Dubai Women's College students visit Japan

The students arranged the trip as part of a Human Resource (HR) Management course for the purpose of enhancing their knowledge in the HR field and maximizing experiential learning outcomes.

The trip provided students with an opportunity to compare HR practices in the UAE and Japan and understand HR and workforce challenges posed by the World Trade Organization's Free Trade Agreement and the emerging new UAE economy.

In addition to assessing the opportunities and challenges in the HR field, the trip helped students to understand the role of the government and business leadership in HR and workforce development. Academic departments at DWC plan and run international study trips every year in order to enable students learn about different international approaches to making business and enhance their global awareness.

"DWC encourages international study trips and considers them a highly significant learning tool our students have to experience during their academic life," noted Dr. Syed Bashir, Business Department faculty at DWC and chaperon of the Japan trip.

The trip, sponsored by Dubai Properties and Emirates Airlines, lasted for 6 days and involved presentations at universities and several industry visits. During the trip, students provided different host audiences with presentations on the role of women in the development of the UAE and Emiratization challenges facing the UAE's corporate sector.

Students participated in workshops at the Waseda University and the Tsuda College, two leading educational institutions based in Tokyo where they met with international students and shared knowledge of various HR practices. The trip also included industry visits where students met with HR staff of Toyota Motor Corporation, Panasonic, Itochu and INAX ceramics. The industry meetings addressed the HR issues related to industrial reforms in Japan. Students were also exposed to HR best practices adopted by these corporate entities.

Dr. Bashir noted that in addition to HR, the trip helped in developing students' knowledge and skills in the fields of leadership, marketing, communications and team building. The participants were also able to learn about the Japanese culture; they visited the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, the Kinkaku-ji-Temple in Koyoto and the Nagoya Castle in Nagoya.