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Anas EljamalMy work philosophy, my thoughts about leadership, knowledge technology, and education. The concept of Existence Controlling Instincts.
My Family Tree; my Family Photo Gallery; my son's web sites: luay.eljamal.com, worldofluay.piczo.com or my wife's website
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Content coming soon:
My Travel Book -- My Online Presentations - My Offline Presentations and Musings about War and Peace
Full Name: Anas M. Souhail Eljamal
Wife's Name: Sana Elache
Children: Luay Suhail (Born 1992)
email: anas@eljamal.com
Website: anas.eljamal.com
Availability: Negotiable
Contact Information:
Keyano College
8115 Franklin Av, #58
Fort Mcmurray, Alberta T9H 2H7, Canada
Tel (Work): (780) 913- 4844
Tel (Personal): (780) 880-1203
Career Objectives
Work with professional educators in a college environment on exploiting post-modern information and communication technologies in the areas of teaching, learning and educational administration for the success of learners.
Summary of My Career Experience
I have passion for integrating technology in education for the benefit of learning, learner success and the effectiveness of educational administration. My experience since 1989 has been on investigating and implementing technical solutions for the learning purposes in post-secondary institutions. My duties have evolved from an IT instructor to decision making leadership positions with focus on educational and information technology. My career path focused on creating IT curricula and systems that prepare college graduate to be effective and successful citizens of the knowledge age. With the boom of e-learning era, I initiated many technical solutions that enhanced the face-to-face, distant and blended learning through the proper use of the Internet, audiovisual media and other digital applications. In addition to the technical solutions, I devised new curriculum and assessment methodologies that address the challenges accompanying the advancement of technology.
My leadership and managerial history is saturated with change and paradigm shift challenges. The success of my methods is rooted in my belief in delivering solutions based on the teachers’ and administrators’ needs rather than imposing new trends without compromising organizational strategies. With proper training and support, these initiatives surfaced to success.
I have presented numerous international presentations in theoretical and practical concepts related to the application of technology in modern age post secondary education systems.
Academic Degrees
Masters Degree in Management, University of Wollongong, Australia, Spring 1998.
Graduate Certificate in Total Quality Management, University of Wollongong, Australia, Spring 1997.
B.Sc., Computer Science and Mathematics, American University of Beirut, Lebanon, Fall 1985.
Masters Degree in Management, University of Wollongong, Australia, Spring 1998.
Graduate Certificate in Total Quality Management, University of Wollongong, Australia, Spring 1997.
B.Sc., Computer Science and Mathematics, American University of Beirut, Lebanon, Fall 1985.
Baccalaureate 2nd Degree in Elements of Mathematics, Lebanese Ministry of Education, 1977.
Baccalaureate 1st Degree in Elements of Sciences, Lebanese Ministry of Education, 1976
High School, Lebanese Evangelical School, 1976.
Jan 2009 To Present
Title: Chief Innovation Officer
Organization: Keyano College, Alberta, Canada
Website: www.keyano.caRole: Responsible for setting, implementing and managing the educational paradigm shifts based on the College potentialities..
Sep 2004 To Jan 2009
Title: Chief Information Officer
Organization: Keyano College, Alberta, Canada
Website: www.keyano.caRole: Responsible for setting, implementing and managing the ICT strategies of the college.
Major Accomplishments: implemented structured wireless across all campuses, consolidated back end servers through virtualization to support the educational processes, implemented an Educational Portal System, introduced new technology based teaching and learning for the remote communities, introduced new distant education learning experience, introduced laptops, participated in revamping the business and computer science curriculum to meet the present IT challenges in the Oil Sands industry. In addition, I teach Operation Management and Human Resources courses at the college. Served on the Executive Committee 2005-2006.
Jun 2000 To Sep 2004
Title: Manager of Educational Technology
Organization: Higher Colleges of Technology, Dubai, U.A.E
Website: www.hct.ac.aeRole: Member of the College Executive Team. Assumed the role of Acting Director. I was responsible for setting, implementing and managing the operation related to educational technology.
