In regard to your leader article Universities will benefit from greater scrutiny (January 13), I would like to add my voice to those who applaud the government's actions in reviewing the quality of the education available in Dubai's educational free zones. Many of my fellow teachers and lecturers believe that some of the universities that operate from this area are little more than "diploma factories", offering substandard education for an expensive price. This cannot be good for the country and the reputation of its educational institutions.
According to my information, many of the teaching staff working in several of the colleges there are either underqualified or entirely lacking in experience - in some cases both. They are certainly paid much less than the well-qualified and experienced colleagues of mine here in Abu Dhabi, and the continued existence of such colleges serves to both undermine the value placed on professional teachers and diminish their living standards. It's time to close down these "institutions", and insist on rigorous standards at all educational institutes across the whole UAE. Jeff Bragg, Abu Dhabi Men's College, Abu Dhabi
The article Dubai may revoke university licences (January 12) is a clear vindication of my fears expressed about a year ago regarding branch campuses. I questioned the motivations for the surge of these institutions. I hope the University Quality Assurance board will extend their activities beyond Dubai in order to ensure the provision of quality education across the country. This is certainly one of the main reasons why employers are wary of degrees earned in the UAE and why some universities in other countries have reservations in taking on UAE graduates as potential postgraduate candidates. Nnamdi Madichie, University of Sharjah, Sharjah
Your editorial Racism in Australia cannot be ignored (January 11) made several notable efforts to inject balance to a notoriously sensitive subject. It was disappointing, however, to read your claim that Australian authorities are "whitewashing a systemic problem in society". This is simply not the case. Australia as a nation is overwhelmingly an open, tolerant, multicultural and welcoming society. To hold up isolated events and one Facebook reference as being indicative of a national culture of racism is unfair.
I would also point out that recent repulsive acts of violence are being investigated by law enforcement authorities and it is presumptuous for anyone to conclude that they must be acts of inherent racism. Australia has no tolerance for racism in any form. The Australian government makes every effort to make sure that people who come to our country, whether they come as new migrants, as students or as visitors are made welcome. I suggest that the 30,000 Emirati tourists who visit Australia each year can attest to this fact. Doug Trappett, Australian Ambassador, Abu Dhabi
I disagree with the letter from SA in Dubai, Give shisha cafes a break (January 13). I think it is very short-sighted to place the convenience of people ahead of their health. Yes, people should have the right to choose whether they want to smoke or not, but it is not, and never should be, their right to also choose where they want to engage in the use of their legal drug of choice. It is commendable that the government has decided to put health first ahead of business.
What message are we sending to the younger generation when they see people smoking on almost every street corner and on floors in their apartment buildings? The UAE population has enough health issues to deal with to seriously consider allowing shisha cafes to continue to be located near us. So please think of our health and the health of our children before you worry about where people will be able to enjoy their very unhealthy habit. The further away the better I say. Gregory P Mitcham, Abu Dhabi
The new anti-tobacco law needs teeth if it is to be taken seriously. I think the rules should be made absolutely clear and in particular specify what locations are acceptable for shisha premises. Once that's clear, then the shisha cafes should be given no more than six months to comply. Anita C, Abu Dhabi
I refer to A thousand more silver taxis on streets of the capital (January 11). This means more traffic jams. I think investing in shaded sidewalks and proper pedestrian routes throughout the city would be a better course of action. Abu Dhabi should look to countries like Norway and Sweden as an example of what to work towards. BuAhmed Al Hashimi, Abu Dhabi
