As thousands of final-year pupils in the UAE submit their applications to local universities, we take a look at some of the best higher education options in the Emirates and what they have to offer
Where is it from?
Noida (or New Okhla Industrial Development Authority), a planned city in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Noida has been described as India’s greenest city.
When was it founded?
2003 (parent university); 2011 (Dubai campus)
What is it?
Amity University Dubai describes itself as the largest multidisciplinary university in the UAE. The parent institution’s original campus is in Noida, but there are now nearly a dozen campuses in India, as well as campuses in London and Singapore. In India, Amity also operates preschools and schools, and internationally it has schools, too, including one in Abu Dhabi.
Where is it based?
Dubai International Academic City
How has it handled the Covid-19 pandemic?
“Our 700,000 square foot campus is equipped with the facilities and space to accommodate students and staff, while adhering to the social distancing norms,” the university said in a statement.
“The university campus reopened on January 10, and to provide a safe, healthy and interactive environment for students, we have initiated several easy-to-follow regulations that students will be required to adhere to. We are working on alternate academic schedules and class structures for every programme, to take into account the increase in Covid-19 cases.
“Flipped classes and digital learning will also continue to accommodate students with any health concerns. We are determined to ensure that every student’s university experience includes social interactions, events and practical course work in a safe and secure environment. We will overcome this together.”
What are examples of the fees?
Dh30,000 — foundation programme (one year)
Dh30,000 — English enhancement programme (one year)
Dh126,000 — bachelor of arts in applied psychology (three years)
Dh200,000 — bachelor of technology in electronics and electrical engineering (four years)
Dh90,000 — master of business administration (two years)
Dh17,000 — postgraduate diploma in cyber security (one year)
Dh150,000 to Dh300,000 — doctor of philosophy in engineering (three to five years)
What subjects does it teach?
Bachelor’s degrees include animation, applied psychology, architecture, business administration (sub-disciplines), commerce, computer science and engineering, economics, engineering (sub-disciplines), fashion design, film and television production, forensic science, hotel management, information technology, interior design, journalism and mass communication, law, mechatronics, nanotechnology, solar and alternate energy, and tourism administration.
Master’s degrees include applied psychology, business administration, forensic science and interior design.
Doctoral degrees include engineering, forensic sciences and management.
What does it not teach?
Agriculture, anthropology, archaeology, biochemistry, criminology, dentistry, geology, history, mathematics, medicine, modern languages, music, philosophy, politics, sociology, sports science and veterinary medicine.
Where is it ranked globally?
1001st+ — QS World University Rankings (parent university)
1001st+ — Times Higher Education World University Rankings (parent university)
Who goes there?
There are more than 2,500 students, with the top three nationalities being Indian, Emirati and Chinese.
Who has gone to the parent university?
- Rahul Ahuja, a food blogger and entrepreneur who took bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work.
- Kratika Sengar, an Indian actress who graduated in mass communication and has starred in many Hindi-language television programmes.
- Kulpreet Yadav, an Indian novelist who studied mass communication and journalism. He was an officer in the Indian Navy and has also acted and written scripts.
A word from Dr Vajahat Hussain, chief executive of Amity Education Group ME:
At Amity University Dubai, our goal is to bring about positive change, empower communities and make the world a better place.
Through immersive real-world projects, informative workshops, networking events and placement activities, students of Amity Dubai reach their complete learning potential during the course of their programme.
Whether it is through mock trials in a moot court, creating a collection for a fashion show, building a solar-powered house, developing a start-up business idea or working on a satellite ground station, new programmes and projects are constantly introduced to ensure that students are ready to tackle the world.
Our solar-powered 700,000 square foot university campus is designed to inspire students to become innovators. From innovative programmes such as mechatronics, data science, machine learning, nanotechnology, aerospace engineering, animation and forensic science to traditional courses like business, law, fashion design, journalism and mass communication, mechanical engineering and applied psychology — the university’s 47 full-time and part-time programmes focus on developing professional skills, practical understanding and theoretical knowledge in a variety of areas.
An interactive, on-campus learning experience plays a large role in ensuring that students feel a sense of normality in 2022, preparing students for the future of industries, teaching them to adapt to new environments and evolving global practices.
Getting there
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly to Johannesburg or Cape Town daily. Flights cost from about Dh3,325, with a flying time of 8hours and 15 minutes. From there, fly South African Airlines or Air Namibia to Namibia’s Windhoek Hosea Kutako International Airport, for about Dh850. Flying time is 2 hours.
The stay
Wilderness Little Kulala offers stays from £460 (Dh2,135) per person, per night. It is one of seven Wilderness Safari lodges in Namibia; www.wilderness-safaris.com.