Major Accomplishments: introduced student laptop program and wireless across the whole campus. Utilized Citrix solutions to minimize down-time learning opportunities. Designed, purchased and implemented state of the art infrastructure to support the educational and administrative operation of the college. Participated in creating an eCommerce program that evolved into the e-Business degree. Managed teachers’ professional development programs that helped them migrate to new teaching paradigms. Managed the technical support and operation function of the college.
May 1992 To Jun 2000
Title: Manager of Student Services and Computer Systems
Organization: Higher Colleges of Technology, Dubai, U.A.E
Website: www.hct.ac.aeRole: Manage the students services function in the college which included student recruitment, student records and registrar. In addition, I managed the computer support functions of the college.
Major Accomplishments: Attracted 80% of the potential high school graduates to our college, created and administered policies related to student services and the registrar. Developed and managed a student academic tracking systems. Participated in the creation of a centralized admission center at the level of the country. Purchased and installed automation systems required for the operation of the college (specifically SCT Banner and WebCT.) Participated in the development of numerous IT curricula.
Aug 1989 To May 1992
Title: Instructor of Business Information Systems
Organization: Higher Colleges of Technology, Dubai, U.A.E
Website: www.hct.ac.aeRole: Teacher of IT courses (database, networking, applications and programming.)
Major Achievements: Was awarded the Excellence in Teaching award. Developed numerous courses for the department. Participated in the process of BTEC accreditation.
Sep 1988 To Jul 1989
Title: Teacher of Computer Sciences
Organization: Ibn Khaldoon High School , Manama Bahrain
Web Site: http://www.ikns.edu.bh/Role: Teacher of programming courses for grades 5 to 9 and Sciences for Grade 5. Developed material for the courses.
Oct 1983 To Sep 1988
(1) Title: Teacher of Computer Sciences and Mathematics
Organization: American Community School
Website: http://www.acs.edu.lb/Role: Teacher of Mathematics (Algebra and Geometry) and Computer Sciences for grades 10 to 12.
(2) Title: Graduate Research Assistant in Computer Sciences
Organization: American University of Beirut
Website: www.aub.edu.lbRole: Teacher of computer sciences courses for Freshman and Sophomore years. Graduate assistant to prefessors in numerous computer courses. Managed the Computer Labs in the Department of Mathematics.
Mar 1981 To April 1983
Title: Bilingual Industrial Instructor
Organization: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Website: www.mhi.co.jp
Role: Instructor of the operation and maintenance of Desalination control room. Developed teaching and learning material for the trainees in English and Arabic.
2005: SuperNet
Operation, NAIT.
2004: Work
Health and Safety Certificate, Alberta Government.
2003:
Global eLearning Workshop from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston, Learning International Network Consortium.
2002:
ICDL Center Manager and Assessor, UNESCO.
2001:
Independent Learning Skills, Higher Colleges of Technology.
2000:
Judging Quality Award, Dubai Quality Award, Dubai Economic Department and University of Wollongong.
2000:
Leadership in Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education.
1995:
Facilitation Training Certificate, Instructional Skills Workshop Group,
Higher Colleges of Technology.
1994:
Training the Trainers Certificate, Instructional Skills Workshop Group,
Higher Colleges of Technology.
1993:
Oracle Advanced Application Building Certificate, Oracle.
1990:
Curriculum Development, Higher Colleges of Technology.
1991-2000:
Novell Netware Operating Systems Certificates, Novell and Computer Data
Networks.
AAHEIT: Alberta Association in Higher Education for Information Technology (www.actic.ca)
CANHEIT: Canada Higher Education and Information Technology Consortium
CANITDIRS: Canadian IT Directors network
EduCause: www.educause.edu
ISACA: The Information Systems Audit and Control Association (www.isaca.org)
LIFIA: Learning Innovations Forum, (www.lifia.ca , www.lif-fia.org )
MIT-LINC: MIT Learning International Network Consortium (linc.mit.edu)
ACCC: Assosciation of Canadian Community Colleges (www.accc.ca )
IATHA: Institue for the Advancement of Teaching in Higher Education (www.iathe.org )
English: Excellent communication skills, spoken,
written and presentation.
Arabic: communicates very well in different dialects.
