Learning from the experts

Counselling Arabia 2009 brings counsellors and students together to discuss best practices in the profession. Rema Menon was at the conference held last week.

There is not enough awareness about the importance of seeking counselling, said Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), urging counsellors to run more public awareness campaigns on the subject.

The minister was speaking at the inauguration of the Counselling Arabia 2009 Conference, held at Abu Dhabi Women's College last week.

"We need to help people help themselves so as to improve the quality of life and contribute to a well-functioning society," Shaikh Nahyan said.

This year's conference saw students, professional counsellors, human resource trainers, coaches, doctors, English teachers and psychologists busy exchanging ideas and networking. Students from UAE University, Sharjah Women's College and Abu Dhabi Women's College said the conference was an amazing opportunity to listen, learn and better understand some of the challenges they would face as professionals in the future.

The conference is aimed at people working within the wider counselling and human development arena including participants from educational institutions in the UAE and beyond.

Workshops and presentations in Arabic and English were held over two days with the third day being dedicated to training.

Special guests included English language keynote speaker Carol Ann Fried from Vancouver, Canada, who spoke about negotiating transitions successfully.

"Several people felt it was very apt for them. They understand & that transition is a process with a beginning, a middle and an end. We each move through this process in our own unique way," said Fried after her inspirational speech.

Arabic keynote speaker Dr Nora Alarifi Pharaon from New Jersey, USA, described the cultural competency in mental health care.

New course
During the conference a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Higher Colleges of Technology and the United Printing and Publishing Press to offer a Diploma in Printing and Packaging.