Invest your skill

"Save your time – invest your skill" is the motto of the Technical Institute of the Islamic School for Training and Education, located near the Dubai Medical College. Aiming to provide young boys and girls (both locals and expatriates)  a vocational training in a number of disciplines, including gold and silver jewellery-making, the school was set up by Al Sayeed bin Ahmed Al Lootah, whose philosophy and keen foresight into the future is echoed in its motto.

"Our objective is to forward development and education, which I believe is the language of this century and both men and women should be provided with practical and theoretical knowledge," says Lootah. Hence, emphasis is on women education, for he feels women are the backbone of a prosperous society. But, he adds, while introducing new styles one must not forget the traditional ones.

Trying to highlight the heritage of the UAE seems to be the key idea of the Institute. Says Abayazid El Bakri, the Institute manager, "Our traditional designs are still part of the social fabric of the Emirates and can give the expatriates a glimpse into the scene of aesthetics and love of beauty that has always prevailed in this society."

Stress is on heavy, traditional designs to keep the traditional art and craft of the UAE alive, the ones popular with both locals and expats, something resembling the old bedouin jewellery.

Says one of the students, "We buy pure silver nuggets or bars and mix them with copper before fashioning the jewellery and these solid silver bars are stretched and moulded on special machines in whichever shape we want."

As part of their training, they learn to copy designs, both the intricate, traditional and the delicate, more modern kind. They are even encouraged to create their own designs. The laboratory is fully equipped, with rolling machines to machines for cutting and casting and the students enjoy learning under their instructor Taj Mohammed.

Mohammed, who has been with the Institute since its inception, says a few of his old students have even started their own business and this is one of the main intentions of the Institute – to make students improve their skills, develop their insight and creativity in addition to raising their academic progress.

"I start off with simple designs and then slowly graduate to difficult ones. Patterns from India, Pakistan, Bahrain, Italy and Singapore are all taught in my workshops," he says.
And do they supply shops with any of the items made at the Institute?

"Haven't done so far," says Bakri, "but we are seriously considering the idea. We often have our own exhibition in the Institute when the whole year's work go on display and exhibits can be bought. But it's encouraging to know that the students who have trained with us are trying to keep this heritage alive."