French and German: suitable for traveling
purposes.
Aramaic and Old Hebrew: enough for research
purposes.
I am a world travel backpacker with my family. We traveled all over Europe, Asia, North America, and the Middle East. Our next travels will be to Western and Northern Canada, Central and South America. I am a passionate researcher of culture, history and religion. I have given numerous presentations about cultures and religion interrelationships. I indulge myself in playing strategy games where mental challenges give me the thrill. I am a certified Akila in Boys Scouts and I enjoy watching good movies.
2008:
Alberta North Access Symposium: 2 Presentations
(1) Why Agrarian Students Fail our Educational System
(2) The Future of Education in the Wiki Age
Fort McMurray, May 2008.
2007:
(1) Center of Excellence for Research and Technology: Culture and Innovation , Dubai, U.A.E
(2) Keyano College Leasership Program: Wiki Learning Model, Alberta, Canada
(3)
Keyano College Leadership Program: Challenging the Obvious in Education, a series of workshops that challenges educator’s to adopt new learning models.
2006:
(1) Wood
(2) Alberta North Access Symposium: How “Knowledge Technology” Improves Cross-Cultural Collaborations.
(3) Work Force Development, Supervisors Boot Camp: Management by Remote Control.
2005:
(1) Fort Mcmurray Public Schools Teachers conference: (1) The Google Kid: how Technology is impacting the learning behavior of the new generation (2) Cultural Spectacles: Methodologies of understanding the paradigms of different cultures.
(2) Keyano
2004 - Present:
Fort Mcmurray Multicultural Association: On Going Presentations related to multiculturalism and impact on teaching and learning.
2003:
MIT LINC Conference: Educational Technology Challenges in the Gulf Countries. Massachusetts Institue of Technology , March 2003.
2003 – 2005:
Laptop Think Day – HCT and Zayed University: Different presentations about the use of technology and laptops in teaching and learning.
2002:
IBM ThinkPad University Conference: The Cultural Challenges facing implementing successful educational technology in the Gulf Countries.
2001:
American University of Sharjah: Future trends of technology in teaching and learning
2002:
With Pat Colabucci: Online Role Play Simulation as an alternative assessment
1998 - 2000:
Higher Colleges of Technology Conference: Uses of Technology in the functions of Student Services and Registrar.
Numerous other presentations and workshops about the use of technology and media in education. In additional to training on new methods of teaching, assessment, training and software application.
Present Employer: Keyano College
Postal Address:
8115 Franklin Avenue,
Fort McMurray Alberta T9H 2H7
1) Jim Foote
President, Keyano College
Email: jim.foote@keyano.ca
Tel: (780) 791-4850
2) Al Adibi
Vice President, Keyano College
Email: al.adibi@keyano.ca
Tel: (780) 791-4860
Previous Employer: Higher
Colleges of Tech.
1) Norman Gray (Previous
Director)
Higher Colleges of Technology
Postal address:
1724 The Chase
Mississauga, Ontario L5M 4P2, Canada
Email: nlgray@roger.com
Tel: (905) 569-0058
2) Bill Vega (Present
Director)
Higher Colleges of Technology
Email: bill.vega@hct.ac.ae
Tel: +971 4 3260303
(International)
You are authorized to approach the above individuals for reference.
Organization:
The Title: Chief Innovations Officer
Duration: Since 1 January 2009.
Description of the Job: Set, develop and monitor strategic plans for the evolvement and the enhancement of innovation in teaching and learning. Foster the use of technology in the teaching and learning functions of the college. Support the development of faculty in the areas of teaching and learning, curriculum development, assessment, and instructional design for eLearning. Promote and support innovative training, teaching and learning methodologies that align with the strategic goals of
Achievements (To Date):
Organization: Keyano College
The Title: Chief Information Officer
Start date: 15 September 2004
Description of the Job: Establish a strong educational technology support and services function in the college and lead the implementation of futuristic knowledge technology that put Keyano College at the forefront of educational institutions in Alberta preparing an environment to graduate successful citizens of the knowledge society.
