Dr. (H.C) Kausar Saida
Honorary Doctorate in English Literature
Dr. Kausar Saida, a prominent Assistant Professor of General Studies at the Higher Colleges of Technology, United Arab Emirates is well known for motivating students to participate in various co-curricular and extra-curricular activities that go a long way in the holistic development of the students. With a Ph. D in English from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad, India, Dr. Saida brings bountiful wisdom and expertise to the General Studies Department at Higher Colleges of Technology. She has completed the three courses of the Digital Teaching and Learning Series and has been awarded the Certified Expert by the Blackboard Academy. Dr. Saida is also the proud recipient of the FHEA -Fellowship of Advance Higher Education.
Dr. Saida has a distinguished teaching career spanning over 45 years during which she has successfully instructed courses such as English Language and Literature, Professional Communication, Business Communication, Public Speaking, Critical Thinking, Life and Future skills at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Dr. Saida’s optimistic nature and empathetic attitude creates a harmonious and healthy relationship between teacher and the student, and this leads to a very good rapport with the students. Dr. Saida is committed to promoting active learning and critical thinking in her classroom, equipping students with the skills necessary to address complex life challenges.
Dr. Saida is the founder member of Sharjah Women’s Toastmasters Club that plays a dominant role in enhancing the real-world skills. It was a moment of immense pride when two of Dr. Saida’s students exhibited their project titled “ Self-Configured Charging of Electric Vehicles: A Concept towards Electrified Roads at the annual global event Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2022 and garnered lots of interest from the local and global audience. The students’ confidence and their enthusiasm in their project served as the catalyst for one of them landing a lucrative job with the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology and the other one awaiting her orders.
Dr. Saida is an active researcher and has published in renowned journals, contributing to academic discourse on various fields. In addition to conducting research in language and literature, Dr. Saida’s passion also lies in sustainability and the environment. Dr. Saida’s goals include furthering her research on sustainability, exploring interdisciplinary collaborations with colleagues in related fields and continuing to mentor and guide students in their academic and professional pursuits.
Currently, Dr. Saida is working on the connection between the Harry Potter series and the development of 21st century skills. Furthermore, Dr. Saida’s commitment to sustainability and the environment has her exploring the hospitality industry in one of the Emirates for sustainable practices as well as the initiatives undertaken by the emirates to promote sustainable tourism.
Being actively engaged in the academic community, Dr. Saida serves on various College Committees and is a member of International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language (IATEFL), TESOL International Association, European Association of Teachers of Academic Writing (EATAW), and English Language Teachers Association of India, fostering collaborative relationships within the field. Dr. Saida plays a pivotal role in integrating technology into the curriculum, creating a student-centred learning environment, thus enhancing the learning experience for students.
Looking ahead, Dr. Saida remains committed to contributing to the academic community through research, teaching and mentorship. A proud member of Higher Colleges of Technology, Dr. Saida is dedicated to upholding the college’s commitment to excellence in education and research. Dr. Saida looks forward to fostering a dynamic environment at Higher Colleges of Technology and contributing to the intellectual growth of students and the advancement of knowledge.