the dire need for professionals with high qualifications such a Master’s or PhD degree in a related field in order to initiate advancement on this pivotal front.

“A lot of people take their hearing for granted; I am not one of those people. 278 million people around the world have hearing loss, including me.

When I’m with my friends, I often don’t hear what is said and miss out on the laughter.

Sometimes I pretend to hear the words so I can fit in, but often I am told “it’s not important”.

My mother never lets me walk alone in the street because I do not hear car horns.

Sometimes, I miss out on games with friends.

My friends have to make a conscious effort to look at me and speak slowly for me to understand.

Because I got my hearing aid at a later age than children today get theirs, I have speech problems.

I am now a college student trying to move on in my life.

It remains a daily challenge for me to hear words, understand them and learn them just to fit in.

I am not complaining. I am really thankful for the hearing I have.”

It is never too late.With the right information, you can diagnose hearing loss early and improve the quality of life of your loved ones.

Dar Al-Hekma’s Big WinAt The Ministry of Higher Education’s 3rd Scientific Conference

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Featured below is the speech, language & hearing script created by Dar Al-Hekma student Reem Mohammad who earned a first place win in the short film documentary category for her film “Never Too Late.” Reem was up against 158 contestants in that same category. The script later went on to be the theme of this year’s graduation ceremony.

Veronica Laughlin, Lecturer in Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences, sheds light on the new SLHS clinic where she shall serve as Clinical Coordinator. The SLHS Center at Dar Al-Hekma is the first center in the Kingdom to provide speech and hearing services within a College campus.

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Mrs. Ban Ki-Moon:A First-Time Visit by the UN's First LadyZeina El-Hoss

A United Nations delegation led by Madam Yoo Soon-Taek, wife of the U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, visited Dar Al-Hekma last June along with the wives of high-profile delegates from Belgium, Indonesia, Morocco, Algeria and China. They were joined by Mrs. Füsun Ihsanoğlu, wife of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Secretary General. This exclusive visit to Dar Al-Hekma highlights the role the institute plays in the region as a premier institution of higher education for women in Saudi Arabia.

The President of Dar Al-Hekma, Dr. Suhair Al-Qurashi, expressed great delight at hosting Mrs. Ban Ki-Moon and her delegation. “I honor Mrs. Ban Ki-Moon’s commitment to community service through volunteering and empowering women and their families,” remarked Dr. Al-Qurashi.

During their two-hour visit, members of the U.N. delegation toured the college campus and met with faculty, students and alumnae who showcased their achievements and expressed gratitude to the College for its support and encouragement throughout their years both on campus and beyond.

In response, Mrs. Ban Ki Moon thanked Dr. Al-Qurashi, the faculty and staff members for their hospitality, saying she was greatly impressed by the students’ active participation in international events and activities, as well as their scientific and professional accomplishments, adding that U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon has always been a proactive supporter of women around the world.

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Mrs. Ban Ki Moon (center left) with Mrs. Füsun Ihsanoğlu, wife of OIC Secretary General, Ekmeleddin Ihsanoğlu (left), and delegates from Belgium and Algeria at Dar Al-Hekma

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Mrs. Ban Ki Moon with Dina Madani, a Dar Al-Hekma alumna who now serves as Political Officer for Asia Affairs, Department of Minorities, Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)

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The Haas School of Business International Business Development Program at Dar Al-HekmaA team of four young MBA professionals from the International Business Development Program at the Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley, delivered a three-day work shop on entrepreneurial leadership.

The MBA students from Berkeley came from different educational backgrounds and expertise with degrees spanning engineering,

product design, computer science and economics.

Offering a solid curriculum based on case studies and interactive learning, their presentations were supported by local expertise and support groups. Workshop participants had the privilege of learning the skills and knowledge needed to launch

and run a successful business enterprise.

The curriculum included instruction on entrepreneurship including: developing a business model, use of strategic management tools, customer relations, revenues streams, pricing strategies, costing and margin, SWOT analysis, introduction to key marketing topics, the Four P’s, working effectively

in groups, developing personal leadership style, negotiating effectively and pitching and selling.

Over the course of the workshop, where a 5-year fundraising plan was collectively drafted, there were several interactive breakout sessions which provided attendees with a hands-on learning experience and an opportunity to share their own views and experiences with

peers and instructors.

Workshop leaders included Alia Al-Kasimi (center left above), a Moroccan born MSc graduate in Computer Science from Indiana University and former consultant who is currently working on creating consumer packaged goods that manufacture Moroccan products, Melissa Milan (center), a graduate of Smith College in Massachusetts

and former consultant who is in the process of creating an apparel company for an underserved key female demographic, and Vanessa Barros (center right), a Chilean-born Australian volunteer who helps train underprivileged women manage their own business.

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Alia Al-Kasimi (left), Melissa Milan (center) and Vanessa Barros (right) gave the 3-day workshop designed to foster skills for launching and running a successful enterprise.

