I refer to the article Innovation to be part of curriculum (November 24). This would only work in practice if administrators centrally were not in charge of designing the curriculum. After all, if they are not in the classroom, they are unaware of the students' current capabilities nor are they aware of the ever-changing technological advances or the 21st-century skills students need to be equipped with for jobs that may not exist today, but will by the time these students graduate.
The UAE is one of the largest consumers in mobile technology. In my opinion, this should be turned around so that it is creating, designing and developing future apps/ programs to meet this nation’s future needs.
Coding must be introduced in higher education. However, for all of this to be achieved successfully, many educators and students alike need to develop a different mindset. Without this, innovative ideas may well be announced, but they are unlikely to be followed through as many students do not seem to comprehend that the learning process itself is just as important if not more so than the final goal.
So unless educators with a fixed mindset can evolve into a more expansive one, I fear it will not be possible to nurture the same within their students, which ultimately will impede both innovation and entrepreneurship in future generations.
Name withheld by request
Change habits, not speed limit
I refer to the article Anti-speed campaign to cut Dubai road deaths (November 23). They reduced speed on the Dubai-Al Ain road, but it seems it just made it worse. Everyday I hear about an accident.
Ahmed Albaidhani, Dubai
Many people are killed and injured not because of speed but because of bad driving.
Giles Heaton, Dubai
We are bullied even if we obey the rules. Arrest speeders and make them realise that speeding and bullying other drivers is not tolerated.
Carla Botha, Abu Dhabi
It is time to recognise that “hours of service” among taxi drivers are an important contributing element and asking anyone to be on the road 12 hours a day, seven days a week, is a risk to everyone. Driver fatigue and micro-sleeps are a root unreported factor in many of these accidents.
Robert M, Dubai
No need to panic here
Regarding the news report US citizens in UAE told to 'exercise caution' after recent terror attacks (November 24), why create panic where there is none? If there is one place in the world that is safe, it's the UAE. So I request Americans to stop spreading panic.
Luca Cima, Abu Dhabi
Isn’t this a bit awkward? What about other people? There are people from many other countries living here and it would be an appeal to all of them to be alert.
Hasan Kato, Dubai
I am sure the US Embassy isn’t the only one to have issued an alert this month.
Thomas Mnt, Dubai
We all feel safe in the UAE and yet we should all exercise caution. That doesn’t mean it isn’t the US Embassy’s job to warn US citizens. Certain things are out of the Government’s control and we should all take precaution. Meanwhile, other embassies have issued similar warnings.
I don’t understand why your newspaper only reported the US Embassy’s advisory. What I know is that it isn’t only Americans’ problem.
Patricia Cooksey, Abu Dhabi
Hats off to the US Embassy. They are simply taking care of their citizens.
Daisy Tito, Abu Dhabi
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Donating your hair
• Your hair should be least 30 cms long, as some of the hair is lost during manufacturing of the wigs.
• Clean, dry hair in good condition (no split ends) from any gender, and of any natural colour, is required.
• Straight, wavy, curly, permed or chemically straightened is permitted.
• Dyed hair must be of a natural colour
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The specs: 2018 Mazda CX-5
Price, base / as tested: Dh89,000 / Dh130,000
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder
Power: 188hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 251Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.1L / 100km
The Disaster Artist
Director: James Franco
Starring: James Franco, Dave Franco, Seth Rogan
Four stars
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The five pillars of Islam
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Ship name: MSC Bellissima
Ship class: Meraviglia Class
Delivery date: February 27, 2019
Gross tonnage: 171,598 GT
Passenger capacity: 5,686
Crew members: 1,536
Number of cabins: 2,217
Length: 315.3 metres
Maximum speed: 22.7 knots (42kph)
if you go
The flights
Flydubai offers three daily direct flights to Sarajevo and, from June, a daily flight from Thessaloniki from Dubai. A return flight costs from Dhs1,905 including taxes.
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The Travel Scientists are the organisers of the Balkan Ride and several other rallies around the world. The 2018 running of this particular adventure will take place from August 3-11, once again starting in Sarajevo and ending a week later in Thessaloniki. If you’re driving your own vehicle, then entry start from €880 (Dhs 3,900) per person including all accommodation along the route. Contact the Travel Scientists if you wish to hire one of their vehicles.
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6pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 – Group 1 (PA) $55,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner: Rajeh, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Musabah Al Muhairi (trainer)
6.35pm: Oud Metha Stakes – Rated Conditions (TB) $60,000 (D) 1,200m
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7.10pm: Jumeirah Classic – Listed (TB) $150,000 (Turf) 1,600m
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7.45pm: Firebreak Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,600m
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8.20pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 – Group 2 (TB) $350,000 (D) 1,900m
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8.55pm: Al Bastakiya Trial – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (D) 1,900m
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9.30pm: Balanchine – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,800m
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Name: Brendalle Belaza
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Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
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With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
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