Achievement to date:
In the short period I have been working with Keyano College, I was able to achieve the following:
1- Restructured the department to 3 layers:
Level 1: The backend which manages IT infrastructure.
Level 2: The front end which offers services and support to the college community.
Level 3: Core business which partners with different departments and functions within the college to develop and put into use technologies that increase their efficiencies and productivity.
2- Introduced alternative learning technologies that complement the eLearning initiatives and meets the challenges of the college. One example is the Virtual Gallery which invites the community of Fort Mcmurray to contribute to the learning of the Applied Arts Students.
3- Introduced an industry based "Learning On Demand" teaching system that helps the apprentice of the Oil Industry to evolve academically and learn while they are on the job.
4- Introduced technologies to support remote collaboration among the students and staff of 8 remote campus sites.
5- Proposed 3 projects to enhance the use of technology in the administration as well as the teaching environments:
(a) A collaborative training program for the teachers
(b) collaborative training for the administration and staff
(c) Creation of IT steering committee with well structured work groups to address introduction of IT across the system.
Full details will be supplied upon request.
Organization: The Higher Colleges of Technology, Dubai Men’s College
Web Site: www.hct.ac.ae; dbm.hct.ac.ae
The Title: Manager of the Department of Information and Educational Technology.
Duration: From June 2000 till September 2003.
Reason of Termination: Offer from Keyano College.
Number of Employees: I had 13 employees on my team: 4 network engineers, 4 user Support Specialists, 2 software development and 3 educational technologists. In additional to coordinators from different departments and adjunct staff members.
Approved Budget: In the academic year 2003-2004, I was managing a budget of AED 22M, equivalent to CA$ 9M, for purchasing, upgrading and implementing new ICT and Audio visual infrastructure for the learning purposes of a new campus.
Goals of the Job: The goals of the department were to cultivate a technology-enhanced learning environment to prepare lifelong learners who can succeed in the knowledge society. Full job description could be supplied upon request.
Structure of the Department: To meet the objectives set for the department, I restructured it into 4 interwoven units:
The ICT Unit: The ICT team was responsible for the operation and maintenance of the ICT infrastructure. We designed, operated and implemented a state of the art infrastructure that is a world’s lead in educational technology. Since its inception, the following were the achievements of the unit:
User Support Unit (USU): The USU team was responsible for supporting the users of the college to ensure our IC technology is working to their advantage. The user support team received extensive training and professional development to focus on the learning process. They were actively involved in the teaching and the learning activities to keep their focus on the educational value of their job. The achievements of the unit are:
Application Development Unit (ADU): The ADU team is responsible for the development and maintenance of software applications required in the learning process. The achievements of the units are:
Educational Technology Unit (EdTec): The EdTech team was responsible for supporting the teachers’ needs to effectively utilize technology in their classrooms teaching and learning activities. The achievements of the unit are:
Main Achievements in my HCT job:
Since 1992 I have been assuming different senior and leading managerial roles at the institutes of higher education in the following functions:
The requirements of my jobs specialized on strategic planning, implementation and effective operation of ICT resources in a collegiate environment. My main focus was always to increase learners' success and maximize the support functions for teaching and learning. I developed and executed plans to prepare groups and individuals to effectively use these technologies.
Implementation of these plans involved negotiation and consultation with various groups and individuals including high and middle level management as well as the coordination and conduction of numerous training workshops as outlined in details below.
All my managerial experience has been in a multicultural environments dealing with individuals from more than 30 nationalities. I have faced many situations where I had to manage amidst external and internal changes which gave me ample experience to lead in cultural changes.
The success of the functions and departments I have led are mainly due to outstanding efforts of the teams I have worked with, This enriched in me the art of leadership that capitalizes on the strengths and talents of individuals around me thus building strong teams to get results.
Recruitment: During my career life, I have conducted more than 100 recruitment interviews and evaluation. I was an active member on the recruitment screening committee of Student Services, educational Technologies, Information Systems and IT teachers.
Finances: Since 1992, I have been responsible for budgetary finances that reached up to AED 22M (US$ 6M) as part of the different managerial roles I was involved with. I have developed and maintained accurate financial reports that continuously matched the financial records of my institutions.
