Managing & Developing the Workforce during Times of Economic Downturn

8th International Conference of the Academy of HRD (Asia Chapter) &
1st International Conference of the Academy of HRD (MENA Chapter)

Location:

Kindly note that, due to circumstances beyond our control, the MENA/Asia conference venue has been changed to the Intercontinental Regency, Bahrain.

If you have made arrangements to stay at the Diplomat Hotel, buses will be provided to transfer delegates to and from the hotel venue.

December 12 – 15, 2009
(Pre-conference Workshops: December 12-13, 2009)

Click here to download the Registration Form

PreConference Workshops

Click here to download this as a Word document.

1) Developing Philosophical Inquiry Skills for HRD Professionals (1/2 day)
Morning, December 12
Russell Korte, Assistant Professor
K. Peter Kuchinke, Associate Professor
Department of Human Resource Education, College of Education, University of Illinois at Preconference Practice Workshop Proposal (1/2 day)

This half-day preconference workshop provides an opportunity for participants to engage in reflective dialogue with the goal of developing philosophical inquiry skills. The session will invite HRD scholars and practitioners to work in a cooperative inquiry environment and identify, evaluate, and synthesize a more coherent view of Human Resource Development (HRD) from a philosophical perspective and, on a deeper level advance the ongoing discussion about the philosophical underpinnings of the field.

2) Linking Evaluation Theory and HRD (1/2 day)
Afternoon, December 12
Darlene Russ-Eft, Professor and Chair
Adult Education & Higher Education Leadership, College of Education, Oregon State University

The purpose of this session is to introduce participants to a systems approach to evaluation. Furthermore, participants will learn about a variety of theoretical approaches to evaluation in HRD and put this knowledge to use. Organizations are increasingly asking their employees to evaluate the processes and outcomes of their training, organization development, organizational learning, performance improvement, and instructional technology efforts. HRD evaluation has relied on the Kirkpatrick taxonomy (1959a,b; 1960a,b; 1994) for decades. More recently, however, researchers and evaluators have criticized this taxonomy (e.g., Holton, 1996; Swanson & Holton, 1999; Russ-Eft & Preskill, 2009). Evaluation is a process for enhancing knowledge and decision-making within organizations and communities. It involves answering questions and addressing issues through the collection and analysis of data about programs, systems, processes, procedures, products, and services. As such, it is best implemented as a systematic process that is planned and purposeful, and with a clear intention of using the evaluation findings.

3) Quality Management Tools in Human Resource Development (1/2 day)
Morning, December 13
Mesut Akdere, Assistant Professor
Department of Administrative Leadership, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

This workshop is an introduction to the quality management tools developed by the American Society for Quality. Eight quality management tools will be introduced through an interactive and participative workshop format. The participants will be expected to apply each tool in group settings as related to HRD.

4) Sight-seeing in Bahrain (1/2 day)
Afternoon, December 13 (Choose one)

a) CULTURE AND TRADITION
Al Khamis Mosque, Bahrain’s oldest mosque
The Islamic art museum, Bait Al Quran, with its impressive collections of Koran’s arts
Walk through the old charming souk of Muharraq with a stop in a traditional sweet shop
Sheikh Isa’s house, a former ruler’s residence from the 19th century
The Arad Fort, a fort dating back to the end of the 15th century and a traditional coffee shop

b) FASCINATING CAPITAL
The largest mosque of Bahrain, the Al Fateh Mosque, which respects the lines of traditional Arabic architecture
The National Museum, you will learn about the history and traditions of this fascinating country
The old gate of Bab Al Bahrain reaching the Souk of Manama where is time to shop

c) ISLAND OF GOLDEN SMILES
Drive through traditional villages on the North Coast passing by the Bahrain Fort, which is commonly known as Portuguese Fort.
Drive along one of the most expensive bridges in the world, the 25km long King Fahed Causeway, which leads you to the Saudi Arabia checkpoint to enjoy the beautiful view from the Causeway Tower, while drinking coffee or tea
Drive to the Riffa Fort via the green West Coast and its rural villages
Back to Manama passing the West Riffa, the palace area of the Royal family

d) BAHRAIN’S NATURE
Drive through Hamad Town to the Al Areen Wildlife Park. You can see indigenous Arabian species in their natural habitat.
Driving past Bahrain’s highest point, Jebel Dukhan reaching the First Oil Well discovered in the Gulf and the nearby Oil Museum, with its unique photographic exhibition. Finally, stop at the Tree of Life, which is surrounded by desert.

e) BACK TO THE ROOTS
Drive through the small town Karbabad where the tradition of basket weaving is still practiced. Visit the Bahrain Fort, commonly known as the Portuguese Fort. The tour includes a visit of the Barbar Temple, which was dedicated to the worship of Enki, the god of spring water. A short drive away is the biggest archaeological sight of Bahrain, located close to the village of Saar. Before visiting the Jasrah House, where the father of the Emir of Bahrain was born, you stop at the Handicraft Center. In the small tour of A’ali, famous for the so-called King’s Tombs, discover the village of Craft Pottery.

Call for Papers

Deadline for Bahrain Asian/MENA AHRD conference extended to November 7, 2009. See the new Call for Papers.

For more information:

Accommodations

Please refer to the Call for Papers for accommodation information.