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Can you please tell us a bit about the award and how you came to know about the competition?I heard about the competition from my colleagues at work who encouraged me to enter the competition.

What did it feel like to win?Other than the great boost in confidence, it really felt good to see that other people appreciate good design.

What effect did Dar Al-Hekma have on your creativity and motivation which in turn led to your winning of the prize?Dar Al-Hekma was the first step. I became the designer I am today from the growth I experienced whilst there. Even though I have learned a lot since I graduated through work experience, Dar Al-Hekma was the key to my career in design.

Have you decided what you will spend the money you've won on?

Not really, but I know that I will endeavor to help those in need and invest the rest in my future.

What was the biggest motivational factor in your entering of the competition?

All my friends and family around me who were so sure I was going to win even when I was sure I wasn't.

I catch up with Dania Basrawi to discuss her big win of 50 thousand Saudi Riyals with Okaz, a Saudi newspaper in the Arabic language, for innovative excellence in the media. Basrawi won the award after designing a poster (pictured right), aimed at reducing waste along the shoreline. The poster reads ‘Jeddah: The Bride of the Red Sea’.

Graphic Design graduate Dania Basrawi wins SR 50,000 with Okaz for Innovative Excellence

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The poster for which Basrawi won the award reads ‘Jeddah: The Bride of the Red Sea.’

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Noura Mansouri, MIS graduate, class of 2003, is currently completing her PhD in environmental innovation at Queen Mary, University of London.

Zaina Al-Kubaisy, MIS graduate, class of 2005, won the Mark Treglown Award at the University of Nottingham for the best MSc dissertation in the MIS and IT domains. Zaina is currently completing her PhD in management information systems at Nottingham University.

Reem Abuzeid, Interior Design graduate, class of 2012, is the first alumnae set to graduate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Reem is currently completing an MSc in architecture.

Wafaa Al-Johani, Special Education graduate, class of 2011, was appointed by His Royal Highness Prince Khalid Al-Faisal as ambassador to the Arab Thought Foundation. Wafaa worked at the Jeddah Institute of Speech & Hearing (JISH) as an applied behavioral therapist before going on to pursue higher studies in the United States.

Carbothera TechnologyArrives at KSAJameela Sawaf, a Banking and Finance graduate of Dar Al-Hekma and later an MBA graduate of Waterloo, shares her trajectory to success

“Upon my return from Canada early last year, I suddenly conjured up a dream of starting my own business. During 2010-2011, I worked at an investment company as a financial advisor where I met my partner Summayyah Bahazeq. Summayyah introduced me to the idea of bringing “Carbothera” technology to Saudi Arabia from Japan.

Carbothera, or the CO2 foot bath therapy, has been developed in Japan as a means for healing diabetic foot ulcers caused by ischemic disorders such as arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO) and peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD).

Over the course of six months, we carried out extensive market studies in addition to a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis. Upon filing for legal documentation with our mother company, Salamat Al-Qadam for medical equipment, we became the sole representative for the Carbothera machine in the Kingdom.

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder. More than 100 million people throughout the world today suffer from various complications of the disease. Among the most severe complications associated with diabetes mellitus are the deep tissue lesions of the foot known collectively as “diabetic foot.” Until recently, the lack of an effective therapy for diabetic foot has led many patients with such complications down an inexorable and tragic path toward amputation of the foot.

The first clinic treating with Carbothera technology in Jeddah was in the Al-Khaledeyyah district under the supervision of distinguished orthopedic surgeons from King Abdul Aziz University Hospital.

The future is bright for diabetic patients suffering this effect of their disease. The Salamat Al-Qadam company is planning to make the Carbothera form of therapy accessible to each and every patient at a reasonable cost across the Kingdom.”

For more information, visit www.co2bath.com.

Alumnae Achievements at-a-Glance

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Al-Anoud Al-Zahrani, MIS graduate, class of 2012, came first place in the Prince Mohamed Bin Fahad Youth Leadership Award. Al-Anoud currently works at the National Commercial Bank and is the co-founder of ‘Iqraa Umma’, a book vending that was featured in the ‘Khawaater’ series on MBC.

(From left) A model of a small neighborhood designed by first-year architecture students, an architectural project from the course entitled ‘course generation & visualization’ (center) and a mosque project which was the fruit of a 3-day workshop headed by renowned architect Rassem Badran (top right).

Dr. Ahmad Bin Muhammad Al-Saif, Deputy Minister of Higher Education, graced the 2012 architectural exhibition.

The 2012 Interior Design Exhibition entitled “Framing the Future” showcased the works of senior students.

The Dar Al-Hekma Exhibitions

Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Khodairi, Deputy Governor of the Makkah region, launches the annual graphic design exhibition entitled ‘Rock, Paper, Scissors.’

