This document contains an oral history project conducted by Fahad Al Hashimi with Mansour Seck, a 69-year-old man from Senegal who has lived in the UAE since 1992. The project includes an abstract, introduction, background on the project, biographical notes on Mansour, and a summary of the interview conducted. In the interview, Mansour discusses how Abu Dhabi has changed tremendously from a sparse area with few buildings to a modern, developed city with many malls and entertainment options. He also notes changes in leisure activities, sports, and society over time in the UAE. The project helps improve Fahad's communication and information gathering skills.

1. Oral History project 1
Oral history project
Fahad Al Sayed Abdulla Al Hashimi
Abu Dhabi Men’s College, Higher College of Technology
Author Note
Fahad Al Hashimi, General Studies Division, Abu Dhabi Men’s College, Higher
College of Technology
Contact: S950001961@hct.ac.ae

2. Oral History project 2
Table of Contents
Abstract .............................................................................................................3
Introduction .......................................................................................................3
Background to the project ...................................................................................3
Research.............................................................................................................4
Biographical Note............................................................................………4
Interview……………………………………………………………………………..4
Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………...……5
References……………………………………………………………………………………7
Appendices………………………………………………………………………………..…8
Appendix A Research Consent form……………………………………………...8
Appendix B Interview Questionnaire……………………………………………10

3. Oral History project 3
Abstract
Oral History interviews are interesting, fun and a valuable resource. Interviewing
members of the community can tell us, not only personal details about the individual,
but also allow us to discover things about the local area, attitudes at the time, religious
practices, education, sport, leisure, and society in the past, present and future.
Introduction
My mission is to assist my teacher in exploring oral history. I am happy to provide this
manual as a resource and guide to oral history interviewing. This manual includes tips
on designing an oral history project; notes on preparing, conducting, and processing
interviews; equipment suggestions; interview forms and sample documents; guidelines
for transcribers; and additional resources.
The purpose is to get out of the interviewee as much information as possible so we need
to make them feel relaxed and comfortable.
Before I begin, I read the parts of my guidelines most relevant to the goals and scope of
my project. I hope that it will give a strong foundation from which to develop my
research and refine my interviewing skills.
Background to the Project
Oral history is about the collection and study of historical information using tape
recordings of interviews with people having personal knowledge of past events.
The UAE has changed over the last 40 years because of the discovery of oil. My project
will show the differences between the UAE then and now. Concerning the leisure and
sport activities in the UAE, in the recent past people were engaged in digging the water

4. Oral History project 4
and finding the food or playing a traditional sport such as camel race or falcon hunts.
However, the time is changing and the quality of the life is improving even in sport,
leisure, and society as well. Nowadays, people have more free time and, therefore, they
need to spend it in some way and they have this opportunity considering the current
range of entertainment services in the UAE.
Our interviewee has a big experience by living in UAE for long time since 1992 and he
spend most of the time in UAE and as he said to me “I am so lucky to live in the UAE
nowadays. I believe the UAE is one of the best countries in the world. I hope in the
future the UAE moves forward.”
Research
Biographical Notes
His name is Mansour Seck and he is 69 years old, he was born in Senegal Where he
studied until he obtained his Primary Certificate then he moved to Morocco where he
obtained his Baccalaurean then he come back to Senegal and participated in a contest
initiated by the Lebanese embassy in Senegal where he gained a scholarship to continue
his study in Lebanon at the International Dekwaneh school then to the UAB in Beirut
where he obtained his BA. Afterward, he moved to the United States to complete his
Administration studies. Finally, he moved to the UAE and he is working in Uni Arab
company from 1992 till now as manager in logistics and expediting.
Interview
In the very beginning of the interview, I welcome Mr. Mansour Seck and I thank
him for his time which he spends to answer my questions. The improvements and

5. Oral History project 5
developments touch every place in the company. One of the most visible difference is
the working style. To this end, there is now much creativity in the work. The
technological level of the company has also been improved: the employees use up-to-
date computers and the modern software as well.
As Mr. Mansour Seck is working under such great conditions. however, his age
is old but he has enough time for a hobby. He used to play football on the beach but
nowadays they not allowed to play over there because now they have to rent a pitch and
pay the fees for rent in hours to play. About swimming he still goes to beach and is free
and he still enjoys it. Finally, the government provides the roads for running and
walking, as well as different physical machines to do exercises free for the public.
At the end of the interview, I ask about Abu Dhabi in the past and now. He talks
about Abu Dhabi before and now It was almost like a bush with no light everywhere, no
big buildings but, now the technology has changed the whole town and everywhere is
green and propitious. For example, in leisure before only Hamdan Center and only two
cinemas but now there are a lot of malls and cinemas. On Sport the competitor of UAE
teams were few but nowadays all teams around the UAE are a good team. About society
he said that locals from the UAE are still the same as in the past and now they are very
friendly, but the only change is the security are everywhere in the malls not like before
which is good to be secure to be safe in this country.
Conclusion
To sum up, this project helps me to up the level of my skills of communication
and information collection. Also, I can say that the overall situation in the terms of the
working conditions and the environment for the leisure activities have been

6. Oral History project 6
significantly improved in the UAE. People become more satisfied with the workplaces
as it is modern now. There are also a great number of options how to spend spare time.
The government provides lots of facilities which attract people. Thus, there is a clear
balance between the work and the life of every individual. About HCT graduate
outcomes I think my mission is completed by covering all the guidelines by the teacher
or by process of the project.

