More than 100 bright and determined undergraduates from Zayed University presented their research and creative projects during a one-day symposium held by the College of Education at Zayed University in Abu Dhabi campus today (Tuesday). Funded by the Office of Research, the Undergraduate Research and Creative Projects Symposium was held under the theme of “Explore, Empower and Share” and research projects were presented in conference poster format.The Zayed University Office of Research supports many programs designed to enhance the research culture, by supporting quality research that creates new knowledge in all areas of endeavor. The event, which has featured a poster session, was attended by Dr Marilyn Roberts, Acting Provost at Zayed University, Dr Fatima AlDarmaki, Assistant Provost for Student Affairs, Jase Moussa Intay, Assistant Dean for Students at the College of Education and founding organizer of the symposium, and other faculty members.“This event is a great opportunity to showcase students extraordinary work and outstanding efforts exerted during their courses and demonstrate Zayed University’s commitment toscientific research. Engagement with research ensures that Zayed University is always responsive to real-world demands,” Jase said. “The Undergraduate Research and Creative Projects Symposium not only helps developing students’ skills, but also encourages their creativity and innovation and impacts their academic trajectory and future professional endeavors,” she added.Al Anood Al Mansouri and Al Maha Al Jenabi, junior students at Zayed University, displayed their poster that summarizes their research findings and recommendations on interracial marriage in Abu Dhabi.
Interracial marriage is the term used to describe marriages that take place between people who are from different racial or ethnic groups. The nature of marriage varies between one society to another. “In the UAE, an Emirati is typically wedded to another Emirati. However, along with the passage of time and the increase of nationality diversity in the UAE, the number of interracial marriages has been on the rise. In order to investigate this further a questionnaire was conducted. It aimed to gather views of Abu Dhabi residents on interracial marriage. Our sample included 57 participants and most of them were females,” Al Anood said.“Findings were very surprising. Respondents showed that interracial marriage rates are increasing across the UAE. Our research results suggested that individuals with better educational backgrounds are more open to interracial marriage. Additionally, the results indicated that previous generations are less open to interracial marriage in comparison to more recent generations, who are willing to break racial barriers in the UAE,” she added.
Among the topics discussed during the poster session was a research on public displays of affection.Wafaa Saeed, Sada Taleb, and Fatima Saeed are another group of students, who displayed their poster that focuses on public displays of affection in the UAE within the rules and regulations of the country.They believe that public displays of affection among married couples is an increasingly crucial topic to discuss and study both for the public and researchers. “A lot of Emirati married couples don’t express affection and emotions in public or in front of other family members at home. We wanted to know the main causes behind that. Our research findings indicated that fear of being judged harshly by others and fear of being envied are two of the top reasons. Also, through our research, findings showed that arranged marriages is another key reason, which doesn’t allow both men and women to show affection in public,” Wafaa added.
The one-day symposium has also seen the discussion of several topics such as, lack of physical fitness and its impact on late-adolescence life, effects on children being brought up by nannies in the UAE, sleep habits of adolescents in the UAE, effects of sleeping disorders, most valued qualities in a mate from Emirati female perspectives, arranged marriage and love marriage, fathers’ affection towards their sons in the UAE, Children obesity in UAE, effect of divorce on children, dyslexia in the UAE, and special need students in higher education and employment.“All topics were generated by students within classrooms. They think critically, ask questions, analyze, evaluate, justify to engage more in an exciting intellectual process and obtain a comprehensive understanding of their topics,” Jase said.
About Zayed University
Zayed University is today the premier national university in the United Arab Emirates and a regional leader in educational innovation and change. It has created and implemented a skills-rich, outcome-based general education program that systemically develops student skills, knowledge, and values associated with liberal learning and provided a solid foundation for pursuit of disciplinary majors and future careers. Zayed University welcomes national and international students, and provides them with a high quality education, offered by seasoned teaching scholars to prepare them to shape the future of the United Arab Emirates.Zayed University offers Undergraduate and Graduate degrees in the following Colleges: College of Arts & Creative Enterprises (recognized as substantially equivalent by NASAD), College of Business (Accredited by AACSB), College of Communication & Media Sciences (Accredited by ACEJMC), College of Education (Accredited by NCATE), College of Sustainability Sciences & Humanities, and College of Technological Innovation (Accredited by ABET). For more information, visit www.zu.ac.ae