Emirati sprinter Hamda Al Hosani receives an honorary doctorate from Middlesex University in Dubai for raising the profile of women in sports and changing the perception of people with disabilities. The athlete - who won Special Olympics medals in the 100m and 200m - is recognised at a special ceremony at the Dubai Opera on Saturday. Courtesy: Middlesex University Dubai
Emirati sprinter Hamda Al Hosani receives an honorary doctorate from Middlesex University in Dubai for raising the profile of women in sports and changing the perception of people with disabilities. The athlete - who won Special Olympics medals in the 100m and 200m - is recognised at a special ceremony at the Dubai Opera on Saturday. Courtesy: Middlesex University Dubai
Emirati sprinter Hamda Al Hosani receives an honorary doctorate from Middlesex University in Dubai for raising the profile of women in sports and changing the perception of people with disabilities. The athlete - who won Special Olympics medals in the 100m and 200m - is recognised at a special ceremony at the Dubai Opera on Saturday. Courtesy: Middlesex University Dubai
Emirati sprinter Hamda Al Hosani receives an honorary doctorate from Middlesex University in Dubai for raising the profile of women in sports and changing the perception of people with disabilities. T

'Inspirational' Emirati Special Olympics sprinter Hamda Al Hosani receives honorary doctorate


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  • Arabic

She has more than 18 Special Olympic medals to her name but on Saturday, Emirati athlete Hamda Al Hosani added an honorary doctorate to her collection of accolades.

The 100m and 200m sprinter was presented with a doctorate degree from Middlesex University Dubai for her achievements in sports and for empowering people with disabilities.

The degree was handed to her during a special ceremony at the Dubai Opera on Saturday, after which about 1,000 university students received their degrees.

Hamda's story is moving because from not even being able to walk at one stage, she has shone on the world stage

University officials said she was a natural choice and wanted to recognise Ms Al Hosani’s work to raise the profile of women in sports and change the perception of people with disabilities.

She won a gold and two silver medals at the Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi in March this year and was among 300 athletes with intellectual disabilities who represented the UAE.

The distinction is significant for the athlete, who has always been determined to break down stereotypes against people with intellectual disabilities.

“From a young age I wanted to achieve my dream but I was concerned that my epilepsy would hold me back,” said Ms Al Hosani, 30.

“I am determined to progress more and more each day.”

Ms Al Hosani has never let epilepsy get in the way of success. She has had mild seizures on the track and got back to training as soon as she recovered.

Her disability came to a head in grade 6, when she struggled to walk and was forced to stay home for two years due to recurring health issues.

Always active, she resumed playing basketball and running. With her mother’s encouragement, she joined the Special Olympics team and has never looked back.

Saturday was the first time Middlesex University Dubai recognised the achievements of an athlete in the region. The honorary doctorate has been awarded to top businessmen and ministers over the past decade.

“Hamda is an inspiration for everyone because of the great heights she has reached and how she has preserved against all odds,” said Cedwyn Fernandes, vice chancellor of the university.

“Hamda’s story is moving because from not even being able to walk at one stage, she has shone on the world stage.

“The message to our students is whatever the challenge, your future is in your hands and you can make it out to be what you want it to be.”

The university said Ms Al Hosani's achievements caught their attention following the coverage of the Special Olympics in The National.

“The Special Olympics has made a massive difference in terms of awareness because people understand the need to include everyone as part of society,” Mr Fernandes said.

“There is a realisation that we are not doing a favour when we get people of determination to work or to a university but that they belong.”

The UAE Special Olympics team said hosting the World Games in Abu Dhabi brought into focus the global mission to promote social change for people with intellectual disabilities using the power of sport.

“We are really proud for Hamda,” said Talal Al Hashemi, national director of Special Olympics UAE.

“This degree shows that the movement will keep growing. It’s a very important moment for us and shows that being unified is part of our culture and community.”

Ms Al Hosani gave a short speech at the ceremony, where she was cheered on by her family and team members who have supported her.

The honorary doctorate was previously been awarded to Sultan bin Sulayem, DP World chairman, Tim Clark, Emirates airline president and Yusuff Ali, chairman of the Lulu Group.