Tendering and Purchasing: During my career life, I have initiated and supervised many tendering and purchasing activities. These activities included setting specification, issuing RFP (request for proposals) evaluation of proposals, awarding contracts, commissioning and follow up on warranties. The budgetary values of tenders reached up to AED 14M (US$ 4M) in a given tender.
Performance Evaluation: I am a rooted believer in 360 degree evaluation strategies. I have been involved in initiating and developing the policies and procedures of such a performance enhancement plans in my organization. I have successfully used these methodologies to improve the performance of my team.
Committees: I have served on numerous internal and external committees as a member as well as a chair. Many of these committees where at policy making level in student services and ICT functions.
Since 1981, I have been heavily involved with Information and Communication as a tool to improve efficiency in management and to enhance learning. My experience covers all ICT levels:
Management: I supervised and led teams of network engineers; system analysts; user support specialists; audiovisual technicians and educational technologists.
Telecommunication and networking: I have considerable experience with designing, purchasing and deploying information and communication technologies for educational organizations including network components; switches; security; telecommunications and data management. I have worked with teams of network engineers on designing, implementing, administering and supporting resilient network infrastructure, wireless technology, client computers and laptops. The support function involved developing and implementing remote troubleshooting and hardware management systems. I have experience with managing network operating systems of Novel and Windows NT- and the implementation of network management tools like Novell Zero Effort Network, Manage-Wise and IBM Tivoli.
Purchasing: I have experience and knowledge in planning for acquisition, replacement and support of classroom and administrative systems. I have designed state of the art classrooms where computer and audiovisual equipment were effective in the learning environment.
Programming: I have led a team of system analysts to develop educationally oriented software applications. I have strong knowledge and experience in programming with 4GL, Java, C languages, Pascal and Visual Basic .I have designed and implemented sophisticated databases for educational purposes using Microsoft Access, Oracle, ASP and PHP.
Internet: I have passion for Internet development, design and initiation of web sites using HTML, Java, Real Audio, Macromedia Flash, ASP, PHP and Intranet development.
Details of My ICT Experience
My experience ranged from developing database systems which assisted in the smooth operation of various college services to the implementation and use of Course Management Systems, Learning Management Systems (WebCT, Blackboard, and Angel), databases, networking, and internet based solutions. My Experience in leading teams of developers of technical solutions included:
Developing ICT Solutions
Besides the coordination and implementation of various IT solutions, I have personally developed the following solutions:
Collated Experience in Education and Training
I have been in the education profession since 1985. I have extensive experience in education and training for young and adult learners. I have passion for combining technology in education for the benefit of learning, learner success and teaching effectiveness. I have been leading the introduction of eLearning paradigm in all its forms (distant education, hybrid, flexible and classroom based) with emphasis on project/problem based learning and cross disciplinary integration of learning objects.
Supporting Teaching and Learning
During the 9 years of managing the department of computer and student services, I have created an effective teaching and learning support function that serves the multicultural environment of a young college. I was successful in institutionalizing a department that offered the following services to the college community:
Experience with Adult Training
I have developed and conducted the following workshops and training programs for adults:
University/College level:
I have taught the following courses at the graduate and undergraduate levels:
K-12 Level
I have taught the following courses at the K-12 level:
Instructional/Curriculum Design
I have developed and implemented numerous curriculum and courses for the college programs as well as K-12 syllabuses:
Experience with Adult TrainingI have developed and conducted the following workshops and training programs for adults:
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I was born at 11:00 pm in a small village called Baalshemeh in the suburbs of Bhamdoun in the Mountains of Lebabon. Originally from Beirut, my preganat mother and my father fled the capital to my parental grandparent house in the mountain away from the 1958 civil war. My father is Suhail Eljamal and he is from Beirut, while my mother is Samira Mikati, from the north portal city of Tripoli. Being the first grandchild of my maternal grandparent, I spent most of my toddler life at their house, which spoiled me with love, care and strict customes.
