Following the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, schools in the UAE made an overnight shift to mandatory distance learning for the 2019-20 academic year. The extraordinary circumstances facing students, parents, teachers, schools and UAE regulators as the pandemic unfolds have been challenging and transformative for all involved.
The coming weeks and months will no doubt be an important test for the education "new normal". Thinking further ahead, however, there is also a unique opportunity for national regulators to accelerate progress towards a nimble and future-proofed education system. Here, I look back at the UAE's enforced period of distance learning and overview the key learnings and insights from best practices that will shape educational policy in the UAE for generations to come.
First, there should always be a Plan B. While the UAE has dealt admirably with the pandemic so far, it cannot be ruled out that a community lockdown of some shape or form may be required again, in the short, medium or longer term. A good example of preparation excellence is provided by Singapore, which put an emergency distance learning system in place following the Sars outbreak in 2005. This system ensures that teachers receive mandatory distance learning training on an annual basis, including live trial runs for teachers and students alike. By continuing to plan for the future, the UAE's education regulators can consider similar measures to ensure a seamless transition to distance learning, if and when the need arises.
It is important to emphasise the importance of technology in education. The UAE is blessed with the highest download speeds regionally, and continued investment in smart learning tools for all students is a win-win policy. Just as crucial is improving students’ tech-literacy, enhancing their future employability, and enabling schools to pivot to a distance education model, as and when needed. It is important to note that the Ministry of Education’s Smart Learning Programme had been in the works since 2015 and its technology partnerships with the likes of Microsoft facilitated the shift to distance learning.
Appropriate technology for all students is now critical – at all times. Also, as the trend continues, with more and more renowned universities adopting e-learning and investments reducing in infrastructure, the cost of education will substantially be reduced.
Like technology, teachers are also key to distance education. Distance learning supported by online tools does not replace teachers, who are the key to its success. However, online teaching methods require a unique set of soft and hard skills and a bank of suitable digital lesson materials. Open-source digital learning solutions and Learning Management Software should be adopted so that teachers can conduct teaching online. UAE policymakers might, therefore, consider how best to equip teachers with the technical knowledge to ensure that they can rise to the challenge of online learning, if called upon to do so. Given the increasing drive to make physical classrooms more tech-savvy, none of these skills would ever go to waste.
In times of adversity, we find that there is plenty of innovation. Despite the pandemic, the UAE kept calm and carried on, with the local community rallying to support students through their unprecedented "new normal". #PandemicCamp was established by two former students based in Dubai, offering free private tutoring in English, Maths and Hindi to students of CBSE schools. Separately, prominent charity Dubai Cares launched Education Uninterrupted, a nationwide fundraising campaign, which called for donations to support the purchase of computers, laptops and tablets for low-income families so that children could participate in distance education courses. UAE policymakers should consider ways to harness the grassroots volunteering innovation that flourished under lockdown, and ponder its wider potential to build social cohesion.
One must remember that education is a journey, not a destination. Having a sector-wide trial run of distance education, UAE policymakers are uniquely placed to survey the education community, log their feedback, and start a meaningful dialogue about future-proofed education models. Regulators should reflect on what can be done better, and opportunities for a more inclusive education framework. This would include catering to those suffering from long-term illness, people of determination who face particular learning challenges, students from remote areas and elite athletes whose training schedules limit full-time school attendance. The flexibility of a blended education model may well have long-term strategic advantages – and if there ever was a time explore them, it is now.
While there appears to be no debate that on-campus education is the optimal learning environment for most students, the pandemic has provided important insights for education policymakers. This disruption in the delivery of education is pushing legislators to figure out how to drive engagement at scale while ensuring inclusive e-learning solutions and tackling the digital divide.
The building blocks are in place, and with an innovative policy agenda, the sky is the limit.
