A university in Abu Dhabi announced on Tuesday it would implement remote learning “for the foreseeable future”, to allow students and staff the opportunity to continue their work from outside the UAE.
New York University Abu Dhabi said in a memo sent out to faculty members that the switch to remote operations would give people the flexibility to do as they feel comfortable based on advice from their embassies and foreign missions.
This includes voluntary departures for those who feel this is the best option, amid Iranian air strikes on the Emirates in recent days.
“This decision is not taken lightly, but reflects our assessment of current conditions and our commitment to your safety while continuing our academic mission,” NYUAD said.
“We recognise that you will have many questions and we want to be transparent that we will not have answers to all of them immediately.
“The situation remains fluid, and some decisions will require further co-ordination. We will provide regular updates as more information becomes available.”
NYUAD told The National it was providing support to any students or employees planning to leave the country.
“NYU Abu Dhabi moved all classes to remote instruction until further notice, and is assisting with the departure of any students, faculty or employees seeking to leave the area," the university said in a statement.
"The university will remain open, and will continue providing services to all community members remaining on campus.”
On site support
Essential services will remain available on the university campus. This week's scheduled events at The Arts Centre have been cancelled and the NYUAD Art Gallery closed.
Some students are ready to go back home until things settle down, and remote classes will make this easier for those planning to travel.
“Since there was some announcement that Americans should leave the Middle East, I think that started to scare a lot of people,” said student Catalin Botezat.
Remote learning extended
Schools and universities across the UAE will continue remote learning until Friday, authorities confirmed on Tuesday, with the ruling subject to continual assessment.
The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research said the directive would apply to all students and academic and administrative staff at public and private schools as well as universities.
The government had previously mandated all students to adopt remote learning from Monday to Wednesday as a safety measure, following the start of Iranian air strikes targeting the UAE.
Schools across the UAE have adjusted rapidly to the remote conditions, allowing pupils to continue the academic year with as few interruptions as possible.
“Our remote learning approach has been flexible but consistent providing a level of stability and enabling students to continue to engage with learning while managing what will be a challenging period for every household," said Peter Taylor, principal of Raha International, Khalifa City Campus.
"Safety continues to be central to all decisions made, we have adopted various approaches to daily communication ensuring that staff, students and families are well supported with well-being focused resources and targeted support, alongside age-relevant and high-quality academic activities.
“We continue to feel reassured and extremely well supported here, in the UAE, through adversity, unity is continuing to shine through.”
Also on Tuesday, the Central Board of Secondary Education in India issued a circular postponing examinations scheduled for March 5 and 6 for both Class X and Class XII after a “critical review of the current situation in parts of the Middle East”, stating they will announce new dates at a later time. This applies to all CBSE schools in the GCC and Iran.
