Knowledge and Human Development Authority: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 21:13, 9 February 2023

Revision as of 08:47, 15 February 2023

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'''Knowledge and Human Development Authority''' '''(KHDA)''' ({{Lang-ar|هيئة المعرفة والتنمية البشرية}}) is the educational [[quality assurance]] and regulatory authority of the [[Government of Dubai]], [[United Arab Emirates]] which is responsible for evaluation and accreditation of higher educational institutions and universities in the [[Emirate of Dubai]]. Established in 2006 by the country's [[List of prime ministers of the United Arab Emirates|Vice President]] and [[List of prime ministers of the United Arab Emirates|Prime Minister]] [[Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum|Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum]], it is the main body that oversees the growth of private education sector in the [[Emirate of Dubai|emirate]], including early childhood education centers and schools.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 December 2006 |title=Law No. (30) of 2006 Establishing The Knowledge and Human Development Authority in Dubai |url=https://www.khda.gov.ae/CMS/WebParts/TextEditor/Documents/Law_No_30_of_2006_Establishing_KHDA_%20English.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref>

KHDA oversees the private education sector in [[Dubai]], , higher education providers, and training institutes. KHDA is responsible for the growth and quality of [[Independent school|private education]] in Dubai.

Between 2008 and 2018, the number of students attending schools rated good or better has more than doubled - from 30% in 2008/09 to 66% in the 2017/18 academic year. Likewise the number of Emirati students attending schools rated good or better has increased significantly, from 26% in 2008/09, to 62% in 2017/18.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018|title=Dubai Private Schools. A Decade of Growth. Key Findings 2008-2018|url=https://www.khda.gov.ae/Areas/Administration/Content/FileUploads/Publication/Documents/English/20180507174427_KeyFindings_2008-2018_en.pdf|url-status=live|publisher=Knowledge and Human Development Authority}}</ref>

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===5 Ways of Wellbeing===

In 2014, KHDA implemented the evidence-based '5 Ways to Wellbeing'<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nefconsulting.com/our-services/strategy-culture-change/five-ways-to-wellbeing/|title=Five Ways to Wellbeing}}</ref> - developed by [[Nic Marks]] at the [[New Economics Foundation]] - into its processes and physical environment. These '5 Ways' - Keep Learning, Give, Take Notice, Connect, and Be Active positive changes at the workplace. To motivate the employees to '''"Keep Learning"''', KHDA has opened up a library to promote reading. It has also hosted talks from national and international speakers, and funded training programs for employees to attend of their choice. KHDA's encouragement to 'Give by participating in charitable activities throughout the community – at hospitals, at special needs centres, at mosques and at animal rescue centres - and by making more time to help each other during the working day. KHDA established a programme with an orphanage in Banda Aceh, Indonesia which enabled teams to travel and spend a week working with the children and their carers. These trips were funded partly by KHDA, and partly by fundraising activities we held throughout the year. KHDA implemented '''‘Take Notice’''' by beginning the meetings with mindfulness exercises and by practicing an ‘attitude of gratitude’.

KHDA's encouragement to 'Give by participating in charitable activities throughout the community – at hospitals, at special needs centres, at mosques and at animal rescue centres - and by making more time to help each other during the working day. KHDA established a programme with an orphanage in Banda Aceh, Indonesia which enabled teams to travel and spend a week working with the children and their carers. These trips were funded partly by KHDA, and partly by fundraising activities we held throughout the year. KHDA implemented '''‘Take Notice’''' by beginning the meetings with mindfulness exercises and by practicing an ‘attitude of gratitude’.

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KHDA's office environment, meanwhile, made it easier to '''‘Connect’''', by replacing standard-issue carpets and cubicles with sofas, mobile desks, bean bags and green spaces. KHDA established a ‘no-door’ policy instead of an 'open door' policy, with communal areas taking the place of private offices. In the KHDA lobby, people mingle freely and have conversations over coffee, often entertained by someone playing on the baby grand piano, or by lovebirds tweeting as customers arrive. At KHDA, [[Dr. Abdulla Al Karam]] believes that guests should be indistinguishable from employees; board members are no different from new joiners. To facilitate '''‘Be Active’''' KHDA integrated a fully functioning gym into the workspace. A 300-metre running track around the perimeter of the office served as the warm-up for daily fitness sessions before and after work. A boxing ring helped employees release stress, while a yoga room with daily classes helped to channel it more positively. KHDA regularly began participating in races and obstacle races such as the Desert Warrior Challenge and the Spartan Race. Our first participation in this type of event included a team of 10 colleagues – all committed to exercise and fitness.