Sai World News: Worthy EHV Workshops in Abu Dhabi , U.A.E

[Guest guest]

NOTEWorthy EHV Workshops in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E

 

“Education is for life and not for mere living A flashing reminder for every human being

So peep at the precincts of value education

And apply its lessons at life’s every station

‘EDUCARE’ is that holistic education for all It is a must to learn from early per divine call

Good character is the reward of this education So be it the syllabi at every school in a nation”

A Modern Desert City

 

 

 

 

 

 

Abu

Dhabi (Arabic: literally "Father of Gazelle") is the eponymous capital

of the largest of the seven emirates which constitute the South-West

Asian nation of United Arab Emirates. Located in the North Central

region of the country, this city lies on a T-shaped island jutting into

the Persian Gulf from the Central Western Coast. More than 80% of its

1.8 million population (according to 2006 census) is made of

expatriates.

Abu Dhabi is one of the most

modern cities in the world. With headquarters of most of the emirates

oil operating companies as well as other national embassies based here,

this city is, truly, the center of government and business life in the

UAE. The architecture of its modern buildings and skyscrapers is the

finest in the Middle East. Located in the oil-rich and strategic

Persian Gulf region, the majority of the inhabitants of Abu Dhabi are

expatriate workers and professionals from India, Pakistan, Egypt,

Bangladesh, Philippines, the United Kingdom, and elsewhere. The

native-born populations are Arabic-speaking, Gulf Arabs who are part of

a clan-based society, while the rest speak English, Urdu or Persian.

 

It is interesting that though a desert strip, Abu Dhabi city is known

in the region for its greenery. With numerous parks and gardens,

unspoiled beaches, the tranquility of the desert, rugged mountain

scenery and lush green oases – all in a clean and safe

environment – Abu Dhabi is an amazing Arabian adventure,

mystifying and lively. But what is more heartening in the recent times

is the blossoming of a unique bloom: the Sathya Sai Educare Programme.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Abu Dhabi - properous and beautiful

 

Fascinating sand dunes...

 

 

EHV in Abu Dhabi - An Educational Inspiration

 

 

 

 

 

 

Swami's blessings for the centre

 

 

 

In

Abu Dhabi, we find Education in Human Values classes imparting value

instruction and inspiration to more than 150 children by scores of Sai

teachers every week at eight centers; training workshops for Bal Vikas

teachers; seminars on ‘Dynamic Parenting’ for school

teachers and Parent’s Contact Programs held in the Sai centers

regularly; a two-day discussion on Human Values in 2000 attracting 350

teachers besides leading local luminaries like H.E .Sheikh Nahyan Bin

Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research

and Chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology, and Indian

ambassador HE. K. C. Singh.

In addition

to the above, later in the same year, Dr Art-ong Jumsai Na Ayudhya, of Institute of Sathya Sai Education, Thailand, was invited to

address the Zayed University officials and teaching staff; two volumes

of ‘Divine Stories’ books containing over 200 stories on

Human Values published in 2003 were accepted to be published by the

Books and Publications Trust, Prasanthi Nilayam, since 2005, and the

generation of a masive amount of material on Human Value education and

its aids, the Human Values programme in operation in this prosperous

cosmopolitan city by dedicated Sai volunteers in the decade old Abu

Dhabi Sai Centre is an inspiration for the rest of the world.

The First EHV Workshop

 

One of the greatest moments of jubilation for the 350 odd members of

the Sai centre (which swells to 800 on special occasions) was on 15

March, 2006 when Bhagavan Baba accepted their prayer, submitted in a

letter, to extend the Education in Human Values programme to English

Medium schools in the city and gave His blessings to go ahead with the

proposal. This added benediction put the whole programme in a new gear,

and the motivated devotees, on June 2, 2006 organized the First

Workshop on Education in Human Values in the Auditorium of the Indian

Embassy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Chancellor of Abu Dhabi University lights the lamp

 

 

Human Values Songs by EHV students

 

 

 

 

Hon. Guest Prof. Dr. Reynold Macpherson, Chancellor, Abu Dhabi

University, lit the lamp to inaugurate the conference, and as the flame

flickered, EHV students of the Sai Organization sang human values songs

in melody and harmony. Later, the chairman of the Abu Dhabi Sai Centre

gave the welcome address.

