Investing in Human Resources
Ahmed Abu Dayya, 24, lives in Gaza and has been an outstanding student in both his secondary and post-secondary education. During the latter, Ahmed completed an undergraduate degree in Business Administration from the Islamic University in Gaza (IUG) with an 88% accumulative mark, topping his group, after which he worked as a Reader IUG.
Ahmed competed for an Al Fakhoora International Master’s Scholarship in 2013, by highlighting the market needs for Human Resources Specialists and the existing lack of such specialized education as the topic of his studies.
In September 2013, Ahmed left Gaza to pursue his master’s in Human Resources, at Leeds University in the UK.
Ahmed said, “Human Resources Management is one a rare expertise in Gaza. The course itself is taught under a management degree, not as a separate degree.”
He added “I joined the business school, one of the best in the UK at teaching Human Resources, with an excellent academic staff and up to date research resources. Compared to universities in Gaza, where we have out of date curriculums, and our Professors have limited resources to bring in new knowledge.”
“In the UK, I have participated in a few activities in support of Palestine, like the impact of occupation on education. I answered questions related to this, as there is high interest for people to hear first hand experience.”
Looking back to Gaza, Ahmed said, “I am looking forward to going back home this September and beginning my professional life as a human resources practitioner, at a later stage I might go into academia after gaining sufficient practical experience from the market.”
Currently Ahmed is researching performance appraisals in public organizations, using the Gaza General Personnel Council as a case, which he thinks is “a very vital area to research in order to upgrade the public sector performance.”
Ahmed concluded, “This is a once in a lifetime chance for me, that gives me great added value, rich knowledge and increased language skills which will help me to advance my career successfully in Gaza.”
