A Dubai university will confer degrees by drone at a midsummer drive-in convocation ceremony next month.
The outbreak of Covid-19 led to the cancellation of the American University in the Emirates' annual traditional ceremony so organisers came up with creative way to confer degrees upon the 2020 graduating class as way to allow family to attend the event while observing social distancing guidelines.
“We started thinking, how we can deliver this graduation ceremony to make all the students happy and their parents happy and then we came with this idea,” said Muthanna Abdul Razzaq, the university’s president. “The idea is simple and it’s creative and we think it’s the first for the region and maybe the world.”
University staff is in discussion with Guinness World Records officials on whether it would be eligible for a world record.
Mr Abdul Razzaq said the ceremony will take place on July 15, to honour the birthday of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.
On the big day, students will drive to pre-assigned parking spaces at the university’s car park, tune into a local radio channel and wait for their name to come across the airwaves so they can step out of the vehicle and receive their degree. A fleet of 20 drones will deliver certificates to each graduate.
Once degrees are awarded, there will be a light show with 120 drones to honour the university's 470 graduates.
“We really thought a lot about how we can make our students happy, our faculty happy in such a crisis," said Mr Abdul Razzaq.
American University in the Emirates is a private university in Dubai International Academic City that was established in 2006.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
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Our legal advisor
Ahmad El Sayed is Senior Associate at Charles Russell Speechlys, a law firm headquartered in London with offices in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong.
Experience: Commercial litigator who has assisted clients with overseas judgments before UAE courts. His specialties are cases related to banking, real estate, shareholder disputes, company liquidations and criminal matters as well as employment related litigation.
Education: Sagesse University, Beirut, Lebanon, in 2005.
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
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What is myofascial pain syndrome?
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What is myofascial or trigger-point release?
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Wednesday April 24: Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, 11am-6pm
Thursday April 25: Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, 11am-5pm
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Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
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France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