Graphic Design student Rasha Al-Amoudi discusses her project with Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Khodairi, Deputy Governor of the Makkah region.

The 2012 Graphic Design Exhibition entitled “Rock, Paper, Scissors” showcased the work of our senior students.

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We all hear of the odd aging relative – or more shockingly, a young and healthy acquaintance – developing “type 1” or “type 2” diabetes, and we all surely know it has something to do with sugar (the Arabic for diabetes is merely taken from that very word). But just how does it work?

Dubbed the most rapidly growing illness of the 21st century, the diabetes epidemic is costing global governments and threatening our quality of life.

The Dar Al-Hekma annual awareness day showcased the indicators and remedies of this century’s most prominent illness.

Diabetes Awareness Day

What is diabetes?Type one diabetes refers to the destruc-tion of insulin-producing cells in the body (insulin facilitates glucose entering into the bloodstream) where type 2 diabetes refers to bodies that contain inferior lev-els of insulin used inadequately (insulin resistance).

In the Middle East, the figure is as high as 25% especially in the Gulf countries where a sedentary lifestyle prevails ow-ing to hot weather and lack of pedestrian roads. In North America, large-scale manufacturers of “the white killer” refined sugar, one in five men over 50 suffer from the disease. Even in devel-oping countries such as India, where morbid obesity rates stand at a relatively modest rate of 5% as compared to 35% in developed North America, the figure for diabetes nevertheless stands at approximately a staggering fifth of the population, signaling that this is as much hereditary as it is lifestyle-related.

Key facts• 346 million people worldwide have

diabetes.• In 2008, an estimated 3.4 million

people died from consequences of high blood sugar.

• More than 80% of diabetes deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.

• Diabetes is predicted to become the seventh leading cause of death in the world by the year 2030.

• The WHO projects that deaths from diabetes will double between 2005 and 2030.

• Healthy diet, regular physical activity, maintaining a normal body weight and avoiding tobacco use can prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.

• Diabetes is a leading cause of blindness, amputation and renal failure.

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Under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Seeta Bint Abdallah Bint Abdulaziz and in collaboration with Jeddah’s Green Team, Dar Al-Hekma hosted the first ever forum on well-being and exercise.

The first of its kind in the city of Jeddah, the forum was entitled ‘Al Haraka Baraka’, or ‘movement is a blessing’, which aimed to raise awareness on health, nutrition and fitness in a region where a wholly sedentary lifestyle is prevalent.The forum was attended by over

700 students from the College as an extracurricular program from within.

The forum hoped to achieve a milestone in health-related awareness and introduce the benefits and practical steps towards exercise in an informative yet recreational manner, which allowed participants to interact with the organizers to reap maximal benefit from their participation.

Did you know?Walking just three times per week for 30 minutes slashes the risk of heart-disease-related death by up to 60 percent.

Exercise greatly increases oxygen flow to the brain, thereby slowing mental decay and building brainpower in ways that thinking cannot.

Exercise increases levels of the feel-good hormone serotonin, the brain hormone that fights depression naturally.

Exercise helps with the release of endorphins, neurotransmitters that are natural stress and pain fighters within the body.

Strength training in the form of squats, pushups and lifting weights for 15 to 30 minutes just 3 times a week sharply protects against osteoporosis, a disease of the bones that greatly increases risk of fracture (bone density can decrease by up to 40% at menopause).

Exercise is a natural combatant to high-blood pressure as it regulates circulation and rids the body of toxins and lipids (fat) in the blood.

150 minutes of cardiovascular exercise has been shown to be a guaranteed quota for weight maintenance where 250 minutes of exercise has been proven to induce significant weight loss.

Exercise is a natural solution to a host of other health-related issues such as diabetes (an excess of glucose in the blood), osteoarthritis (inflammation of the joints) and cancer of the colon.

Suzanne Zaidan, former Director of Student Development and Academic Support Services, said the following of the event that drew much praise from academic circles:

“It is truly inspiring to come across an institution devoted to introducing an otherwise sedentary generation to all-rounded development of the mind, body and soul.

Such was the spiritual nature of the “Al-Haraka Baraka Forum”, which lifted the spirits of the audience in a rare show of advocacy and interactive learning.

The sports ceremony, the first of its kind, succeeded not only on an operational level but also in instilling participants with a new attitude towards fitness and its urgency. It effectively showcased the spirit of determination of girls who have thus far been guided by Dar Al-Hekma›s Sports Director Maysoon Al-Sowayegh, who heads a distinguished yoga class at the College, in addition to sports including table tennis and basketball.

Al-Sowayegh is a medical health specialist who has successfully combined her medical knowledge with her active life style experience to produce an energetic team that has engaged in impressive performances thanks to the vast number of training hours of practice and rehearsals.

The team’s uniqueness lies in its emphasis on the need for balance between the soul and the body which was the theme of the event. Balance will inevitably rebound to create young and energetic nurtured minds.”

