UAE: From cleaner to a team leader, how NYUAD's free education changed Indian expat's life

Acquiring communication skills in the English language has helped Indian expat, Vinay Kasturi, upgrade his job profile from being a cleaner to become a team leader in the cleaning department at New York University-Abu Dhabi (NYUAD).

Thanks to the university's social responsibility program that offers free education and cultural courses to contract workers at the university, which has helped them better their lives.

NYUAD's Office of Social Responsibility offers a comprehensive program of educational opportunities that have met the expressed educational and social needs of contracted staff employed by the university and domestic workers employed by its community members.

Since its inception in 2012, the adult education program has served over 5,000 members of the university community.

Kasturi, 29, who completed his Bachelor's degree (BSCMPCS) in 2015 (Telugu medium), joined NYUAD as a cleaner in 2017.

"It was very difficult for me to communicate with my supervisor and colleagues. I could understand English but couldn't reply clearly," he said.

"I then learned about the NYUAD Office of Social Responsibility that provides English classes, and I immediately joined."

The Indian expat added, "I was taught the English language and completed the advanced and pre-intermediate levels and obtained a certificate. I also attended basic computer, financial development and photography classes and obtained two other certificates after completion."

Kasturi noted that in 2021, he was promoted to the position of a team leader because of the communication skills he had obtained.

"I strongly believe those English classes helped me a lot to achieve this position. Now I'm taking the pre-intermediate course. I am also interested in learning the Arabic language next year," he said

"I'm glad to be working at NYUAD. I always advise my colleagues at work to utilise this opportunity and get free education provided by the office of social responsibility at NYUAD."

Liria Gjidija, director, Global Outreach and Programs, Department of Global Education, NYU Abu Dhabi, said the adult educational programs for NYU-Abu Dhabi contract staff began with a pilot English course.

"Remaining the pillar of our programming, English in the Workplace has since served over 1,500 of our contracted and domestic worker colleagues," said Gjidija.

"Over the last decade, we have expanded our educational offerings to a full-scale, comprehensive program that offers twelve certificate courses in various subjects, including English in the Workplace, Arabic language, IELTS preparation courses, computer and financial literacy, public speaking, intercultural communication, creative writing, and professional development."

Initially developed for the contracted and domestic worker colleagues, the adult education programming is now open to all members of the university community, including faculty, administrative staff, and researchers.

"This blended learning model enables our community members to learn together, strengthening the social fabric of our community and promoting a philosophy of education for all that fosters a great sense of belonging at NYU Abu Dhabi," said Gjidija.

ismail@khaleejtimes.com