The%20new%20Turing%20Test
%3Cp%3EThe%20Coffee%20Test%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cem%3EA%20machine%20is%20required%20to%20enter%20an%20average%20American%20home%20and%20figure%20out%20how%20to%20make%20coffee%3A%20find%20the%20coffee%20machine%2C%20find%20the%20coffee%2C%20add%20water%2C%20find%20a%20mug%20and%20brew%20the%20coffee%20by%20pushing%20the%20proper%20buttons.%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EProposed%20by%20Steve%20Wozniak%2C%20Apple%20co-founder%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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Results

5pm: Wadi Nagab – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,200m; Winner: Al Falaq, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ahmed Al Shemaili (trainer)

5.30pm: Wadi Sidr – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: AF Majalis, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

6pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: AF Fakhama, Fernando Jara, Mohamed Daggash

6.30pm: Wadi Shees – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Mutaqadim, Antonio Fresu, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami

7pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-1 – Listed (PA) Dh230,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Bahar Muscat, Antonio Fresu, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami

7.30pm: Wadi Tayyibah – Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Poster Paint, Patrick Cosgrave, Bhupat Seemar

PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES

Saturday (UAE kick-off times)

Watford v Leicester City (3.30pm)

Brighton v Arsenal (6pm)

West Ham v Wolves (8.30pm)

Bournemouth v Crystal Palace (10.45pm)

Sunday

Newcastle United v Sheffield United (5pm)

Aston Villa v Chelsea (7.15pm)

Everton v Liverpool (10pm)

Monday

Manchester City v Burnley (11pm)

'Nope'
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Jordan%20Peele%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Daniel%20Kaluuya%2C%20Keke%20Palmer%2C%20Brandon%20Perea%2C%20Steven%20Yeun%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
LILO & STITCH

Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders

Director: Dean Fleischer Camp

Rating: 4.5/5

War

Director: Siddharth Anand

Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff, Ashutosh Rana, Vaani Kapoor

Rating: Two out of five stars 

Getting there
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Tbilisi from Dh1,025 return including taxes

SPECS

Mini John Cooper Works Clubman and Mini John Cooper Works Countryman

Engine: two-litre 4-cylinder turbo

Transmission: nine-speed automatic

Power: 306hp

Torque: 450Nm

Price: JCW Clubman, Dh220,500; JCW Countryman, Dh225,500

The%20Last%20White%20Man
%3Cp%3EAuthor%3A%20Mohsin%20Hamid%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E192%20pages%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EPublished%20by%3A%20Hamish%20Hamilton%20(UK)%2C%20Riverhead%20Books%20(US)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERelease%20date%3A%20out%20now%20in%20the%20US%2C%20August%2011%20(UK)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:

- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools

- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say

- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance

- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs

- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills

- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month

- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues

What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
 
  • Grade 9 = above an A*
  • Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
  • Grade 7 = grade A
  • Grade 6 = just above a grade B
  • Grade 5 = between grades B and C
  • Grade 4 = grade C
  • Grade 3 = between grades D and E
  • Grade 2 = between grades E and F
  • Grade 1 = between grades F and G
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Army of the Dead

Director: Zack Snyder

Stars: Dave Bautista, Ella Purnell, Omari Hardwick, Ana de la Reguera

Three stars

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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The Comeback: Elvis And The Story Of The 68 Special
Simon Goddard
Omnibus  Press

THE%20SPECS
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COMPANY%20PROFILE%3A
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Six large-scale objects on show
  • Concrete wall and windows from the now demolished Robin Hood Gardens housing estate in Poplar
  • The 17th Century Agra Colonnade, from the bathhouse of the fort of Agra in India
  • A stagecloth for The Ballet Russes that is 10m high – the largest Picasso in the world
  • Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1930s Kaufmann Office
  • A full-scale Frankfurt Kitchen designed by Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky, which transformed kitchen design in the 20th century
  • Torrijos Palace dome
Specs

Engine: 51.5kW electric motor

Range: 400km

Power: 134bhp

Torque: 175Nm

Price: From Dh98,800

Available: Now

While you're here
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How to improve Arabic reading in early years

One 45-minute class per week in Standard Arabic is not sufficient

The goal should be for grade 1 and 2 students to become fluent readers

Subjects like technology, social studies, science can be taught in later grades

Grade 1 curricula should include oral instruction in Standard Arabic

First graders must regularly practice individual letters and combinations

Time should be slotted in class to read longer passages in early grades

Improve the appearance of textbooks

Revision of curriculum should be undertaken as per research findings

Conjugations of most common verb forms should be taught

Systematic learning of Standard Arabic grammar

Empires%20of%20the%20Steppes%3A%20A%20History%20of%20the%20Nomadic%20Tribes%20Who%20Shaped%20Civilization
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAuthor%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKenneth%20W%20Harl%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EPublisher%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHanover%20Square%20Press%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EPages%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E576%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg

Barcelona v Liverpool, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE).

Second leg

Liverpool v Barcelona, Tuesday, May 7, 11pm

Games on BeIN Sports

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