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References
1. ALI H00154993. (2010, March 28). Retrieved June 18, 2016, from
http://alih00154993.blogspot.ae/2010/03/uae-has-changed-enormously-over-last-
40_2886.html
2. Langton, J. (2013, December 01). Recreation for the nation: Our history of
leisure in the UAE. Retrieved June 18, 2016, from
http://www.thenational.ae/uae/heritage/recreation-for-the-nation-our-history-of-
leisure-in-the-uae
3. Oral Oral History: DefinedHistory: Defined. (n.d.). Retrieved June 18, 2016,
from http://www.oralhistory.org/about/do-oral-history

8. Oral History project 8
Appendix A - Research Consent Form
RESEARCH CONSENT FORM
I understand that:
 that I am not required to participate in this research project and that I
may cease my participation at any time.
 any information which I give will be used solely for the purposes of this
research project.
 all information I give will be treated as confidential.
Name of Participant: Mansour Seck
Signature of Participant: Mansour Seck
Date: 14/06/2016
If you have any concerns about the project that you would like to discuss,
please contact me at:
S950001961@hct.ac.ae
Or, you may contact the course instructor:
Mr. Mark Vevers
Instructor
Abu Dhabi Men’s College
Higher Colleges of Technology
Abu Dhabi
UAE
mvevers@hct.ac.ae

9. Oral History project 9
PEER AGREEMENT FORM
This is to confirm that:
 I Fahad Al Hashimi S950001961 have listened to the audio recording of
Mansour Seck interview which was carried out on 14/6/2016 at 1 p.m as
part of his/her LSS 3003 Sports, Leisure and Society course.
 I have also read the report based on the interview and confirm that the
report is a fair representation of the interview.
Signature: Fahad Al Hashimi
Date: 14/6/2016
Email contact: S950001961@hct.ac.ae

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Appendix B - Interview Questionnaire
1. Tell me about yourself?
His name is Mansour Seck and he is 69 years old, he was born in Senegal Where he
studied until he obtained his Primary Certificate then he moved to Morocco where he
obtained his Baccalaurean then he come back to Senegal and participated in a contest
initiated by the Lebanese embassy in Senegal where he gained a scholarship to continue
his study in Lebanon at the International Dekwaneh school then to the UAB in Beirut
where he obtained his BA. Afterward, he moved to the United States to complete his
Administration studies. Finally, he moved to the UAE and he is working in Uni Arab
company from 1992 till now as manager in logistics and expediting.
2. Describe Abu Dhabi when you first come and now? What is the different?
i talks about Abu Dhabi before and now It was almost like a bush with no light
everywhere, no big buildings but, now the technology has changed the whole town and
everywhere is green and propitious. For example, in leisure before only Hamdan Center
and only two cinemas but now there are a lot of malls and cinemas. On Sport the
competitor of UAE teams were few but nowadays all teams around the UAE are a good
team. About society the locals from the UAE are still the same as in the past and now
they are very friendly, but the only change is the security are everywhere in the malls
not like before which is good to be secure to be safe in this country.
3. Who were your friends at school? Do you still Contact with them?
A lot but, lost all contacts.

11. Oral History project 11
4. Did you have any hobbies?
Football and swimming, I used to play football on the beach but nowadays we not
allowed to play over there because now we have to rent a pitch and pay the fees for rent
in hours to play. About swimming i still goes to beach and is free and i still enjoys it.
Finally, the government provides the roads for running and walking, as well as different
physical machines to do exercises free for the public.
5. How did your relationship with your parents change when you became a
teenager?
I loved them more but felt like I need more freedom in all my actions including my
future and occupation choice but, whatever happened, I always gave them full respect
and always take their advice before taking any action.
6. What were your plans when you finished school? Education? Work?
To become a teacher but, at the end I flipped into the Banking system by joining
CITIBANK DAKAR-SENEGAL Where I started at the Cash counter as a Teller before
becoming the Letter of Credits Manager.
7. Did you have jobs during your teenage years? Doing what?
Yes, cleaning dishes at the hotels as a part time job in order for me to buy my School
books and to survive abroad as my parents could not satisfy all my needs and school
requirements.
8. What books did you read? What music did you listen to?
ALBERT CAMUS, who treated in his book the disease known as “ LA PESTE” at that
period of time. “ LA PESTE” is known as a disease speeded out the whole Algerian

12. Oral History project 12
towns and caused by rats which invaded the towns. I also opted for JABRAN KHALIL
JABRAN who treated Love Histories in his books.
9. How is work office in the past and now?
The improvements and developments touch every place in the company. One of the
most visible difference is the working style. To this end, there is now much creativity in
the work. The technological level of the company has also been improved: the
employees use up-to-date computers and the modern software as well.
10.Do you remember your first contact with such significant inventions as radio,
television, or a computer? When did your family first buy these items?
In 1960 when our neighbour had a grunding Radio before my Father got one in 1981.