Dr David Schmidt, president of American University in Dubai, said it is vital that degree courses with an eye on the future be sustainable. Chris Whiteoak/The National
Dr David Schmidt, president of American University in Dubai, said it is vital that degree courses with an eye on the future be sustainable. Chris Whiteoak/The National
Dr David Schmidt, president of American University in Dubai, said it is vital that degree courses with an eye on the future be sustainable. Chris Whiteoak/The National
Dr David Schmidt, president of American University in Dubai, said it is vital that degree courses with an eye on the future be sustainable. Chris Whiteoak/The National

Futuristic UAE university courses cannot be just 'trendy' but must meet national need


Anam Rizvi
  • English
  • Arabic

Dubai universities are moving with the times by expanding their degree offerings to ensure learners are equipped to meet the challenges of the modern age.

Institutes are introducing innovative courses covering subjects such as artificial intelligence, 3D construction and special needs education.

Education leaders said it was crucial to provide students with the skill-sets required in a changing world, while not being enticed by "trendy" subjects without long-term benefits.

Business courses and engineering degrees have traditionally been favoured by students in the emirate, but universities are diversifying to meet demand.

American University in Dubai will soon be launching a one-year masters in artificial intelligence, a one-year masters in innovation, and another masters in robotics.

The university is also planning to launch programmes focusing on intellectual property and innovation management, urban design, robotics and 3D construction.

Dr David Schmidt, president of American University in Dubai, said the move to extend its degree options is made with great care.

“We try to balance our core undergraduate curriculum while constantly improving it, and making new offerings," said Dr Schmidt.

"We have to make sure we have the facilities and that these programmes are sustainable and we do so cautiously."

Dr Schmidt said that universities need to balance industry needs and when launching new courses cannot be swayed by public opinion or "the flavour of the day."

"You do not want to offer something that is trendy. You have to be cautious and look at whether you have the material, the faculty and the expertise."

Imad Hoballah, provost and chief academic officer at American University in Dubai, said the new courses are geared at boosting the employability of students.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates - October 23, 2019: The opening of the largest 3D printed two-story structure in the world. Wednesday the 23rd of October 2019. Warsan, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Dubai, United Arab Emirates - October 23, 2019: The opening of the largest 3D printed two-story structure in the world. Wednesday the 23rd of October 2019. Warsan, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

"We are revisiting the programmes to make sure we include soft skills and have new ways of teaching.

"We are introducing new programmes such as the artificial intelligence programme that build on what we have before and are aligned to the industry's needs."

At the university's Centre for 3D printing, the impact and lifespan of 3D constructed material is to be studied.

It is a timely course, given the fact Dubai Municipality unveiled the world's largest 3D printed building in October.

Officials said 3D printing techniques would transform how the construction sector operates, reducing costs and improving efficiency.

We have to make sure we have the facilities and that these programmes are sustainable

University of Birmingham Dubai said it is also focusing on a "national need" by launching courses to increase numbers of Arabic teachers.

"There is a significant need to support the growth of home grown teachers," said Ben Bailey, director of campus operations at University of Birmingham Dubai.

"Teacher training is an area of focus and we have new programmes in primary and secondary education, and have added a post graduate certificate in education of Arabic.

"We have listened to partners like the KHDA and Ministry of Education and they want to see improvement in Arabic standards in schools."

The university's year-long postgraduate certificate in education is aimed at teaching assistants or people who want to become teachers.

As of September, the seat of learning will also have new masters programmes in computer science, law, international commercial law and in civil engineering.

The university has launched a three-year bachelors in psychology with a focus on social psychology, while masters programmes in artificial intelligence and computer science, arbitration and maritime law are also in the pipeline.

Middlesex University in Dubai is another institute broadening its offerings

"Once the university has got a base of students, it can venture into various areas," said Cedwyn Fernandes, pro-vice chancellor of the university.

He said the university's programmes in education are in high demand as they focus on teaching children with special needs.

The university is helping to shape creative minds with the launch of courses in fashion design, fashion communication and creative writing.

"We also plan to launch a bachelors in creative writing in September 2020," he said.

"People are realising the importance of creative programmes."

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Sand Castle

Director: Matty Brown

Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea

Rating: 2.5/5

The specs: Audi e-tron

Price, base: From Dh325,000 (estimate)

Engine: Twin electric motors and 95kWh battery pack

Transmission: Single-speed auto

Power: 408hp

Torque: 664Nm

Range: 400 kilometres

MANDOOB
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Results

5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,200m. Winner: Majd Al Megirat, Sam Hitchcott (jockey), Ahmed Al Shehhi (trainer)

5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m. Winner: Dassan Da, Patrick Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi

6pm: Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic Prestige (PA) Dh110,000 (T) 1,400m. Winner: Heba Al Wathba, Richard Mullen, Jean de Roualle

6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Colts Classic Prestige (PA) Dh110,000 (T) 1,400m. Winner: Hameem, Adrie de Vries, Abdallah Al Hammadi

7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m. Winner: Jawal Al Reef, Richard Mullen, Ahmed Al Mehairbi

Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 (T) 2,200m. Winner: Harbour Spirit, Adrie de Vries, Jaber Ramadhan.

About Takalam

Date started: early 2020

Founders: Khawla Hammad and Inas Abu Shashieh

Based: Abu Dhabi

Sector: HealthTech and wellness

Number of staff: 4

Funding to date: Bootstrapped

ELIO

Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett

Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina

Rating: 4/5

Conflict, drought, famine

Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.

Band Aid

Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.

Tips to stay safe during hot weather
  • Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
  • Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
  • Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
  • Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
  • Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
  • Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
  • Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
THE CLOWN OF GAZA

Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah 

Starring: Alaa Meqdad

Rating: 4/5

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.
UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

While you're here
What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

How to wear a kandura

Dos

  • Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion 
  • Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
  • Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work 
  • Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester

Don’ts 

  • Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal 
  • Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
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

if you go

The flights

Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.

The hotel

Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.

The tour

Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg

Company%C2%A0profile
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Washmen Profile

Date Started: May 2015

Founders: Rami Shaar and Jad Halaoui

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: Laundry

Employees: 170

Funding: about $8m

Funders: Addventure, B&Y Partners, Clara Ventures, Cedar Mundi Partners, Henkel Ventures

The%20pillars%20of%20the%20Dubai%20Metaverse%20Strategy
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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
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups

Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.

Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.

Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.

Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.

Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.

Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.

Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.

Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.