Skeleton Coast Safaris’ four-day adventure involves joining a very small group in a private plane, flying to some of the remotest areas in the world, with each night spent at a different camp. It costs from US$8,335.30 (Dh30,611); www.skeletoncoastsafaris.com
The Lowdown
Us
Director: Jordan Peele
Starring: Lupita Nyong'o, Winston Duke, Shahadi Wright Joseqph, Evan Alex and Elisabeth Moss
Rating: 4/5
From Conquest to Deportation
Jeronim Perovic, Hurst
The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
RESULTS
2pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (Dirt) 1,000m
Winner: AF Mozhell, Saif Al Balushi (jockey), Khalifa Al Neyadi (trainer)
2.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Majdi, Szczepan Mazur, Abdallah Al Hammadi.
3pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m
Winner: AF Athabeh, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel.
3.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m
Winner: AF Eshaar, Bernardo Pinheiro, Khalifa Al Neyadi
4pm: Gulf Cup presented by Longines Prestige (PA) Dh150,000 (D) 1,700m
Winner: Al Roba’a Al Khali, Al Moatasem Al Balushi, Younis Al Kalbani
4.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh40,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Apolo Kid, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muahiri
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
Disability on screen
Empire — neuromuscular disease myasthenia gravis; bipolar disorder; post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Rosewood and Transparent — heart issues
24: Legacy — PTSD;
Superstore and NCIS: New Orleans — wheelchair-bound
Taken and This Is Us — cancer
Trial & Error — cognitive disorder prosopagnosia (facial blindness and dyslexia)
Grey’s Anatomy — prosthetic leg
Scorpion — obsessive compulsive disorder and anxiety
Switched at Birth — deafness
One Mississippi, Wentworth and Transparent — double mastectomy
Dragons — double amputee
Sri Lanka-India Test series schedule
- 1st Test India won by 304 runs at Galle
- 2nd Test India won by innings and 53 runs at Colombo
- 3rd Test August 12-16 at Pallekele
Result
UAE (S. Tagliabue 90 1') 1-2 Uzbekistan (Shokhruz Norkhonov 48', 86')
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
MATCH INFO
Tottenham Hotspur 3 (Son 1', Kane 8' & 16') West Ham United 3 (Balbuena 82', Sanchez og 85', Lanzini 90' 4)
Man of the match Harry Kane
'The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey'
Rating: 3/5
Directors: Ramin Bahrani, Debbie Allen, Hanelle Culpepper, Guillermo Navarro
Writers: Walter Mosley
Stars: Samuel L Jackson, Dominique Fishback, Walton Goggins
Indoor Cricket World Cup
Venue Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23
UAE squad Saqib Nazir (captain), Aaqib Malik, Fahad Al Hashmi, Isuru Umesh, Nadir Hussain, Sachin Talwar, Nashwan Nasir, Prashath Kumara, Ramveer Rai, Sameer Nayyak, Umar Shah, Vikrant Shetty
UAE v Zimbabwe A, 50 over series
Fixtures
Thursday, Nov 9 - 9.30am, ICC Academy, Dubai
Saturday, Nov 11 – 9.30am, ICC Academy, Dubai
Monday, Nov 13 – 2pm, Dubai International Stadium
Thursday, Nov 16 – 2pm, ICC Academy, Dubai
Saturday, Nov 18 – 9.30am, ICC Academy, Dubai
Honeymoonish
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Match info
Uefa Champions League Group H
Juventus v Valencia, Tuesday, midnight (UAE)
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'Ghostbusters: From Beyond'
Director: Jason Reitman
Starring: Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace
Rating: 2/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
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The specs: 2018 BMW X2 and X3
Price, as tested: Dh255,150 (X2); Dh383,250 (X3)
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder (X2); 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline six-cylinder (X3)
Power 192hp @ 5,000rpm (X2); 355hp @ 5,500rpm (X3)
Torque: 280Nm @ 1,350rpm (X2); 500Nm @ 1,520rpm (X3)
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic (X2); Eight-speed automatic (X3)
Fuel consumption, combined: 5.7L / 100km (X2); 8.3L / 100km (X3)
PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
Tuesday (UAE kick-off times)
Leicester City v Brighton (9pm)
Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United (11.15pm)
Wednesday
Manchester United v Sheffield United (9pm)
Newcastle United v Aston Villa (9pm)
Norwich City v Everton (9pm)
Wolves v Bournemouth (9pm)
Liverpool v Crystal Palace (11.15pm)
Thursday
Burnley v Watford (9pm)
Southampton v Arsenal (9pm)
Chelsea v Manchester City (11.15pm)
The biog
Name: Greg Heinricks
From: Alberta, western Canada
Record fish: 56kg sailfish
Member of: International Game Fish Association
Company: Arabian Divers and Sportfishing Charters
