Over the past year, students across the world have had to overcome many challenges. Having adapted to home learning since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, there is one more hurdle for them to overcome.
Referring to the problem of college students earning grades that are higher than the norm in previous years, so-called "grade inflation" has seen 45 per cent of British A-Level students achieve A and A-plus grades. To some extent grade inflation is a long-standing trend and may represent all-round educational improvements. In the last two years however, it has become very acute, and is partly attributable to the different methods of assessment put in place during the pandemic.
As a result, students and universities have been presented with a unique challenge.
While some students have excelled and secured the requisite grades to take a place at their university of their choice, there will be those who have not achieved the results they were hoping for and this can be very tough on those students. Uncertain about the way forward with the grades they have in hand, they now need expert guidance on the options open to them.
The key message to students who are weighing their options during this stressful period, however, is to not panic. While over-subscribed universities present a challenge to students who will not be admitted to them, there are also opportunities to be seized as a result.
Rooted in these new circumstances, one key question has arisen: will potential students in Europe, the US, China and India – weary of difficult school or college experiences over the past 18 months – decide this is the time to seek higher education in countries such as the UAE?
The way in which the UAE has handled the pandemic will be a reassurance for many students looking to enrol for a university experience perhaps outside their home countries.
Another key question is, should higher education institutions encourage their current students to make the most of the recent opening-up of international travel? Yes, absolutely.
An international education experience is an invaluable experience for students and in many ways prepares young people for the future.
Universities around the world will do well to explore ways to encourage students to apply to their campuses and facilitate these life experiences. One initiative could be adding new study routes to exchange programmes between global campuses that already exist.
An international education experience is an invaluable experience for students in many ways
These kinds of moves could help enrich students' university experience across campuses globally and boost connectivity and collaboration between universities. One outcome of such enhanced networks between campuses in different countries could be the increased mobility for students – something that is likely to become more important following this year’s phenomenon of grade inflation.
Universities ranked among the world’s top 100 have a responsibility to support and guide students, in the UAE and beyond, regardless of whether they eventually study in these schools.
This is the time when institutions, acting in the best interests of aspiring students, will be mobilising their student recruitment teams to answer questions and support young people on their journey to higher education this September.
Top universities will provide impartial advice to students to help them find the college that best fits them, be it in the UK, UAE, or elsewhere in the world.
Students can be counselled that there are many opportunities in global campuses that might not be available to them in their home countries, but which offer the same study programmes and at least the same quality of teaching and living experience, if not vastly better ones. We are increasingly seeing international universities offering at least the same kind of curriculum students would expect in their home countries.
Every institution will naturally want to encourage students to join them, but these can be difficult and confusing times for students who are trying to make sense of a pandemic-affected educational landscape, while attempting to carve a path for their future. It has never been so important therefore, for universities to offer support – whether in the form of scholarships, informed, impartial guidance, or simply a friendly conversation – to encourage and nurture those considering what can be an enforced change in their higher education plans.
As parts of the world begin to emerge from the pandemic, schools ought to advise and support students across the UAE and beyond; helping them find the university that best suits them as they embark on the academic adventure of their lifetime.
Points to remember
- Debate the issue, don't attack the person
- Build the relationship and dialogue by seeking to find common ground
- Express passion for the issue but be aware of when you're losing control or when there's anger. If there is, pause and take some time out.
- Listen actively without interrupting
- Avoid assumptions, seek understanding, ask questions
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
The specs
Engine: 8.0-litre, quad-turbo 16-cylinder
Transmission: 7-speed auto
0-100kmh 2.3 seconds
0-200kmh 5.5 seconds
0-300kmh 11.6 seconds
Power: 1500hp
Torque: 1600Nm
Price: Dh13,400,000
On sale: now
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
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Need to know
The flights: Flydubai flies from Dubai to Kilimanjaro airport via Dar es Salaam from Dh1,619 return including taxes. The trip takes 8 hours.
The trek: Make sure that whatever tour company you select to climb Kilimanjaro, that it is a reputable one. The way to climb successfully would be with experienced guides and porters, from a company committed to quality, safety and an ethical approach to the mountain and its staff. Sonia Nazareth booked a VIP package through Safari Africa. The tour works out to $4,775 (Dh17,538) per person, based on a 4-person booking scheme, for 9 nights on the mountain (including one night before and after the trek at Arusha). The price includes all meals, a head guide, an assistant guide for every 2 trekkers, porters to carry the luggage, a cook and kitchen staff, a dining and mess tent, a sleeping tent set up for 2 persons, a chemical toilet and park entrance fees. The tiny ration of heated water provided for our bath in our makeshift private bathroom stall was the greatest luxury. A standard package, also based on a 4-person booking, works out to $3,050 (Dh11,202) per person.
When to go: You can climb Kili at any time of year, but the best months to ascend are January-February and September-October. Also good are July and August, if you’re tolerant of the colder weather that winter brings.
Do not underestimate the importance of kit. Even if you’re travelling at a relatively pleasant time, be geared up for the cold and the rain.
The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
Mazen Abukhater, principal and actuary at global consultancy Mercer, Middle East, says the company’s Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index - which benchmarks 34 pension schemes across the globe to assess their adequacy, sustainability and integrity - included Saudi Arabia for the first time this year to offer a glimpse into the region.
The index highlighted fundamental issues for all 34 countries, such as a rapid ageing population and a low growth / low interest environment putting pressure on expected returns. It also highlighted the increasing popularity around the world of defined contribution schemes.
“Average life expectancy has been increasing by about three years every 10 years. Someone born in 1947 is expected to live until 85 whereas someone born in 2007 is expected to live to 103,” Mr Abukhater told the Mena Pensions Conference.
“Are our systems equipped to handle these kind of life expectancies in the future? If so many people retire at 60, they are going to be in retirement for 43 years – so we need to adapt our retirement age to our changing life expectancy.”
Saudi Arabia came in the middle of Mercer’s ranking with a score of 58.9. The report said the country's index could be raised by improving the minimum level of support for the poorest aged individuals and increasing the labour force participation rate at older ages as life expectancies rise.
Mr Abukhater said the challenges of an ageing population, increased life expectancy and some individuals relying solely on their government for financial support in their retirement years will put the system under strain.
“To relieve that pressure, governments need to consider whether it is time to switch to a defined contribution scheme so that individuals can supplement their own future with the help of government support,” he said.
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
The five pillars of Islam
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
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
EA Sports FC 26
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3/5
WHEN TO GO:
September to November or March to May; this is when visitors are most likely to see what they’ve come for.
WHERE TO STAY:
Meghauli Serai, A Taj Safari - Chitwan National Park resort (tajhotels.com) is a one-hour drive from Bharatpur Airport with stays costing from Dh1,396 per night, including taxes and breakfast. Return airport transfers cost from Dh661.
HOW TO GET THERE:
Etihad Airways regularly flies from Abu Dhabi to Kathmandu from around Dh1,500 per person return, including taxes. Buddha Air (buddhaair.com) and Yeti Airlines (yetiairlines.com) fly from Kathmandu to Bharatpur several times a day from about Dh660 return and the flight takes just 20 minutes. Driving is possible but the roads are hilly which means it will take you five or six hours to travel 148 kilometres.
Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shantanu Maheshwari, Jimmy Shergill, Saiee Manjrekar
Director: Neeraj Pandey
Rating: 2.5/5
