• Pupils at The Indian High School, the UAE's largest school, return to class after the summer holidays on Monday. Pawan Singh / The National
    Pupils at The Indian High School, the UAE's largest school, return to class after the summer holidays on Monday. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Pupils and staff will be required to wear masks indoors to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Masks are not required outside. Pawan Singh / The National
    Pupils and staff will be required to wear masks indoors to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Masks are not required outside. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Most of the country's pupils returned to school on Monday, while others are expected to start later in the week. Pawan Singh / The National
    Most of the country's pupils returned to school on Monday, while others are expected to start later in the week. Pawan Singh / The National
  • A flash mob made up of high school pupils dances at one school during a welcoming ceremony. Pawan Singh / The National
    A flash mob made up of high school pupils dances at one school during a welcoming ceremony. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Pupils attend the first assembly at The Indian High School in Oud Metha, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    Pupils attend the first assembly at The Indian High School in Oud Metha, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Dubai British School pupils arrive for the first day of school after the summer holidays. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Dubai British School pupils arrive for the first day of school after the summer holidays. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Dubai British School pupils arrive for the first day of school after the summer holidays. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Dubai British School pupils arrive for the first day of school after the summer holidays. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Dubai British School pupils arrive for the first day of school after the summer holidays. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Dubai British School pupils arrive for the first day of school after the summer holidays. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Pupils from Al Mamoura Academy in Abu Dhabi on their first day of classes after the summer break. Victor Besa / The National
    Pupils from Al Mamoura Academy in Abu Dhabi on their first day of classes after the summer break. Victor Besa / The National
  • Pupils from Al Mamoura Academy in Abu Dhabi on their first day of classes after the summer break. Victor Besa / The National
    Pupils from Al Mamoura Academy in Abu Dhabi on their first day of classes after the summer break. Victor Besa / The National
  • Pupils from Al Mamoura Academy in Abu Dhabi on their first day of classes after the summer break. Victor Besa / The National
    Pupils from Al Mamoura Academy in Abu Dhabi on their first day of classes after the summer break. Victor Besa / The National
  • Pupils from Al Mamoura Academy in Abu Dhabi on their first day of classes after the summer break. Victor Besa / The National
    Pupils from Al Mamoura Academy in Abu Dhabi on their first day of classes after the summer break. Victor Besa / The National
  • Pupils from Al Mamoura Academy in Abu Dhabi on their first day of classes after the summer break. Victor Besa / The National
    Pupils from Al Mamoura Academy in Abu Dhabi on their first day of classes after the summer break. Victor Besa / The National
  • Pupils from Al Mamoura Academy in Abu Dhabi on their first day of classes after the summer break. Victor Besa / The National
    Pupils from Al Mamoura Academy in Abu Dhabi on their first day of classes after the summer break. Victor Besa / The National
  • Children arrive for the first day of school after the summer holidays at Dubai British School. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Children arrive for the first day of school after the summer holidays at Dubai British School. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Parents drop off their children at Dubai British School after the long summer break. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Parents drop off their children at Dubai British School after the long summer break. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Many pupils were up before 6am to catch the school bus. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Many pupils were up before 6am to catch the school bus. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Parents see off their children before classes begin on Monday. Victor Besa / The National
    Parents see off their children before classes begin on Monday. Victor Besa / The National
  • Pupils at Al Mamoura Academy in Abu Dhabi returned to school on Monday. Victor Besa / The National
    Pupils at Al Mamoura Academy in Abu Dhabi returned to school on Monday. Victor Besa / The National
  • A young pupil greets a member of staff on the first day of school at Al Mamoura Academy. Victor Besa / The National
    A young pupil greets a member of staff on the first day of school at Al Mamoura Academy. Victor Besa / The National
  • Head teachers expressed their excitement at having children back on campus. Victor Besa / The National
    Head teachers expressed their excitement at having children back on campus. Victor Besa / The National
  • Children in class on the first day of school at Dubai British School. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Children in class on the first day of school at Dubai British School. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • A child arrives at Dubai British School. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    A child arrives at Dubai British School. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Kephren Sherry, head of primary at Citizens School Dubai, dressed up as superman while principal Tracy Moxley wore a Batman costume and director of learning Janice Butterworth put on a Ninja Turtle costume.
    Kephren Sherry, head of primary at Citizens School Dubai, dressed up as superman while principal Tracy Moxley wore a Batman costume and director of learning Janice Butterworth put on a Ninja Turtle costume.