Alison Eslick is a senior associate in Reed Smith’s Energy & Natural Resources Group in Dubai
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
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Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
GULF MEN'S LEAGUE
Pool A Dubai Hurricanes, Bahrain, Dubai Exiles, Dubai Tigers 2
Pool B Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Jebel Ali Dragons, Dubai Knights Eagles, Dubai Tigers
Opening fixtures
Thursday, December 5
6.40pm, Pitch 8, Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Dubai Knights Eagles
7pm, Pitch 2, Jebel Ali Dragons v Dubai Tigers
7pm, Pitch 4, Dubai Hurricanes v Dubai Exiles
7pm, Pitch 5, Bahrain v Dubai Eagles 2
Recent winners
2018 Dubai Hurricanes
2017 Dubai Exiles
2016 Abu Dhabi Harlequins
2015 Abu Dhabi Harlequins
2014 Abu Dhabi Harlequins
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
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
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UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Jiu-Jitsu World Tour Calendar 2018/19
July 29: OTA Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan
Sep 22-23: LA Convention Centre in Los Angeles, US
Nov 16-18: Carioca Arena Centre in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Feb 7-9: Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE
Mar 9-10: Copper Box Arena in London, UK
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Cyber crime - This includes fraud, impersonation, scams and deepfake technology, tactics that are increasingly targeting infrastructure and exploiting human vulnerabilities.
Cyber terrorism - Social media platforms are used to spread radical ideologies, misinformation and disinformation, often with the aim of disrupting critical infrastructure such as power grids.
Cyber warfare - Shaped by geopolitical tension, hostile actors seek to infiltrate and compromise national infrastructure, using one country’s systems as a springboard to launch attacks on others.
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6.30pm: Handicap (TB) $68,000 (Dirt) 1,200m
7.05pm: Meydan Cup – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (Turf) 2,810m
7.40pm: UAE 2000 Guineas – Group 3 (TB) $125,000 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm: Firebreak Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (D) 1,600m
9.50pm: Meydan Classic – Conditions (TB) $$50,000 (T) 1,400m
9.25pm: Dubai Sprint – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,200m
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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.
RESULTS
Light Flyweight (48kg): Alua Balkibekova (KAZ) beat Gulasal Sultonalieva (UZB) by points 4-1.
Flyweight (51kg): Nazym Kyzaibay (KAZ) beat Mary Kom (IND) 3-2.
Bantamweight (54kg): Dina Zholaman (KAZ) beat Sitora Shogdarova (UZB) 3-2.
Featherweight (57kg): Sitora Turdibekova (UZB) beat Vladislava Kukhta (KAZ) 5-0.
Lightweight (60kg): Rimma Volossenko (KAZ) beat Huswatun Hasanah (INA) KO round-1.
Light Welterweight (64kg): Milana Safronova (KAZ) beat Lalbuatsaihi (IND) 3-2.
Welterweight (69kg): Valentina Khalzova (KAZ) beat Navbakhor Khamidova (UZB) 5-0
Middleweight (75kg): Pooja Rani (IND) beat Mavluda Movlonova (UZB) 5-0.
Light Heavyweight (81kg): Farida Sholtay (KAZ) beat Ruzmetova Sokhiba (UZB) 5-0.
Heavyweight (81 kg): Lazzat Kungeibayeva (KAZ) beat Anupama (IND) 3-2.
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
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- 600-seat auditorium
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The Baghdad Clock
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2018 ICC World Twenty20 Asian Western Sub Regional Qualifier
Event info: The tournament in Kuwait is the first phase of the qualifying process for sides from Asia for the 2020 World T20 in Australia. The UAE must finish within the top three teams out of the six at the competition to advance to the Asia regional finals. Success at regional finals would mean progression to the World T20 Qualifier.
Teams: UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Maldives, Qatar
Friday fixtures: 9.30am (UAE time) - Kuwait v Maldives, Qatar v UAE; 3pm - Saudi Arabia v Bahrain
Oppenheimer
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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.
