Six of Harvard's schools will switch to online-only classes in the next academic year, as the university joined a growing list of higher education institutions that will keep students off campus until at least 2021.
The University of Cambridge has also confirmed that all “face-to-face lectures” will be held remotely during the next academic year.
Top international universities are changing their mode of teaching amid the coronavirus pandemic, with some colleges planning for online-only classes for the fall semester.
Online learning arrangements that kicked in at the beginning of the year as campuses closed to limit the spread of Covid-19 may continue through the next academic year in some cases.
At the same time, several top colleges in the world are opting for a hybrid mode of teaching, which will include a mix of online and physical classroom learning.
Many universities are still assessing the situation before announcing a final decision.
The UAE Ministry of Education has kept the options open, maintaining that distance learning for students across universities could be extended to the next academic year.
The ministry has clarified that any decision on the academic year 2020/2021 “is still under review” and will be taken “based on the health situation and precautionary measures”, according to state news agency Wam
The number of international students has increased globally and reached 5.3 million in 2017, up from two million in 2000, according to The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.
Peter Davos, managing director of Hale Education Group, an education consultancy in Dubai, said universities will have to be more flexible to attract students but the coronavirus would not decrease the appetite for foreign education.
He said the coronavirus had pushed pupils to explore diversified options and include online programmes on their lists.
“We are seeing more interest in online options and in options closer to home. Students have raised their concerns and are applying to additional programmes, some of which are online,” said Mr Davos.
“We are not shifting entirely to an online model. I think it is a short-term consideration but not a long-term prospect.”
The National brings to you a list of universities that will give instructions almost exclusively online and ones that will have a mix of real and virtual lessons for students.
Harvard: online only
As of June 3, six of Harvard's 12 degree schools have confirmed that they will continue with online classes this fall semester.
Harvard Law School, Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard School of Public Health, Harvard Graduate School of Design, and Harvard Divinity School will hold online-only classes in the coming term.
Harvard Graduate School of Education will go ahead with online lessons for the 2020-2021 academic year.
The university will continue with "remote teaching, learning, working, and research. [It] will resume science lab operations with stringent requirements," according to Harvard's website.
Cambridge: online only
The University of Cambridge has confirmed that all "face-to-face lectures" will be held remotely during the next academic year.
“The University is constantly adapting to changing advice as it emerges during this pandemic,” said a spokesman for the university.
“Given that it is likely that social distancing will continue to be required, the university has decided there will be no face-to-face lectures during the next academic year.”
Stanford: face-to-face classes
Stanford’s main campus is located in Santa Clara County, which was one of the nation’s early hot spots for Covid-19.
However, it has announced plans for returning students and faculty to its campus by mid-September.
The university said it plans to resume in-person classes and will start the fall quarter one week early, on September 14, and end classes by Friday, November 20, though its business, education, law and medical schools may adopt their own calendars.
For its undergraduate programmes, it will draw a quarterly plan where half of the students will be on campus for the fall quarter and each subsequent quarters.
Boston University: hybrid classes
Undergraduate students at the university will have the option of taking in-person or online classes this fall semester, the university said this week.
Learn from Anywhere (LFA), is the new hybrid teaching format that is going to be introduced.
“The LFA format lets students decide how to take classes, based on their needs and their comfort level,” president Robert Brown said on the university’s website.
“BU students now have the option to either be in the classroom in person or to participate remotely from their dorm room or off-campus home, and they can exercise that remote option at any time during the semester. LFA also enables the university to provide the necessary social distancing in classrooms, studios, and laboratory spaces.”
"Return to a residential campus operation is our goal; all efforts to that end are being made deliberately and in consultation with the Medical Advisory Group established by the university. We will provide further details as this phased transition progresses," a university spokesman said.
Oxford: hybrid classes
Oxford University plans to hold a mix of online and face-to-face classes.
“For undergraduate and taught graduate courses, the emphasis on small-group teaching by leading academics [for example, in undergraduate tutorials] is fundamental to an Oxford education and will continue to be a central part of our offering in the 2020/21 academic year,” according to the university website.
“Face-to-face teaching and research supervision will be complemented by high quality online activities where necessary.
“Arrangements for teaching and/or research will, of course, be subject to conditions prevailing at the time and always with the health and safety of students and staff as the first priority”.
University of Pennsylvania: hybrid classes
University of Pennsylvania is planning a likely combination of in-class and virtual teaching (particularly for large lectures) depending on the circumstances.