Movement is a Blessing:A Forum to Encourage Fitness

Diabetes: Know The SymptomsSymptoms for diabetes include:

• Increased urination, especially at night

• Rapid weight loss unattributed to diet or exercise

• Thirst• Fatigue• Regular episodes of thrush (genital

infection)• Blured vision• Slow healing of cuts and wounds

33 34Organizers of the forum were chosen from amongst students to volunteer in this initiative.

Dar Al-Hekma organized the 3rd Annual Sports Tournament, which included prominent higher education institutions, in addition to both national and international schools across Jeddah. Participants included students from Effat University, the Faculty of Medicine, CBA College, Al-Hamra School, Global International School, Qous Al-Naser International School, and Al-Wadi International School, in addition to Dar Al-Hekma’s own team and the Jeddah Green Team. The Dar Al-Hekma Team won first place in basketball, table tennis and badminton. The tournament attracted an impressive turnout of 500 attendees between participants and spectators.

Dar Al-Hekma Team Achievements at The Third Annual Sports Tournament

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Dar Al-Hekma Takes Part inBMG Foundation Campaign

To conserve waterDid you know?

• 1 child dies every 20 seconds from water-related diseases (United Nation Human Development Report 2006).

• The world’s supply of fresh water is running out. 1 in 5 persons has no access to safe drinking water (BBC News).

• About 80% of the world’s population (5.6 billion in 2011) live in areas with threats to water security (Nature 2010).

• Almost one fifth of the world’s population (about 1.2 billion people) live in areas where water is scarce (Cape Water Solutions 2010).

To act on these concerns,one of the Millennium Development Goals is to reduce the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and sanitation to half by 2015. Accordingly, the World Water Council 2010 proposed the following measures to achieve the goal:

1. Guarantee the right to water.2. Decentralize responsibility for water.3. Develop know-how at a local level.4. Evaluate and monitor water resources.

The BMG Foundation is a leading NGO endorsing corporate cultural responsibility. Earlier this year, the BMG Foundation invited Dar Al-Hekma to take part in a GCC-wide student competition under the theme ‘Our Water, Our Life’.

The competition called on university students to submit innovative and creative awareness campaign ideas aimed at guiding households on how to apply different efficient methods for water conservation.

The BMG Foundation toured 10 different GCC cities including Riyadh, Khobar, Jeddah, Kuwait ,Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Manama, Doha, and Muscat to raise awareness of this critical issue and to rally up the talents and creativity of youth that are mindful of our environment and its safekeeping. The program provided youth with stark, authentic statistics on water to inspire and instill a sense of ownership to do the utmost in preserving water.

The foundation partnered with the Ministry of Water and Electricity on this initiative. The competition gives students a chance to propose a powerful, eye-opening and, ultimately, earth-saving water conservation awareness campaign that we will run across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The winning idea will be implemented for 6 months from July to December 2012, with credit given to the winning student and his or her school or university. Furthermore, the top three groups will also be granted an internship or training opportunity.

Alaa Al-Mizyen

Earlier this year, the Istathmir organization, consisting of a team of Dar Al-Hekma students, held “The Raise Awareness Forum” in the Prince Bandar Bin Sultan Auditorium. Open free-of-charge to women all over the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the forum aimed to raise awareness on breast cancer issues and to familiarize women with some of the nation’s leading doctors and specialists in the field. The forum was exclusively sponsored by Saudi retail company, Femi9.Speakers at the forum included Dr. Ayman Linjawi on “Common Breast Cancer Misconceptions”, Dr. Modi Batterjee on “The Journey of Al Bidayah Center”, Dania Al-Masri on “Saudi Arabia’s initiatives for Breast Cancer Awareness 2011”, Said Baaghil on “Motivation for All” and Inass Zakout on “The Nurse’s Role in the Fight Against Breast Cancer”. Apart from the dynamic line-up of speakers, the highlight of the forum was the live X-factor style judging of the “Raise Awareness Competition”, an Istathmir initiative which took place in strategic partnership with Al-Bidayah Breastfeeding Resource and Women’s Awareness Center. The center ran workshops throughout the month of October urging Saudi Arabia’s youth to create and develop breast cancer awareness campaigns via social marketing. Four finalists, Fayez Iqbal, Jawaher Zahran, Mohammad Fathallah, and Diana Al-Khateeb were chosen out of a pool of competition applicants from

across the Kingdom to present their breast cancer awareness campaign ideas to a panel of judges and the audience at the forum.The first place winner was Fayez Iqbal, creator of “The Pink Drive” campaign. Second place went to Mohammad Fathallah who came up with the idea of projecting a pink ribbon on the Jeddah fountain, in addition to floating hot air balloons around the city. Third place went to Jawaher Zahran who presented a campaign for uniquely designed t-shirts for the cause. Audience members also began initiating ideas on how the local community could work towards raising awareness while certain members from the panel of judges offered to undertake and implement some of the contestants’ campaigns.Students, speakers, and audience members alike were given the opportunity to engage proactively in the fight against breast cancer in solidarity with millions of women who are affected by this disease every single year.