Being almost 3 years, I do not remember much of this year except some vague memories. One of them was the passing away of my grandparent Saif Mikati. I used to like him a lot. The vague scenes I preserved were the sight of my preganat mother crying when she was informed her father passed away, my grandmother with her tears in her eye hugging me and saying I will never see my grandfather anymore, the scene of the ambulance from the baclony where my aunt Ghada telling me"look at your grandfather" and I could not find him and finally, the "death chanting" from the holy Quran which was filling the house. Thie caused a scare in me which scared my soul for a while.
3 years old and my mother used to tell me I am getting a playmate soon. I did not understand what she meant except that she always used to rub her big tommy. In March, suddenly, there was this creature at home who keeps cryting and never plays with me. Anogther confusing moment which took some time to become a loving feeling towards what people say brother. It was my brother Hadi who was born.
This year, marked a mileston: It was the year that I went to my first school, The German School. What I remember is the shopping trip to Khabaz (famous child clothing store) were my proud mother told the salesman: "get me the best suit for my son, he is going to school". This phrase scared me, as if I was going to another planet. I kept telling her: "I cannot go to school because I cannot read or write!" She used to laugh adding to my stress. Now I laugh!
What I remember of my school is that it was under a huge lighthouse... it was taller than the gaint of Jack and the Beans. They used to give us the best glass of milk in the morning and the the tastiest Orange juce in the break. The taste of their Christmas cake is still in my mouth. Till now, I am searching for the same taste. I remeber the Easter egg hunt, where I found 3 baskets and they made me return 2! It was in the outdoor field in Yarzi, a beautiful pine forest in the outskirts. From my friends, I remember Maha... who might have been my first love... ath this age? I wonder.
Getting used to having another member in the famliy, made it easy for me to expect and welcome my new sister, Rola, who was loved from the first moment. What I remember from this experience: I am in the living room, my father was very anxious. My grandmothers going in-and out of my mother bedroom (yes, the delivery happened in the house and not the hospital!!). Some screams and extraordinary movement by this lady they called Mid-wife.. Then, my father with tears in his eyes, came out saying "beautiful, beautiful, she is like the moon, I will call her "'Amar" (which in his language means moon!). Then my grandmother came and told me: Mabrook, you have a sister. Her eyes are blue!
I remember, during my wait, I was reading Superman magazine... so, yes, I used to read at this age! I do not know when I really started, except that some time before, my father was proud in front of my uncle when I was able to read the newspaper... Which my mother claims it was when I was 5! I remember the incident... I do not remember the age.
The war. It was my first conscious awareness of the war. The second experience if you count the civil war that took place when I was a feutus!
This was the Israeli-Arab war. Back then, I did not understand what it means. In the eyes of my parents and family, it meant fear, scare, worry about food, never using lights at night (to avoid air strikes), spending unusual time listening to the Radio, my father reading many newspapers that mentioned nothing. Cursing the TV because their news are always too late. I still remember when I spent all the night listening to the radio trying to figure out what is happening and my father hitting me because I should be asleep. It was the first time I was hit by my father. I think the war has a terrible impact on ...
I got my Baccalaureate Diploma in Mathematics in June 1977 without taking any tests because of the civil war then started my academic life. I started my university years in September 1977 studying architecture as my father requested. I was fond of drawing, design and creation of new shapes and models for houses, airplanes and cars. Even I ventured into the design of spaceships and rockets. So, architecture was a good choice.
Then in Feb 1978, I applied to study Electrical Engineering because my father thought it was a better choice. Since the program is a yearly program, I had to wait till the following September. Meanwhile, I enrolled in the Physics department for I loved the topic while continuing my study in Architecture. Studying at two universities drained my energy. In addition, the civil war in Lebanon took its toll on me. In June 1978, I decided to dedicate my studies in Physics for the realm of unrealistic physics intrigued me. The concepts of relativity, quantum physics, electrodynamics were fascinating to me. I hated thermodynamics. I understood the concept but hated its mathematics.
Civil war around me and the joy of studying at AUB were two contradictions I had to make peace with. I got used to the fear of fighting and killing around me. I faced death many time although I never participated in the civil war. AUB was my sanctuary. I got a room in the dorms, Penrose 613, with a good friend named Hassan Bsat who was studying nursing. I joined Cine Club and I discovered the beautiful world of cinema critique and beauty of cinematography. Thanks to Bassam Nassar who had the passion to create a club which made me meet many of my best friends. One of them was Rima. War, Cine Club and Rima made my studies suffer for a while.
