Minerva was already hosting virtual classes and group sessions long before the pandemic hit. Courtesy: Minerva Project
Minerva was already hosting virtual classes and group sessions long before the pandemic hit. Courtesy: Minerva Project
Minerva was already hosting virtual classes and group sessions long before the pandemic hit. Courtesy: Minerva Project
Minerva was already hosting virtual classes and group sessions long before the pandemic hit. Courtesy: Minerva Project

Zayed University strikes deal with Minerva to transform degree-based learning


Anam Rizvi
  • English
  • Arabic

Zayed University has signed a deal with a groundbreaking American innovator to transform the way its students learn.

The agreement with Minerva Project is aimed at ensuring students have cross-disciplinary skills that are relevant in a fast-changing global job market.

Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Youth and President of Zayed University, said the partnership will "build a new way of learning" for students.

"Zayed University X Minerva has been launched to create the next generation of problem solvers, equipping them with relevant and applicable skills to attain lasting success and overcome future challenges," Ms Al Kaabi said.

This programme will ensure that the outstanding students who graduate from will be equipped with enduring, future-proof skills regardless of the career paths they choose

Zayed University will offer four-year bachelor’s degrees in three new disciplines – business transformation, computational systems and social innovation – starting in September.

The other programmes will continue undisturbed.

In its first year, the new programmes will accept up to 250 students. They will prepare the students for the job market.

The business transformation programme will focus on market dynamics, business innovation and financial planning, ​but also teach students how to take an idea from concept to marketplace.

The social innovation course will merge aspects of psychology and political science with economics and arts.

Classes will be conducted on Minerva’s virtual learning platform, Forum, and in-person lessons will be held on Zayed University’s campuses in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

"This interdisciplinary programme will ensure that the outstanding students who graduate will be equipped with enduring, future-proof skills regardless of the career paths they choose," said Ben Nelson, founder and chief executive of Minerva Project.

“These skills are not learnt by listening to lectures, but through active learning, experiential activities and professional immersion."

Faculty members will be trained in the Minerva teaching methodology, which makes extensive use of polls, debates and collaborative work.

Through these programmes, students will be taught skills in leadership, global citizenship and community engagement.

Students will also spend time working in groups.

How to apply for class of 2021

Applications must be submitted by July 5 with test scores for the Emirates Standardised Test, International English Language Testing System, and high school transcripts.

Students must write an essay and send a self-recorded interview answering some questions.

The second cycle of applications will be open from July 6 to August 10.

Zayed University President Noura Al Kaabi with Ben Nelson, founder of Minerva. Courtesy: Zayed University
Zayed University President Noura Al Kaabi with Ben Nelson, founder of Minerva. Courtesy: Zayed University
Quick pearls of wisdom

Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”

Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.” 

About Karol Nawrocki

• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.

• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.

• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.

• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.

Selected fixtures

All times UAE

Wednesday
Poland v Portugal 10.45pm
Russia v Sweden 10.45pm

Friday
Belgium v Switzerland 10.45pm
Croatia v England 10.45pm

Saturday
Netherlands v Germany 10.45pm
Rep of Ireland v Denmark 10.45pm

Sunday
Poland v Italy 10.45pm

Monday
Spain v England 10.45pm

Tuesday
France v Germany 10.45pm
Rep of Ireland v Wales 10.45pm

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
TICKETS

Tickets start at Dh100 for adults, while children can enter free on the opening day. For more information, visit www.mubadalawtc.com.

ULTRA PROCESSED FOODS

- Carbonated drinks, sweet or savoury packaged snacks, confectionery, mass-produced packaged breads and buns 

- Margarines and spreads; cookies, biscuits, pastries, cakes, and cake mixes, breakfast cereals, cereal and energy bars

- Energy drinks, milk drinks, fruit yoghurts and fruit drinks, cocoa drinks, meat and chicken extracts and instant sauces

- Infant formulas and follow-on milks, health and slimming products such as powdered or fortified meal and dish substitutes

- Many ready-to-heat products including pre-prepared pies and pasta and pizza dishes, poultry and fish nuggets and sticks, sausages, burgers, hot dogs, and other reconstituted meat products, powdered and packaged instant soups, noodles and desserts

Sanchez's club career

2005-2006: Cobreloa

2006-2011 Udinese

2006-2007 Colo-Colo (on loan)

2007-2008 River Plate (on loan)

2011-2014 Barcelona

2014–Present Arsenal

While you're here
Specs

Engine: 51.5kW electric motor

Range: 400km

Power: 134bhp

Torque: 175Nm

Price: From Dh98,800

Available: Now

The biog

Favourite book: Animal Farm by George Orwell

Favourite music: Classical

Hobbies: Reading and writing

 

The specs: 2018 Volkswagen Teramont

Price, base / as tested Dh137,000 / Dh189,950

Engine 3.6-litre V6

Gearbox Eight-speed automatic

Power 280hp @ 6,200rpm

Torque 360Nm @ 2,750rpm

Fuel economy, combined 11.7L / 100km

The specs

Engine: 1.5-litre turbo

Power: 181hp

Torque: 230Nm

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

Starting price: Dh79,000

On sale: Now

Sole survivors
  • Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
  • George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
  • Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
  • Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
UK-EU trade at a glance

EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years

Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products

Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries

Smoother border management with use of e-gates

Cutting red tape on import and export of food

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The Settlers

Director: Louis Theroux

Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz

Rating: 5/5

Analysis

Members of Syria's Alawite minority community face threat in their heartland after one of the deadliest days in country’s recent history. Read more

T20 WORLD CUP QUALIFIER

Results

UAE beat Nigeria by five wickets

Hong Kong beat Canada by 32 runs

Friday fixtures

10am, Tolerance Oval, Abu Dhabi – Ireland v Jersey

7.30pm, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi – Canada v Oman

The National Archives, Abu Dhabi

Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.

Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en

The Vines - In Miracle Land
Two stars

Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha

Starring: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shantanu Maheshwari, Jimmy Shergill, Saiee Manjrekar

Director: Neeraj Pandey

Rating: 2.5/5