Dar Al-Hekma Hosts Forum on Breast Cancer

Dar Al-Hekma College, in collaboration with Alaa Al-Mizyen, was host to the ‘Raise Awareness Forum’ on 26th October 2011 to raise awareness about breast cancer. Speakers at the forum included Dr. Ayman Linjawi, Dr.Modi Batterjee, Mr. Said Baaghil and Ms. Dania Al-Masri.

‘Half the battle is knowing, the other is going. Now you know, go’

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Facing the ‘C’ Word‘Each time we face our fear, we gain strength, courage and confidence in the doing’ (Anonymous)

Rabia Bokhari

Every woman has fears. Multitudes of them. The fear of losing a loved one, the fear for the health, safety and success of her family, the fear of aging, and scores more. However, there dwells a fear deep inside a woman’s psyche, in a box, taped and padlocked, and marked ‘Do not open. Ever.’ That is the fear of breast cancer.Every woman knows about it, has met someone who has had it, and deep down, realizes the possibility that she could get it. So what preventive measures does she take? She goes into a mode of denial and abnegation and adopts the ‘ostrich mentality’: proverbially burying her head in the sand and pretending that the risk doesn’t exist, with good reason too! Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the world, and the principle claimant of womens’ lives globally. It is a known fact that 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. In 2010 alone, 1.5 million women in the world were diagnosed with breast cancer. Then, there is the stigma. Husbands may divorce, friends might desert, technicians and doctors might be male, and then of course we have the hardship of chemotherapy. So, women take the easy way out: they avoid getting a screening so that they can never be diagnosed, deny themselves the chance of getting treatment, and offer themselves as willing

victims to the world’s deadliest killer.Women forget the superhuman strength that they have been blessed with. Women forget that they shine the brightest in the face of adversity. Women forget the contributions they have made to make the world what it is today. Women forget that history is littered with the names of women who have shown tremendous courage and excellence in every sphere of life that they have set foot in, whether it is the battlefield, or the fields of politics, education, trade, nursing or medicine. Women forget that they need to care for themselves. Women forget that without them, there would be no world.To care, women need to know: the highest chance of victory in the battle against cancer is to diagnose it early. If diagnosed in its early stages, there is a 95% chance of being cured.

What is breast cancer?Our body has genes responsible for regulating the growth of cells and keeping them functioning healthily. Cells undergo a natural life cycle where old cells die and new, healthy ones take their place. Over time, however, certain abnormal changes occur in the genes affecting their ability to regulate cell growth. The unregulated cells then gain the ability to keep on dividing themselves without control, and producing more cells like themselves

that combine to form a tumor. Tumors can be benign or malignant. Benign tumors consist of cells which multiply slowly, are close to normal cells in appearance, and do not invade other tissues or spread to other parts of the body. Benign tumors are not cancerous, and therefore, not dangerous. Malignant tumors, on the other hand, are cancerous, can spread to other parts of the body if left unchecked, and are potentially quite dangerous. A malignant tumor that has developed from cells in the breast is termed ‘breast cancer’.

Who is at risk for breast cancer?

• Anyone can get breast cancer, whether they have a high or low risk of getting it. However, knowing that there is a higher risk of breast cancer allows one to be more prepared.

• Gender: being a woman is the biggest risk factor for getting breast cancer. Men get breast cancer too, but their risk of getting cancer is 100 times lesser than that of women.

• Aging: the risk of breast cancer increases as one gets older. After the age of 40, women should get regular screenings to check for any abnormal growth. Nevertheless, women younger than 40 may still be at risk.

• Family History: if close family members (such as one’s mother, sister or daughter) have breast cancer, this doubles the risk.

• Lifestyle: a lack of exercise, regular consumption of alcohol and cigarettes increase the risk of breast cancer.

• Estrogen exposure: if the following scenarios apply to you, there may be a higher risk for getting breast cancer:

• You got your period before the age of 12.

• You have never had children, or had them after the age of 30.

• You have not breast fed.• You entered menopause after the

age of 55.• You were overweight after

menopause.• You are taking birth control pills.• You have used estrogen pills as

part of hormone replacement therapy.

How can breast cancer be detected?

• The most accurate methods of detecting breast cancer are mammograms (X-rays of the breasts), ultrasounds and MRIs. However, after the age of 20, it is very important to conduct self-examinations of the breasts and keep on the lookout for the following symptoms:

• Indentation and/or dimpling• Skin erosion• Redness, scaliness or hardening

of the breast’s skin• Clear or cloudy nipple discharge• Growing vein• Nipple retraction (turning inward)• Asymmetry• Swelling• Lump(s)

If you notice any of the above symptoms, immediately consult your doctor.