It was a n eventful year. Rima, Fouad Zein, face to face with death. Adventures across the fighting lines and in Sidon. Working in the Research Center of Injuries made me live the fun and agony of civil war. My dark ages started and lasted for the next 3 years! A major struggle between life, God, me and love. Destiny won
My father and uncle got me a job in Saudi Arabia as a bilingual instructor in a desalination plant. I joined a company called Mitsubishi Heavy Industries which turned out to be one of the big Japanese industries. I worked developing training material for the operation and maintenance of the desalination control rooms and the power generating plant. My boss, Sato San, taught me a lot about the professional world. I admired the Japanese culture of hard work although I was sort of black sheep. But they liked me. I used to live in Damam in my uncle house and travel to Jubeil every day. The 45 min drive was my relief. I enjoyed the high speed driving where I used to average around 150Km/h. The thrill was phenomenal. I had few almost fatal accidents, but some how I survived them. Still, I drove wreclessly until 1992 when I had my son. Then I became a relatively wise driver!
Still in Saudi, Israel invaded Lebanon in August. I was worried about my family. My uncle Ghazi said he lost my grandma (his mom) and he hoped I can find her. He suspected that she might have traveled to Syria. I took the plane to Damascus and spent few days looking for her. I did not know anyone there. Luckily, I discovered we have a large family living there and they helped me to look for her. But she was no where to be found in Damascus. Then I headed to Zabadani, a small town on the way between Beirut and Damascus thinking that the Lebanese who flee the country might go there. Again no luck. Before I give up, I remembered my father mentioning Bloodain. It turned out it is near by town. I decided to go there. When I gave up finding her, I called my uncle trying to tell him that I failed! While talking to him, a little boy came to me and said: "Are you looking for a Lebanese lady, there is one who is living with us. Is it she?" I followed his lead and turned out to my lost grandma. She left Lebanon and moved to Bloodan waiting for the invasion to end. It was a memorable adventure.
I continued to Beirut to know about my family. The taxi driver dropped in Sawfar and said he cannot continue any further because of the war. I had to walk between Sawfar and Bhamdoun... across the front line. Leaving the Syrian behind me and the Israeli in front me. Bodies of dead Syrian soldiers across the road. it was atrange that I had to prove my identity to two non Lebanese armies while I am Lebanese. I reached my grandparents house in Bhamdoun and found all my family there. It was a great relief. I spent 2 weeks there where I met new friends. One of them is Lina.
Bought my first computer. Amin Jmaiel, return to Beirut, enrolled in Math at AUB.... to be continued.
I joined the Higher Colleges of Technology as an instructor for Business Information Technology. I taught the following courses: Computer Applications, Databases, Networking and the programming. I contributed to the creation of all related computer courses. The college was new, so I had a lot of fun feeling proud being one of the founders. Bob Berhnardt, my first Canadian Boss, was a great visionary leader who helped me develop myself into the education realm. His boss, Norman Gray, was my inspiration who had the rare talent of making the impossible happen... he taught me all I know about management and leadership. I received the Outstanding Award for the year 1990. I was an active instigator into introducing the GUI environment where the mouse, and not the keyboard, becomes the main driving force behind the computer. The challenge of convincing other teachers to accept the new paradigm, consequently, changing their curriculum to fit, taught me many lessons that proved helpful to sharpen my management skills... especially the experience of hardening the heart when leading change.
Usual turmoil in organizations gave me an opportunity to become an acting supervisor of Student Services. Being an excellent teacher does not mean doing a good job at managenet. But my excellent rapport with the students, my understanding of their culture and my passion for helping other grow, helped me to set up and create the first Student Services entity in the organization. I wrote many policies followed by working procedures that enhances the attitude and habits of our students. It was the first step towards learning how I have to handle the change management. But I really suffered on the management side where I discovered my Teaching Experience cannot be applied to management.
Supervisor of Computer Systems and Student Services.
-To Continued-