An Emirati teacher in Fujairah has been nominated for a global award with a $1 million prize thanks to her use of technology in the classroom.
Moza Al Hafiti, who teaches Islamic studies at Zayed Education Complex in Dibba, Fujairah, was included in the top 50 shortlist for the Gems Education Global Teacher Prize, organised in collaboration with Unesco.
Ms Al Hafiti has always been passionate about learning. “You are raising generations. It is the greatest contribution you can make to your country and humanity,” the UAE University graduate and Cycle One teacher said.
Using technology to encourage children to learn is something that Ms Al Hafiti is passionate about. “If lessons are more interactive and students are encouraged to be part of the lesson plan and teaching, they will be more engaged and interested in learning,” she said.
Among her innovations is a prayer mat that has prayer steps narrated by pupils. She also introduced a Young Teacher programme, encouraging students to teach lessons and help their peers, rather than the traditional route of sitting in class and listening to a teacher explaining everything. She has also helped students design and present workshops.
During the Covid-19 pandemic she also developed what she describes as an online library, recording all her lessons and uploading them online for students to access.
Ms Al Hafiti was selected from more than 5,000 nominations and applications from 89 countries. The Global Teacher Prize was launched in 2014 to highlight the important role teachers play in society.
“I feel proud to be able to exchange experiences and ideas with teachers from all over the world," she said. “This award is not just an honour but rather an incentive for further work and continuous development so that I can provide the best for our students."
Ms Al Hafiti has already earned numerous accolades, including the Hamdan bin Rashid Award for Distinguished Teacher, the Sharjah Award for Distinguished Teacher and the Khalifa Educational Award. If she wins the $1 million prize, she hopes to continue her master's degree and doctorate, while coming up with more ideas for the classroom.
“The Global Teacher Prize was created to spotlight the critical role of education in addressing the major challenges of our time – from combating climate change to reducing inequality and navigating technological change," said Sunny Varkey, founder of the Global Teacher Prize and chairman of the Varkey Foundation, the non-profit arm of Gems Education.
The shortlist of 50 will now be whittled down to a final shortlist of 10, which will be announced later this month. The overall winner will be announced at the World Governments Summit in Dubai from February 11 to 13.
“In a time of global teacher shortages, challenging conditions, and technological advances, recognising and investing in teachers is essential to building a just, inclusive, and sustainable future," said Stefania Giannini, Unesco assistant director-general for education. “Teachers matter as they shape not only the next generation but the future of our societies.”
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WORLD CUP SQUAD
Dimuth Karunaratne (Captain), Angelo Mathews, Avishka Fernando, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Isuru Udana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Jeevan Mendis, Milinda Siriwardana, Lasith Malinga, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep
RESULT
Kolkata Knight Riders 169-7 (20 ovs)
Rajasthan Royals 144-4 (20 ovs)
Kolkata win by 25 runs
Next match
Sunrisers Hyderabad v Kolkata Knight Riders, Friday, 5.30pm
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Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
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Racecard
5pm: Al Maha Stables – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m
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A cheaper choice
Vanuatu: $130,000
Why on earth pick Vanuatu? Easy. The South Pacific country has no income tax, wealth tax, capital gains or inheritance tax. And in 2015, when it was hit by Cyclone Pam, it signed an agreement with the EU that gave it some serious passport power.
Cost: A minimum investment of $130,000 for a family of up to four, plus $25,000 in fees.
Criteria: Applicants must have a minimum net worth of $250,000. The process take six to eight weeks, after which the investor must travel to Vanuatu or Hong Kong to take the oath of allegiance. Citizenship and passport are normally provided on the same day.
Benefits: No tax, no restrictions on dual citizenship, no requirement to visit or reside to retain a passport. Visa-free access to 129 countries.
RESULT
Manchester City 1 Sheffield United 0
Man City: Jesus (9')
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Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
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If you go
The flights
Return flights from Dubai to Santiago, via Sao Paolo cost from Dh5,295 with Emirates.
The trip
A five-day trip (not including two days of flight travel) was split between Santiago and in Puerto Varas, with more time spent in the later where excursions were organised by TurisTour.
When to go
The summer months, from December to February are best though there is beauty in each season
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
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Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
The specs: 2018 Maserati Ghibli
Price, base / as tested: Dh269,000 / Dh369,000
Engine: 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
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Torque: 500Nm @ 4,500rpm
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Day 5, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day When Dilruwan Perera dismissed Yasir Shah to end Pakistan’s limp resistance, the Sri Lankans charged around the field with the fevered delirium of a side not used to winning. Trouble was, they had not. The delivery was deemed a no ball. Sri Lanka had a nervy wait, but it was merely a stay of execution for the beleaguered hosts.
Stat of the day – 5 Pakistan have lost all 10 wickets on the fifth day of a Test five times since the start of 2016. It is an alarming departure for a side who had apparently erased regular collapses from their resume. “The only thing I can say, it’s not a mitigating excuse at all, but that’s a young batting line up, obviously trying to find their way,” said Mickey Arthur, Pakistan’s coach.
The verdict Test matches in the UAE are known for speeding up on the last two days, but this was extreme. The first two innings of this Test took 11 sessions to complete. The remaining two were done in less than four. The nature of Pakistan’s capitulation at the end showed just how difficult the transition is going to be in the post Misbah-ul-Haq era.
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Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
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Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
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THE SPECS
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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Mina Al Oraibi: Air strike casts a long shadow over the decade ahead
Jack Moore: Why the assassination is such a monumental gamble
Damien McElroy: A CEO tasked with spreading Iran's influence
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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
Punchy appearance
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Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
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Why your domicile status is important
Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.
Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born.
UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.
A UK-domiciled person, however, is liable for UK tax on their worldwide income and gains when they are resident in the UK.
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- Alistair Burt: Despite Brexit, Britain can remain a world power
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Plan to boost public schools
A major shake-up of government-run schools was rolled out across the country in 2017. Known as the Emirati School Model, it placed more emphasis on maths and science while also adding practical skills to the curriculum.
It was accompanied by the promise of a Dh5 billion investment, over six years, to pay for state-of-the-art infrastructure improvements.
Aspects of the school model will be extended to international private schools, the education minister has previously suggested.
Recent developments have also included the introduction of moral education - which public and private schools both must teach - along with reform of the exams system and tougher teacher licensing requirements.
