The new provost of New York University Abu Dhabi said the Covid-19 pandemic was an opportunity for students to learn about strength in the face of adversity.
The pandemic has resulted in schools and universities across the world having to cope with many students learning remotely, while those who are in classrooms have to practice strict social distancing measures.
Dr Arlie Petters, who took over as provost at the university at the start of September, said he was impressed by how the students have adapted to the new measures put in place.
“They have shown great resilience even though the connections they would usually have with other students are not there right now,” said Dr Petters, who was selected for the role of provost following a nine-month global search.
There has been a willingness to help each other that has shown me the better side of humanity
“I am very proud of how they have handled it, especially in terms of continuing their studies.
“It’s a challenge for everyone but I firmly believe we will all get through it.”
He said the response from students and staff at the university had shown him the importance of human connection.
“I have been impressed by how students have been helping each other, how the staff have been working overtime and how the faculty has responded to all these variables,” he said.
“There has been a willingness to help each other that has shown me the better side of humanity.”
Restrictions of pandemic can encourage innovation
Dr Petters said there were also opportunities to explore new methods of education, which would not have been possible before the pandemic.
“We are drawing more and more on online innovations for learning,” he said.
“We also seeing the benefits of it right now in meeting the different learning styles of students in ways that would not be so easily done in an in-person classroom.
“I believe when we get back to in-person learning, whenever that might be, these elements will continue to benefit us.”
Dr Petters was 14 when left his native Belize to move to New York. He went on to secure roles at prestigious colleges including Princeton University, where he served as assistant professor of mathematics, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) as an instructor of pure mathematics.
He also was the Benjamin Powell professor of mathematics and a professor of physics and economics at Duke University, where he had been on the faculty since 1998.
His own heritage makes him uniquely qualified to talk about the racial divisions and the resulting riots that are now commonplace in the US.
“I come from a mixed heritage, my mother is black and my father is a Mestizo,” he said.
“Belize is a small country, of about 350,000 people, but it is so diverse, I remember meeting so many people from diverse backgrounds when I was a child.
“After moving to the US I found myself having to deal with racism, I was part of a group that felt oppressed.”
Rather than become embittered, he said his experiences made him question why such divisions existed.
‘You have to ask is there a misunderstanding between people that is bridgeable,” he said.
“One positive opportunity that comes out of the protests and the pain we see in the US is it allows us all to really try and increase our capacity for empathy.
“It’s an opportunity to increase intercultural understanding.”
University leader has a global vision
That empathy and compassion are key tenets of his vision for NYU Abu Dhabi.
‘We want to foster excellence in our students so they become global citizens,” he said.
“With that comes empathy for our fellow human beings. That is among the best qualities we can offer our undergraduates, graduates and faculty.”
He said the set-up of NYU Abu Dhabi makes it perfectly positioned to be a microcosm of the world, with 115 different nationalities all learning together.
“An important part of my ethos is to create a desire to understand someone who is different from you and has a different view,” said Dr Petters.
UAE adapts in effort to overcome Covid-19:
“It’s important to be able to sit with that difference even if it makes you uncomfortable at times.”
He added that he took the role at NYU Abu Dhabi because he believed the university shared his values.
“I am drawn to an environment that promotes key human qualities, I know I will continue to grow and we will continue to be a role model for the world,” he said.
“We want to develop our capacities in ways that promote peace, cooperation and productivity in the world.”
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Bombshell
Director: Jay Roach
Stars: Nicole Kidman, Charlize Theron, Margot Robbie
Four out of five stars
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Fly Etihad or Emirates from the UAE to Moscow from 2,763 return per person return including taxes.
Where to stay
Trips on the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian cost from US$16,995 (Dh62,414) per person, based on two sharing.
The specs: McLaren 600LT
Price, base: Dh914,000
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 600hp @ 7,500rpm
Torque: 620Nm @ 5,500rpm
Fuel economy 12.2.L / 100km
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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
Keep it fun and engaging
Stuart Ritchie, director of wealth advice at AES International, says children cannot learn something overnight, so it helps to have a fun routine that keeps them engaged and interested.
“I explain to my daughter that the money I draw from an ATM or the money on my bank card doesn’t just magically appear – it’s money I have earned from my job. I show her how this works by giving her little chores around the house so she can earn pocket money,” says Mr Ritchie.
His daughter is allowed to spend half of her pocket money, while the other half goes into a bank account. When this money hits a certain milestone, Mr Ritchie rewards his daughter with a small lump sum.
He also recommends books that teach the importance of money management for children, such as The Squirrel Manifesto by Ric Edelman and Jean Edelman.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Canadians living in the UAE can register to vote online and be added to the International Register of Electors.
They'll then be sent a special ballot voting kit by mail either to their address, the Consulate General of Canada to the UAE in Dubai or The Embassy of Canada in Abu Dhabi
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Who: France v Croatia
When: Sunday, July 15, 7pm (UAE)
TV: Game will be shown live on BeIN Sports for viewers in the Mena region
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Vardy 58'
FIXTURES
Thu Mar 15 – West Indies v Afghanistan, UAE v Scotland
Fri Mar 16 – Ireland v Zimbabwe
Sun Mar 18 – Ireland v Scotland
Mon Mar 19 – West Indies v Zimbabwe
Tue Mar 20 – UAE v Afghanistan
Wed Mar 21 – West Indies v Scotland
Thu Mar 22 – UAE v Zimbabwe
Fri Mar 23 – Ireland v Afghanistan
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The top-placed side out of Papua New Guinea, Hong Kong or Nepal will be granted one-day international status. UAE and Scotland have already won ODI status, having qualified for the Super Six.
Thu Mar 15 – Netherlands v Hong Kong, PNG v Nepal
Sat Mar 17 – 7th-8th place playoff, 9th-10th place play-off
Match info
Liverpool 3
Hoedt (10' og), Matip (21'), Salah (45 3')
Southampton 0
Match info
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8.15pm: Dubawi Stakes Group 3 (D) | $200,000 | 1,200m | Winner: Raven’s Corner, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
8.50pm: Singspiel Stakes Group 3 (T) | $200,000 | 1,800m | Winner: Dream Castle, Christophe Soumillon, Saeed bin Suroor
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T20 WORLD CUP
2024: US and West Indies; 2026: India and Sri Lanka; 2028: Australia and New Zealand; 2030: England, Ireland and Scotland
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2027: South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia; 2031: India and
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