This was

followed by informative and revealing lectures by EHV trainers from the

Sathya Sai Organisation of Oman. Topics on which they elaborated

included ‘Why Value Education?’; ‘Role of Teachers

and Inculcation of Human Values’; ‘The Psychological Impact

of SSEHV on Children’; ‘Value Inculcation across Curriculum

and Co-curriculum’, etc.

Teaching and Leading by Example

 

An eminent child psychologist from Dubai, Dr. Onita Nakra, PhD, who is

also a Sai devotee, gave an enlightening lecture on ‘The Teacher

as Counselor’ with solutions for common child and adolescent

problems in schools. She added that Sathya Sai EHV is conveyed

primarily by example and experiential exercises,

rather than academic study, and explained that everyday events

occurring in the classroom can be used directly to illustrate the

values.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ms. Akhila, EHV Trainer

 

Dr. Onita Nakra, Child Psychologist

 

 

 

Teaching fraternity from 15 schools and one University participated in

the conference and at the end of the day-long conference, one of the

participant teachers said,

“Many

behavioral problems in society are mirrored in schools, through

bullying, drug abuse, theft and vandalism, which all make a

teacher’s work more difficult and less satisfying. In addressing

this need, the SSEHV Programme, in conjunction with inspirational

teachers, seeks to improve the moral quality of young people leaving

school and make teaching more satisfying to those in the profession."

That

the whole event was a fulfilling experience for every teacher and

educator who participated, was evident from their countenance and

encouraging words during and at the end of the conference.

“Thank

you to all of you who have put in so much time and effort to make the

Sathya Sai EHV training so educative and inspiring,” said a

teacher from an Indian school. “The training modules were

organized very well to depict one of the five values and the way it has

been presented using the five teaching components was excellent. This

programme has made a positive impact on my personal and family

life”.

“EHV... the future of the world.”

 

Thoroughly impressed with the lecturers as well as the excellent

presentation of a skit ‘Five Elements’ depicting how value

erosion leads to deterioration of life, staged by the EHV children

during the lunch recess, all the 200 odd participants which included

many Head teachers and Principals lauded the SSEHV

Programme and placed their requests for PowerPoint EHV lectures,

training, follow-up and on-going support revolving around human values

teaching tools in their schools. They expressed their viewpoint:

“Sathya

Sai Education in Human Values Programme is a much needed tool that

provides a structured, well thought out methodology for providing value

based education. These works are much needed, are to be held more

frequently taking local issues for deliberations.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Teachers during lunch break

 

'Five Elements' skit by EHV children

 

 

 

But the icing on the cake was the message of Prof. Reynold Macpherson,

Chancellor of Abu Dhabi University, Abu Dhabi , who said,

“Education in Human values is the ultimate in education and the

future of the world. I will readily give my auditorium in the newly

coming up campus to hold EHV seminars in the future and also I will

involve all my teaching faculty and students.”

An Eagerly Awaited Follow-up

 

That was the overwhelming impact the Conference had. In fact, the

request for holding another workshop was so compelling from teachers

and principals that the Sai devotees organized a follow-up workshop

within four months. And this time, the Conference was held in the Y

auditorium of the Zayed University, Abu Dhabi campus on September 22,

2006. Again more than 200 turned up for the workshop but there were now

three colleges and two universities apart from ten English medium

schools. Clearly the word had spread and it was being increasingly

admired by all concerned with education.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

During National Anthem, Zayed University

 

Delegates including Prof. Macpherson in the front row

 

 

“I

thoroughly enjoyed attending the Sathya Sai EHV workshop. The Programme

gave me an excellent insight into human values which are intrinsic in

every one of us, and which I am now trying to put into practice every

day. The methods of teaching that were used were especially efficient

as they were geared for people from all walks of life. How can I admit

my children?” This was what a Muslim lecturer from the Higher

College of Technology enquired.

 

Another salient facet of this workshop was the invitation given to

administrative staff of educational institutions and also to parents.