• It is important to note that many women commonly have lumps in their breasts which are unrelated to cancer. The distinction is that normal lumps feel like soft peas, while cancerous lumps feel like lemon seeds. However, it is advisable to consult with a doctor if any lump is felt.

• In addition to regular self-examinations, after the age of 40, it is important to go for a mammogram every one to two years.

What are some common myths associated with breast cancer?

• Antiperspirants cause cancer.

• Underwired bras cause breast cancer.

• Radiation from mammograms or other forms of cancer screening increases the risk of breast cancer.

• Getting breast implants increases the risk of cancer.

How can I reduce my risk of getting breast cancer?

While the risk of getting breast cancer can never be completely eliminated,

there are several steps that you can take to reduce it:

• Maintain a healthy weight. Reduce extra fat deposits around the belly.

• Exercise regularly. Your minimum target should be between 3- 5 hours a week.

• Quit smoking now.

• Eat a nutritious diet with plenty of fruit, vegetables, fiber and dairy products whilst limiting your intake of junk and fatty food.

• Maintain adequate levels of vitamin D by getting at least 15 minutes of peak sunshine 3 times a week, eating foods rich in Vitamin D and taking supplements if necessary.

• Buy pesticide-free, organic fruits and vegetables.

• Reduce your exposure to light at night and avoid night shifts where possible. While you are sleeping, your body needs darkness to produce a hormone called melatonin. Low levels of melatonin are also linked to breast cancer.

• Reduce your use of plastic products, especially containers for food and drink. Use containers of steel, glass or ceramic instead.

• Make sure that the cosmetics you use are free of parabens and phthalates. Visit the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) ‘Skin-Deep’ website to search for safe cosmetic products.

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Dar Al-Hekma Hosts Morningside Academy,the first workshop of its kind on a college campus

“Our son holds his head up now. He smiles, and according to him, he’s gaining knowledge. He’s gone up three grade levels, and we’re all thrilled. For years he was so frustrated by all that he wanted to learn, but couldn’t. Now, he stands proud of the work he has accomplished, has mastered the keys of learning and for the very first time, sees real possibility.”

Such was the sentiment of hopeful parents whose child attends Morningside Academy, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1980 in Seattle, Washington. The institution helps both elementary and middle school students with learning disabilities such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia or attention deficit disorder (ADD) get ahead.

There are no failure cases at Morningside Academy, which helps intelligent and able elementary and middle class children fill their learning gaps. It offers individualized

and small group instruction to students who were not able to pass grade levels because of their learning difficulties.

For the first time in Saudi Arabia, the Special Education Department at Dar Al-Hekma hosted the Morningside Academy to provide guidance to students at the department, as well as members of staff, on how to bridge and extend the Morningside model to their own needs during the course of their career. The full five-day workshops covered research-based teaching methods such

as Precision Teaching, Direct Instruction, Curriculum-Based Measurement and Fluent Thinking Skills.

Kris Melroe, the Assistant Director of schools and agencies of the Morningside Academy, came along with Deb Brown, Morningside Teacher’s Academy Consultant, where they coached around 35 members at Dar Al-Hekma in using evidenced-based practices in instruction, practice, assessment and measurement.

Hala Al-Atiyat

Privilege seldom comes, especially in the form of opportunity. Thus it was much to our delight to be afforded a platform in 'The Women as Global Leaders Conference', an initiative by the Zayed University in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, to present a comprehensive case for Dar Al-Hekma's capacity to create competitive advantage through social responsibility.

This year's conference theme, entitled 'Creating a Sustainable Future for The World' saw us highlight our initiative as a corporate strategy that creates strategic benefit for the College as well as for stakeholders.

Sarah Al-Sahibabi, Rawan Jumbi and Basmah Somali, all Banking and Finance graduates of this year and members of the Strategic Management class, were part of the team of presenters. Sarah and Rawan had their own parts in the

presentation and they handled the Q&A session with eloquence worthy of pride.

Being an international conference for female students with more than a thousand participants representing 100 universities from 40 countries worldwide multiplied the benefits to our students. They underwent an intensive course that included understanding different cultures, practicing professional networking, decision-making, negotiation, brainstorming, communication, leading and time management skills within three days.

Topics included corporate social responsibility, stakeholders approach (symbiosis view), competitive advantage and continuous development, all under the banner of strategic management. This work is currently being reviewed, edited and will be published soon upon final

approval.

I had never expected such a level of impact on the girls as they flew solo for the very first time. Confident, happy and passionate about the academic institution to which they belong, they expressed gratitude to what it afforded them in terms of self-development.

“Our presentation enjoyed great success” Sarah said. “The participants loved our research and the achievements of our College. The experience of presenting in front of these people boosted my confidence and instilled in me a sense of great pride.”

