The Leadership Series with Ralph Azar
Ralph Recruitment had the pleasure of recently connecting with Ralph Azar, Business Development Manager MEA at McGraw-Hill to gain further insights into how the company, who have been operating for over 130 years, have continued to grow and adapt in a rapidly changing education sector. Ralph, who is based in the UAE, shared his thoughts and experiences on life in Dubai, the future of education and the innovative changes McGraw-Hill have made in recent years as they continue as leaders in the market.
Having lived in the UAE for many years, how would you describe the country for those who are considering a move abroad?
The UAE, and Dubai specifically is a great place to live and work. Dubai has been my home since October 2006 and I had the privilege of working with people from around the globe, learn about their cultures, and broaden my horizons. If you’re looking to work in over a hundred countries in one single place, Dubai is where you need to be.
Tell us a little about your journey in the education sector?
It started by pure coincidence when I worked for a company called ITS in 2004. I was hired as a sales rep to sell software into the banking and higher education sectors. Didn’t go so well for me in banking, found my calling in education, specifically higher education. I was lucky enough to have a colleague who explained higher education to me from A to Z and shared his knowledge and expertise with me. That’s when I found out where my passion lies and what I want to be doing from that point forward.
How would you describe your role within McGraw Hill?
I support the Middle East and Africa teams with government relations and major/strategic public and private sector opportunities. I develop and execute the strategy to enter new markets (or sectors) including analysis of market sizing, assessment of market dynamics, and formation of strategic partnerships.
I also had the privilege of representing the company in several industry conferences, round-table meetings, and other global events.
McGraw Hill have been creating and publishing content for educators and educational organisations for over 130 years. What innovative changes/adaptations have been made in order to remain ‘on point’ in recent years?
This is a very interesting question; McGraw Hill has made several innovative changes and adaptations in recent years to remain at the forefront of the education industry. The ones that are most notable are:
- Digital Transformation: McGraw Hill shifted its focus from print materials to digital resources, offering a wide range of online textbooks, adaptive learning programs, and assessment tools. This transformation has allowed the company to provide more personalized and engaging learning experiences for students and teachers.
- AI-powered Learning Solutions: McGraw Hill has incorporated artificial intelligence (AI) into one of its learning solutions, ALEKS, to help students learn math and chemistry more efficiently and effectively. ALEKS is adaptive, interactive, and engaging, and includes multimedia, gamification, and social learning features. ALEKS’s AI can assess student performance, provide personalized feedback, and adapt to each student’s unique learning style.
- Data-Driven Approach: McGraw Hill has adopted a data-driven approach to education, using analytics and insights to identify student learning gaps and personalize learning experiences accordingly.
- Collaborations: McGraw Hill partnered with various educational institutions and organizations to develop new learning solutions and improve existing ones.
- Diversity and Inclusion: McGraw Hill made a concerted effort to promote diversity and inclusion in its learning materials, offering resources that reflect a wide range of cultural perspectives and experiences. This has helped the company to create more inclusive and equitable learning environments for all students.
Overall, these changes and adaptations helped McGraw Hill to stay relevant in the rapidly evolving education industry and continue to provide high-quality learning solutions for students and teachers.
When building a team around you, what character strengths/traits do you look for in team members?
This is a simple one. I look for mindset over skillset (you can always teach someone a certain skill!). I look for someone who is coachable, has drive, has wits, willing to learn, not afraid to make mistakes (and admit it!), does not give excuses, and – most importantly – does what needs to be done regardless of job descriptions.
Where do you see the future of education headed? Have you seen any modifications to curriculum or approaches to learning that you feel may require a pivot in traditional methods?
Good question. The pace of change, especially in technology, is changing everything… fast! The future of education is likely to be shaped by a combination of technological advancements, changing student needs, expectations, and evolving workforce demands. I believe that some of the key trends and modifications that may require a pivot in traditional methods:
- Personalized Learning: Tailor education to the individual needs, interests, and strengths of each student. With the right technology, educators can provide students with personalized learning experiences that meet their unique learning styles and abilities.
- Blended Learning: This approach has become increasingly popular, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, and is likely to continue to grow in the future.
- Competency-Based Education: CBE is an approach that focuses on mastering specific skills and competencies rather than completing a set amount of time in class. This approach requires a shift from the traditional credit-hour-based system. CBE allows students to progress at their own pace and demonstrate mastery of skills before moving on to the next level.
- Project-Based Learning: PBL focuses on real-world problems and encourages students to collaborate, think critically, and develop problem-solving skills. This approach helps students become more engaged in their learning and develop skills that are essential for success in the workforce.
- Digital Literacy: With the increasing importance of technology in education and the workplace, digital literacy has become an essential skill for students to master.
- Life-Long Learning: With the rapid pace of technological change, students will need to continue learning throughout their lives to keep up with the demands of the workforce.
What are your thoughts around AI and how it may influence learning and education, either positively or negatively?
I can tell you that AI has the potential to positively influence learning and education by providing personalized learning experiences, automating administrative tasks, and improving learning outcomes. However, it is important to be mindful of potential negative effects, including issues around protecting student privacy and security.
On the positive side, AI can provide personalized learning experiences that adapt to the unique needs, abilities, and learning styles of each student. AI-powered learning tools can analyze student performance, provide immediate feedback, and adjust learning activities to match the student’s pace and skill level. This can help students learn more efficiently and effectively and improve their overall learning outcomes. AI can also help teachers by automating administrative tasks such as grading, record-keeping, and creating lesson plans. This can free up teachers’ time to focus on more personalized instruction, building relationships with students, and providing support where it is most needed.
On the negative side, AI may contribute to a lack in critical thinking if students are too reliant on AI-powered tools to solve problems and make decisions. It will be important for educators and policymakers to ensure that AI is used in ways that protect student privacy and security.
That said, a careful balance between the two should do the trick and help in making the learning experience so much better.
Do you have a personal or educational motto that you live by?
It is more of a personal one, “keep it simple!”