The university has formed a Recovery Planning Group that is examining the elements that would be required to allow a safe return to more normal campus operations, such as testing, contact tracing, isolation of Covid-19 positive people, and optimising the capacity to provide separate bedroom for students.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology: undecided
MIT has not made any announcement yet about the coming fall semester, with a decision expected in late June or early July.
“However, the situation is still changing very rapidly,” according to the MIT website.
“While we’re learning more about Covid-19 every day, MIT’s leaders believe the right and responsible thing to do is to wait until the last possible moment to make that decision – so that our decision is informed by the best possible understanding of the progression of Covid-19, and of how to stop its spread.”
A more hybrid mix of classes could be rolled out for students.
“We anticipate that all classes will need to have an online option, to accommodate both students and instructors who may be at heightened risk from Covid-19.”
Yale: undecided
Yale is still undecided if it will go ahead with online, residential or hybrid lessons for the fall semester.
An announcement is expected in early July following guidelines from state and medical authorities.
In a residential scenario, it is likely that there will be no breaks for Labour Day or October recess, and it will end by November 20, before the Thanksgiving week.
“Academic commitments after Thanksgiving will be online, and the campus will close to undergraduates," said Marvin M. Chun Dean of Yale College.
"Depending on the global health situation, emergency accommodation may be considered for students who may not be able to travel home at that time, as in this past spring.”
About Tenderd
Started: May 2018
Founder: Arjun Mohan
Based: Dubai
Size: 23 employees
Funding: Raised $5.8m in a seed fund round in December 2018. Backers include Y Combinator, Beco Capital, Venturesouq, Paul Graham, Peter Thiel, Paul Buchheit, Justin Mateen, Matt Mickiewicz, SOMA, Dynamo and Global Founders Capital
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Company%20profile
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UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
QUALIFYING RESULTS
1. Max Verstappen, Netherlands, Red Bull Racing Honda, 1 minute, 35.246 seconds.
2. Valtteri Bottas, Finland, Mercedes, 1:35.271.
3. Lewis Hamilton, Great Britain, Mercedes, 1:35.332.
4. Lando Norris, Great Britain, McLaren Renault, 1:35.497.
5. Alexander Albon, Thailand, Red Bull Racing Honda, 1:35.571.
6. Carlos Sainz Jr, Spain, McLaren Renault, 1:35.815.
7. Daniil Kvyat, Russia, Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda, 1:35.963.
8. Lance Stroll, Canada, Racing Point BWT Mercedes, 1:36.046.
9. Charles Leclerc, Monaco, Ferrari, 1:36.065.
10. Pierre Gasly, France, Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda, 1:36.242.
Eliminated after second session
11. Esteban Ocon, France, Renault, 1:36.359.
12. Daniel Ricciardo, Australia, Renault, 1:36.406.
13. Sebastian Vettel, Germany, Ferrari, 1:36.631.
14. Antonio Giovinazzi, Italy, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:38.248.
Eliminated after first session
15. Antonio Giovinazzi, Italy, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:37.075.
16. Kimi Raikkonen, Finland, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:37.555.
17. Kevin Magnussen, Denmark, Haas Ferrari, 1:37.863.
18. George Russell, Great Britain, Williams Mercedes, 1:38.045.
19. Pietro Fittipaldi, Brazil, Haas Ferrari, 1:38.173.
20. Nicholas Latifi, Canada, Williams Mercedes, 1:38.443.
Cricket World Cup League Two
Teams
Oman, UAE, Namibia
Al Amerat, Muscat
Results
Oman beat UAE by five wickets
UAE beat Namibia by eight runs
Namibia beat Oman by 52 runs
UAE beat Namibia by eight wickets
Fixtures
Saturday January 11 - UAE v Oman
Sunday January 12 – Oman v Namibia
What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs: 2018 Infiniti QX80
Price: base / as tested: Dh335,000
Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 400hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 560Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.1L / 100km
How to donate
Text the following numbers:
2289 - Dh10
6025 - Dh 20
2252 - Dh 50
2208 - Dh 100
6020 - Dh 200
*numbers work for both Etisalat and du
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
Company%20profile
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A timeline of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language
- 2018: Formal work begins
- November 2021: First 17 volumes launched
- November 2022: Additional 19 volumes released
- October 2023: Another 31 volumes released
- November 2024: All 127 volumes completed
The Sky Is Pink
Director: Shonali Bose
Cast: Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Farhan Akhtar, Zaira Wasim, Rohit Saraf
Three stars
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
The Outsider
Stephen King, Penguin
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
The Pope's itinerary
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