Rawan added, “It felt good to present in front of many people from different countries and different cultures. As a student, I feel repeatedly empowered when presenting multiple times.”Hala Atiyat is a Lecturer at the Hekma School of Business in Management Information Systems.

Dar Al-Hekma Shines at the “Women as Global Leaders” Conference in Abu Dhabi

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The First Ever Team to Represent Saudi ArabiaDar Al-Hekma Students Win “Honorable Mention List” at The 19th Annual Willem C. Vis Arbitration Moot in Vienna

Members of the jury of the abritation moot with legal studies students from Dar Al-Hekma (pictured left) and other students from internationally renowned universities

Zeina El-Hoss

For the first time ever in the history of Dar Al-Hekma and Saudi Arabia at large, Dar Al-Hekma students Nada El-Ostaz, Nada Bashammakh and Shaima Atabani were afforded the rare opportunity of participating at the 19th Annual Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot under the supervision of Dr. Olga Nartova, Assistant Professor of Law at Dar Al-Hekma.

The competition, referred to as the “Olympics of international trade law”, has been drawing participation from many law schools from all over the world since 1994. This competition has been gaining popularity over the past decade as it grants law students the remarkable opportunity of interacting with fellow students from other countries and cultures, which is no doubt an asset to all concerned.

With the participation of 282 teams and around 1600 students and participants this year, the Dar Al-Hekma team was the first to represent Saudi Arabia amongst

Dar Al-Hekma Delegation Wins Two Honorable Mentions at the Harvard Model United Nations ConferenceArwa Bayoumy

A delegation of fourteen Dar Al-Hekma students, two of which received Honorable Mention awards, participated in this year’s Harvard University National Model United Nations (HNMUN).

In its 58th session, the conference spanned four days, witnessing the participation of 3,100 delegates from around 50 countries. Being the first-ever delegation from a Saudi-based institution, the Dar Al-Hekma delegation was assigned to represent the nation of Bangladesh in a number of councils including the Security Council, the Human Rights Committee, the Historical Committee, and the General Assembly.

When asked what this experience has reaped, Mazza Farajallah, a student in Banking and Finance and winner of one of the two honorable mentions awarded to the Dar Al-Hekma group said, “The experience was incredible and completely exhilarating. It motivated and inspired my team and myself for years to come!” Farajallah went on to explain that the experience taught her endurance and how to deal with different types of people whilst representing her country to the best of her abilities. “It was as though we were at the real UN,” she added.

The group attended the conference through their role in the Dar Al-Hekma Model United Nations Club (DAHMUN). DAHMUN provides its participants with the opportunity to discuss world issues in the same way debates are held at the United Nations and other international organizations. Dr. Chaman Rahim, Assistant Professor at Dar Al-Hekma and DAHMUN Club Advisor, said the conference provided an opportunity for students to interact with delegates from around the world, explore new ideas, learn about different cultures and bring their own experiences to the table for others to learn from.

Arab teams that included Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt. The team found itself competing against students from world-renown universities in Brazil, Austria, India, and Germany, to name a few. The students were thrilled to be recognized by the moot’s director Professor Eric Bergsten and the arbitrator of the American Arbitration Association Dr. William Zucker, who was impressed by their commitment, hard work and confidence.

Having gone through months of rigorous preparation, investing hours of fruitful effort writing the two memorandums and rehearsing for the oral rounds they presented at Vienna, the young team expressed gratitude to the college and its President, Dr. Suhair Al-Qurashi for her belief in their capabilities and for granting them the opportunity to participate in such a prestigious event. Team member Shaima Al-Tabani explains, “It is totally different to experience an official court environment, meet arbitrators and compete with universities worldwide rather than learning about it in regular classes. The two experiences are

incomparable.” Her teammates Nada Al-Ostaz and Nada Bashammakh also dedicated their success to their mentoring Professor Dr. Olga Nartova, who spent long hours coaching them, in addition to their families for their support and their country, Saudi Arabia which they were honored to represent at the event. “Being able to undergo this challenge has made me understand that nothing is impossible to achieve. It is all within us and we need to find it and pursue it to the very end,” remarked Nada Al-Ostaz.

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Dar Al-Hekma won first place in the Unilever Idea Trophy among other teams from Effat University and CBA. The team was awarded iPads and trophies for their success in coming up with a sound business plan. The Dar Al-Hekma team was represented by team leader Faiza Rizvi, Bedor Salem, and Rawaa Abdul Karim.

