Dr. Eman AbuKhousa, a Palestinian-Jordanian professor of information technology at the University of Europe for Applied Sciences in Dubai, is redefining financial literacy through a unique cultural lens. As a STEM champion and data science expert specializing in digital transformation strategies, she applies professional analytical rigor to personal finance while maintaining profound philosophical perspectives inherited from her heritage.
In a recent interview, Dr. AbuKhousa described money as both “a blessing and a test”—a concept deeply rooted in her cultural background where wealth is perceived as rizq (divine provision) rather than personal property. This duality shapes her approach: while she strategically manages finances through meticulous Excel sheet planning, she maintains awareness that money’s true value lies in its utilization for personal, familial, and communal benefit.
The professor credits her mother as her primary financial influence, recalling maternal wisdom that “in exile, money is like a homeland.” This proverb proved particularly prescient during a crisis when Dr. AbuKhousa found herself stranded abroad, realizing that financial resources represented not luxury but essential security and peace of mind.
Her financial education came through hard-won experience rather than textbooks. “Life itself” served as her most effective teacher, with overdue debts and emotional shopping sprees providing harsh but valuable lessons about fiscal responsibility.
Living in the UAE has significantly altered her financial perspective, introducing new budget categories like brunches and valet parking while fostering an environment where ambition and self-investment are normalized. The Emirates’ opportunity-rich landscape has reinforced her belief that financial independence means “having enough when you need it most” rather than pursuing excessive wealth.
Dr. AbuKhousa’s unconventional approach to money discussions involves self-dialogue through spreadsheets and occasional “financial therapy” sessions with trusted friends during dinners. Her advice to younger generations emphasizes that money’s value derives not from spending but from wise allocation, noting that “shoes wear out, trends fade, but choices made with sense turn money into real value.”