A degree in mothering??

From the National..

A new university in Ajman promises to make better mothers out of women by educating them about topics ranging from their rights to pedicures.

The University College for Mothering and Family Science, according to its founders, is the first university in the world to offer a bachelor's degree in the "mothering profession". Dr Nizar al Ani, the director of the university, said the four-year programme aims to prepare women to be good mothers through academic and vocational training.

"Motherhood is a profession which needs to be studied," he said. "This is specifically important in our society because of the high speed of change: nowadays, how to be a good mother is not merely passed from mother to daughter." The programme is important in the UAE because there are serious problems in society, he said, including householders' dependency on maids to run the family, and a high divorce rate.

According to studies cited by Dr al Ani, 80 per cent of parents' tasks and responsibilities for children in Gulf families are taken care of by maids. "On average, there is a minimum of two maids per household in the UAE. This dependency is dangerous, and we need to raise awareness among women on such matters by preparing and educating them," said Dr al Ani. "By preparing women with the right tools to create a healthy family, we will overcome such problems."

The course programme, which is accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education, is divided into three sections. The first deals with women's civic and legal rights, including her Islamic rights as a woman and mother. The second teaches her how to run a household with courses in cooking, home decoration, personal fitness and grooming. The third focuses on raising children. The university itself is a private venture launched by 11 investors. The Ajman government provided the building in which it is situated.

http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/education/university-offers-degree-in-mothering