Azza Al-Ghamdi, lecturer in the General Education department, presented a research paper during the 6th International Technology, Education and Development Conference (INTED 2012) this past March. The research paper, entitled “The use of Social Media Among Female Students in The Gulf Region: An Empirical Study”, was completed in with collaboration with Dr. Subhasish Dasgupta, Program Director of the Information Systems Technology MSc Program at George Washington University. Using the 'Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology' (UTAUT) model, the research paper discussed the rate of user acceptance in using social networks in Saudi Arabia amongst female youth. Over 50 scholars from numerous international educational institutions attended Al-Ghamdi's presentation. The research paper has also been published in the electronic journal of INTED 2012 conference. INTED is an annual international conference and a forum for educators who wish to present their project and innovations granting participants the opportunity to discuss the main aspects and the latest results in the field of education and research. The general aim of the conference is to promote international collaboration in education and research in all educational fields and disciplines.

The Unilever Idea Trophy officially took off last semester. Fifty teams qualified for the first phase, out of which 25 were selected for the second phase, with only 5 of these admitted to the final phase. The teams were tasked with preparing a business plan to establish daily consumption of Lipton green tea among women above the age of 20 years. In the first phase, the team brainstormed for ideas and submitted their idea followed by a detailed business and execution plan. They also conducted extensive market research for consumer and market understanding. “It has been an amazing learning experience. We gave it our best and I’m proud of the effort that my team members have put in that helped us win the first place. It is a dream come true,” saidFaiza Rizvi about her success.

The Dar Al Hekma team presented before a panel of 7 judges comprised of marketing professionals and members of higher management. “We had no debate over the winning team. Their presentation was so impressive that we were sure from the outset that they would be the recipients of this award” said one of the judges.

Further Dar Al-Hekma Achievements at-a-Glance

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Dar Al-Hekma students win first place in Uniliver Idea Trophy

Azza Al-Ghamdi presents paper on “Social Media Use” at INTED 2012

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College Preparation Program (CPP) Organizes Annual Event

The College Preparation Program (CPP) event “Every Minute is A Learning Experience” aimed to promote collaborative learning by encouraging students to teach skills they’ve mastered in any preferred field of interest. Booths showcased quick-to-learn tutorials, uniting diverse moods and personalities, from techies to beauty addicts to art and music enthusiasts.

Community Service hours total 103,800Since the launch of our social responsibility initiative to encourage staff, faculty and students to contribute to a better society, an impressive 103,800 hours have been dedicated to various events and programs in the Kingdom and abroad on personal initiatives made by our students.

A Final Word from the PresidentIn recent years, higher education has been increasingly sought with the aim of enhancing one's prospects of professional success and material advancement. Though this may still be the prevailing norm, there have been many changes in the way success is measured or even defined. A deeper understanding of what truly constitutes success will quickly bring us to the realization that it is through our conformity to the noble values enshrined in our culture and religion that we are steered in the right direction towards true and lasting achievement.

No matter how glamorous or striking, success sought and achieved with the incentive of self-centered gain motivated by fame, reputation or status elevation is shallow, transient and outlasted by success that is pursued in the spirit of selflessness and the benefit of society at large. At Dar Al-Hekma, we are inspired by the moral and ethical principles of our Islamic faith to develop a sense of individual responsibility towards our community and society. Our values empower us with confidence in ourselves and our opinions, provide valuable insights in decision-making, instil us with a passion for leadership and excellence, increase our thirst for life-long learning and strengthen our faith in our capabilities to rise up to any challenge.

During their educational experience with us, our students rapidly arrive at an understanding of the purpose and rewards of success. For success at Dar Al-Hekma is not measured as a mere by-product of rigorous study and distinguished report cards. It flows effortlessly from an overall well-rounded spectrum that reflects our values and our commitment to live up to those values.

As our students move forward into the community and beyond the walls of Dar Al-Hekma, they take with them a solid foundation which is based upon our commonly subscribed values of righteousness, integrity, knowledge, fairness and universal aspirations for happiness and fulfillment in this life and salvation in the life beyond. They also learn to give back to their community and their homeland, thus sustaining the cycle of contribution through learning and sharing.

As we celebrate our achievements and successes of the past and embark on yet another year filled with promising challenges, exciting aspirations and enticing expectations of what is yet to come, I wish you all empowerment, inspiration and the perseverence to fulfill our mission as leaders on the earth.

Dr. Suhair Hassan Al-QurashiPresident of Dar Al-Hekma

Dr. Suhair Hassan Al-Qurashi

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Dar Al-Hekma is proud to receive program accreditation from the

National Commission for Academic Accreditation and Assessment (NCAAA)

On May 19th, 2012

On behalf of the founders, Board of Trustees, sponsors, staff, faculty, students and their guardians, Dar Al-Hekma

is honored to dedicate this landmark academic achievement to the exemplary leaders of this beloved land

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Salman Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud

His Excellency Minister of Higher Education Dr. Khaled Bin Mohammad Al-Angari

This achievement makes Dar Al-Hekma one of the leading accredited higher education institutions in the

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Accredited academic programs include:Management Information Systems

Banking and FinanceGraphic DesignInterior Design

Special EducationNursing

Dar Al-Hekma is the first nationally chartered academic institution to receive international institutional accreditation