UAE

Education

Dubai private school pupils do not need PCR tests to return to class, say authorities

Physical distancing rules and face masks in indoor spaces remain compulsory

Anam Rizvi
Anam Rizvi

August 26, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Latest: Sheikh Mohamed urges school pupils to dream big in classroom broadcast

Private school pupils in Dubai will not need to undergo a PCR test to return to class on the first day of term.

The latest guidelines from the Knowledge and Development Authority, which oversees private education in the emirate, state that there are no testing requirements.

An email sent to parents by the KHDA on Friday confirmed that existing health and safety policies at schools remained unchanged.

The email also informed parents that any updates on this would be communicated to them immediately.

Physical distancing will remain in place and people who have Covid-19 must isolate for 10 days. Face masks will remain compulsory indoors but are not required outdoors.

Pupils and staff who are close contacts of a person infected with the coronavirus but do not have any symptoms do not need to isolate and can attend school.

Abu Dhabi private school pupils aged 12 and above and staff will be required to take a PCR test before returning for the new academic year.

The emirate's Department of Education and Knowledge said a negative PCR test obtained no more than 96 hours before the first day of term on Monday must be presented.

These Covid-19 safety rules are in line with measures announced for government-run schools on Tuesday.

UAE pupils celebrate their GCSE results — in pictures

  • Rohan Radia receives his GCSE results at Brighton College, Dubai. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Rohan Radia receives his GCSE results at Brighton College, Dubai. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Thomas Bateson receives his GCSE results.
    Thomas Bateson receives his GCSE results.
  • Sarah (L) and Abdulla Alshamsi receive their GCSE results with their mother.
    Sarah (L) and Abdulla Alshamsi receive their GCSE results with their mother.
  • Sofiya Zhuravleva.
    Sofiya Zhuravleva.
  • Raaid Baloch.
    Raaid Baloch.
  • Rohan Radia (L) and Lily Sandilands.
    Rohan Radia (L) and Lily Sandilands.
  • Mariam Morsi (L) with Maryam Ibrahim (head pupil).
    Mariam Morsi (L) with Maryam Ibrahim (head pupil).
  • Mariam Morsi (L) with Maryam Ibrahim (head pupil) receive their GCSE results at Brighton College, Dubai.
    Mariam Morsi (L) with Maryam Ibrahim (head pupil) receive their GCSE results at Brighton College, Dubai.
  • Mariam Morsi receives her GCSE results.
    Mariam Morsi receives her GCSE results.
  • Riley George.
    Riley George.
  • Abdulla Alshamsi speaks to headmaster Simon Crane after receiving his GCSE results.
    Abdulla Alshamsi speaks to headmaster Simon Crane after receiving his GCSE results.
  • A student receiving her GCSE results at Brighton College, Dubai.
    A student receiving her GCSE results at Brighton College, Dubai.
  • Henry Fliss.
    Henry Fliss.
  • Sofiya Zhuravleva is overcome with emotion.
    Sofiya Zhuravleva is overcome with emotion.
Red flags
  • Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
  • Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
  • Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
  • Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
  • Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.

Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching

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if you go

The flights

Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes. 

The hotels

Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes. 

When to visit

March-May and September-November

Visas

Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.

The lowdown

Rating: 4/5

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEjari%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERiyadh%2C%20Saudi%20Arabia%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EYazeed%20Al%20Shamsi%2C%20Fahad%20Albedah%2C%20Mohammed%20Alkhelewy%20and%20Khalid%20Almunif%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPropTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETotal%20funding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%241%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESanabil%20500%20Mena%2C%20Hambro%20Perks'%20Oryx%20Fund%20and%20angel%20investors%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E8%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
While you're here

Michael Young: Where is Lebanon headed?

Kareem Shaheen: I owe everything to Beirut

Raghida Dergham: We have to bounce back

Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

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The specs

Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6

Power: 400hp

Torque: 475Nm

Transmission: 9-speed automatic

Price: From Dh215,900

On sale: Now

Company profile

Company: Rent Your Wardrobe 

Date started: May 2021 

Founder: Mamta Arora 

Based: Dubai 

Sector: Clothes rental subscription 

Stage: Bootstrapped, self-funded 

Explainer: Tanween Design Programme

Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.

The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.

It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.

The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.

Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”

Updated: August 30, 2022, 9:12 AM
SchoolsUAE