The SSEHV Programme is most successful only when the whole environment

of a student is comprised of value-conscious adults, and to help

achieve that, increasing the value-awareness of the entire school staff

and parents is paramount. Among the audience members were Muslims,

Christians of various nationalities and Arab nationals belonging to

United Arab Emirates.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Delegates in full attention

 

Counselor Reema Menon

 

 

“I

appreciate the strong stand SSEHV takes on society's values. A child

can switch on a television and see images that imply greed and

selfishness is good, that physical attractiveness is more important

than inner worth, and that only youth matters. I am sure children who

go through the SSEHV programme will help to transform society, walking

the path of values into a better world," said Reema Menon, a counselor.

 

After inaugurating the Conference, HE Mr. C. M. Bhandari, Indian

Ambassador to UAE, said, “While commending the service activities

carried by Sai Organisation and the transformation being brought by

Bhagavan’s teachings, Education in Human Values is one important

tool for all educational institutions to adopt to produce useful,

serviceable and productive human resources. He urged that parents and

teachers have the responsibility to be good role models for their

children, which means that they must practice what they want them to

follow. If parents and teachers set the right example, the students

will automatically blossom into models of excellence and become good

citizens.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lighting of lamp by Indian Ambassador

 

HE Mr. C M Bhandari delivering his talk

 

 

 

In the 8-hour long workshop, two speakers from Dubai Centre and four

from Abu Dhabi, dealt on pertinent issues like Traditional and Family

values; The Importance of Human values in education and society; Human

values - the heart of dynamic parenting; Integration of Human values

through curricular and extra curricular activities; and Value Education

at the university level.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EHV Trainer, Dubai Centre

 

Commencement of workshop - Master of Ceremony

 

 

At the end of the conference, the head teacher of a school said,

“This

was a very positive and revitalizing course. SSEHV states the teacher's

role is the most important and that we can really make a difference to

the pupil and to society. As teachers for such long periods this

subject of human values has been a powerful, enriching and uplifting

message. Participating in the course as an experienced teacher, I have

felt renewed and as a part of a community that shares my vision for

education.”

Rejuvinated Enthusiasm for Teachers - A Quiet Revolution for Students

 

It was the same feeling of rejuvenated enthusiasm that echoed from

every teacher who went through the course. A teacher from ARS said,

“Teachers who have tried EHV program have found that it does

work, particularly with the aid of the Silent Sitting exercise. Silent

sitting helps to quiet children’s’ minds, make them less

hyperactive, improve memory and concentration, and overall, improve

receptivity and standards in all areas of learning.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Delegates exchanging views

 

During a break

 

 

 

A silent revolution of ideal learning was on. “Children will

internalize the messages in the songs and quotations, and develop in

their understanding. The stories offer opportunities for improving

communication skills through discussion, group work and

role-play,” said a Christian teacher.

 

In the midst of all these ‘paradigm shifts’ in the minds of

teachers on teaching methodology, there were lighter moments too when

EHV students sang value songs and the Chancellor of Abu Dhabi

University, Professor Macpherson, gave away certificates to EHV

students and felicitated them. The chancellor also made an enthralling

Power Point presentation on ‘Implementing Education in Human

Values at University level’. He said that EHV prepared students

for the opportunities, responsibilities and experience of a meaningful

adult life.

Love’s Success

 

 

 

 

 

 

EHV songs by students, Abu Dhabi Centre

 

 

 

With

requests pouring in to the Sai Organisation to conduct similar programs

as frequently as possible, the Sai volunteers knew by the Lord’s

grace, the programme was a success. What really touched every

participant’s heart was the sincerity and the genuineness of

purpose with which the whole event was conducted.

It was great teamwork and you could see love everywhere, as a school supervisor from OWES said, “My

overall assessment is that it is an excellent Programme. It is very

well structured, can easily be integrated into any school’s

curriculum and help to improve its ethics through the five values i.e.

Truth, Love, Peace, Right Conduct and Non-Violence. The love generated

amongst the participants was very profound."

 

Ultimately it was love which did the trick and that is truly the

‘heart and soul’ of EHV. As Swami says, “A person

with no love in his heart is no man at all.” And the lead that

the devotees of Abu Dhabi have taken in spreading this message of love

through the principles and practices of Education in Human Values is

commendable. We, at Heart2Heart, wish that with time the desert-city of

Abu Dhabi transforms itself into a divine-city pulsating with love and

compassion.

– Heart2Heart Team

 

 

http://media.radiosai.org/Journals/Vol_05/01MAR07/15-worldnews.htm