The UAE's first German university will encourage students to escape the comforts of the classroom to "get their hands dirty" in preparation for the world of work.
The University of Europe for Applied Sciences – which has four campuses in Germany – will welcome its first intake of students at its Dubai home in January for an MBA programme.
The campus, based in the heart of the business centre at One Central, in Dubai World Trade Centre, is bright, open-planned and cozy, with a small library complete with an electric fireplace, capturing the boutique vibe the institution is aspiring for.
Its location in a bustling business environment is also in keeping with an industry-minded ethos, said Prof Maurits van Rooijen, president of the university.
“A lot of the branch campuses here are very much Anglo Saxon and we want to bring in high quality European education," Prof van Rooijen said.
"It's about getting students to understand that studying isn't just about reading a book, or sitting in a classroom listening to a professor, it's actually about getting your hands dirty and getting out there and learning by interacting with the real world.
Developing future workforce
“it's very much about being prepared for the changing world, not just by having the skills and the knowledge but also being mentally prepared for it ... knowing how to deal with complicated situations or what to do when things don't go to plan.
“The key defining feature of our type of German education is the fact that it's very much about engaging with companies.
"We also encourage students to go and do placements or projects with companies and that's part of our philosophy."
He said that the university's launch had been met with support from the business communities in Dubai, especially German companies, offering opportunities for students to gain real-world experience.
Affordable education plan
In an effort to make higher education accessible and affordable, fees at the Dubai branch and the campuses in Germany will be the same.
Students will pay €12,100 (Dh46,972) per year for bachelors programmes and between €10,938 (Dh42,442) and €13,000 (Dh50,443) per year for a master's programme. MBA students pay between €12,332 (Dh47,851) and €13,500 (Dh52,398) annually.
“The fees are exactly the same in Germany, as in Dubai. A student in Germany might want to do a semester in Dubai or students in Dubai might want to do a semester in Germany, that's all possible because the curriculum is the same," said Boris Remes, senior operations manager at the University of Europe for Applied Sciences Dubai.
Broadening horizons
Students at the Dubai campus will have the provision of transferring to campuses in Berlin, Hamburg, Iserlohn and Potsdam, as long as the course is offered at the chosen campus. Students in Dubai would have to complete a year of study in the city to be eligible for the transfer. Students at the university in Germany will also be able to transfer to the campus in Dubai.
"Students have to complete at least one year in Dubai before they can transfer. Other than visa fees, there are no hidden fees," Mr Remes said.
Established more than two decades ago, UE is an accredited private German university known for its academic excellence in business, technology, and design.
Students will divide their time between studying with chair professors and professors of practice “bringing the real world into the classroom”.
Some professors will travel from Germany to Dubai while others will be based at the Dubai campus.
“One of the reasons why MBA is coming earlier than expected is based on the demand we've seen specifically for the MBA programmes we offer,” Mr Remes said.
If the students graduate in Dubai they will be able to apply for a six-month German job-seeker's visa.
"However, if they were to transfer to Germany and complete their last semester in Germany, they will qualify for an 18-month job-seeker visa," Mr Remes said.
The MBA programme will be the first to launch, in January, while master’s courses such as data science, software engineering, visual and experience design will start in March.
Masters in innovation design management, and undergraduate programmes in business management and digital business and data science will launch in September 2024.
Green ambitions
- Trees: 1,500 to be planted, replacing 300 felled ones, with veteran oaks protected
- Lake: Brown's centrepiece to be cleaned of silt that makes it as shallow as 2.5cm
- Biodiversity: Bat cave to be added and habitats designed for kingfishers and little grebes
- Flood risk: Longer grass, deeper lake, restored ponds and absorbent paths all meant to siphon off water
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Breast cancer in men: the facts
1) Breast cancer is men is rare but can develop rapidly. It usually occurs in those over the ages of 60, but can occasionally affect younger men.
2) Symptoms can include a lump, discharge, swollen glands or a rash.
3) People with a history of cancer in the family can be more susceptible.
4) Treatments include surgery and chemotherapy but early diagnosis is the key.
5) Anyone concerned is urged to contact their doctor
Ain Dubai in numbers
126: The length in metres of the legs supporting the structure
1 football pitch: The length of each permanent spoke is longer than a professional soccer pitch
16 A380 Airbuses: The equivalent weight of the wheel rim.
9,000 tonnes: The amount of steel used to construct the project.
5 tonnes: The weight of each permanent spoke that is holding the wheel rim in place
192: The amount of cable wires used to create the wheel. They measure a distance of 2,4000km in total, the equivalent of the distance between Dubai and Cairo.
'Worse than a prison sentence'
Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.
“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.
“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.
“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.
“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.
“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The story of Edge
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, established Edge in 2019.
It brought together 25 state-owned and independent companies specialising in weapons systems, cyber protection and electronic warfare.
Edge has an annual revenue of $5 billion and employs more than 12,000 people.
Some of the companies include Nimr, a maker of armoured vehicles, Caracal, which manufactures guns and ammunitions company, Lahab
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Manchester City (0) v Liverpool (3)
Uefa Champions League, quarter-final, second leg
Where: Etihad Stadium
When: Tuesday, 10.45pm
Live on beIN Sports HD
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
One in nine do not have enough to eat
Created in 1961, the World Food Programme is pledged to fight hunger worldwide as well as providing emergency food assistance in a crisis.
One of the organisation’s goals is the Zero Hunger Pledge, adopted by the international community in 2015 as one of the 17 Sustainable Goals for Sustainable Development, to end world hunger by 2030.
The WFP, a branch of the United Nations, is funded by voluntary donations from governments, businesses and private donations.
Almost two thirds of its operations currently take place in conflict zones, where it is calculated that people are more than three times likely to suffer from malnutrition than in peaceful countries.
It is currently estimated that one in nine people globally do not have enough to eat.
On any one day, the WFP estimates that it has 5,000 lorries, 20 ships and 70 aircraft on the move.
Outside emergencies, the WFP provides school meals to up to 25 million children in 63 countries, while working with communities to improve nutrition. Where possible, it buys supplies from developing countries to cut down transport cost and boost local economies.
