Universities in the UAE have overhauled their admissions process following the widespread cancellation of secondary school exams.
Campuses are now acquiring data on other predictors of academic success, such as mock grades, performance and extracurricular activities.
The cancellation of all Grade 12 CBSE, iGCSEs and A-Level exams in the UAE this summer means pupils will be graded by teachers, based on their coursework and school performance over the past three years.
In response, universities have assuaged pupils’ concerns about admissions, reassuring them their criteria has been adapted.
We understand it's much harder to apply to university now, with the future impact of the ongoing pandemic still uncertain
However, the pandemic disruption, albeit unwelcome for schools and students, has created an opportunity for universities to make their admissions processes more fair, rigorous and well-rounded.
At Heriot-Watt University in Dubai, Michael Lawson, regional director of student recruitment, said the recent “unprecedented times call for change”.
During the start of the year, the university announced it would make admissions based on school-assessed grades and predicted scores.
“We believe these are a good indicator of student performance, based on which we are able to make an informed decision,” he said.
“In fact, we have already admitted several students through this process and will continue to do so. Student interviews will be conducted with our faculty where appropriate.
“We have also introduced alternative English language proficiency assessment tests like Pearson Versant and DuoLingo, where applicable.”
The university has also established a Covid-19 relief scholarships programme for students from India.
It will offer all students enrolling from their home country a reduced fee of Dh8,000 for the September 2021 intake.
Dr Vikas Batheja, co-founder and director of Capital University College, a business and design school in Sharjah, said it has been a particularly difficult year for high school pupils looking to enter university.
“There is so much uncertainty lurking around,” he said.
“Now, with the cancellation of CBSE Grade 12 board exams, pupils need our support more than ever.
“We are currently working on developing a new admissions route: Aspire, Apply, Admit and this new system will potentially ease the application process.
“We are hoping to offer admissions based on their provisional results and hand out offer letters. Along with this, we are streamlining a process where we will be conducting face-to-face or virtual meetings with parents and students to extend the support they require during such challenging times.”
Mr Batheja said hopeful pupils could also strengthen their application with “certifications and extracurricular activities relevant to the programme” they are applying for.
At Middlesex University in Dubai, the campus has adapted its entry requirements to take into account the cancellation of school exit exams. “If a student’s exams are postponed or cancelled, they can receive a conditional offer letter or complete their enrolment based on their predicted grades,” said Cedwyn Fernandes, director of Middlesex University Dubai.
“We can also consider more than their qualifications in case these results are not as expected.
“We understand it’s much harder to apply to university now, with the future impact of the ongoing pandemic still uncertain.”
Prabhjeet Singh, chief executive of Glinks International, an education consultancy that helps pupils find places abroad, said universities in many countries have taken similar steps.
“The majority of the universities [we are linked to] in Canada have decided to waive off the condition of submitting the final grades and provide an unconditional letter of acceptance to the students,” said Mr Singh.
"The offer of admission is not impacted by the cancellation of CBSE final exams, as the universities are going to use the predicted grades of grade 12 issued by the schools.
“We hope this recent announcement will ease concerns and help students start their university study journey, without any further interruption.”
5 in-demand university degrees post-Covid
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
How tumultuous protests grew
- A fuel tax protest by French drivers appealed to wider anti-government sentiment
- Unlike previous French demonstrations there was no trade union or organised movement involved
- Demonstrators responded to online petitions and flooded squares to block traffic
- At its height there were almost 300,000 on the streets in support
- Named after the high visibility jackets that drivers must keep in cars
- Clashes soon turned violent as thousands fought with police at cordons
- An estimated two dozen people lost eyes and many others were admitted to hospital
Racecard
6.35pm: American Business Council – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.10pm: British Business Group – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,200m
7.45pm: CCI France UAE – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,400m
8.20pm: Czech Business Council – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh105,000 (D) 1,400m
8.55pm: Netherlands Business Council – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,600m
9.30pm: Indian Business and Professional Council – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,200m
Five expert hiking tips
Always check the weather forecast before setting off
Make sure you have plenty of water
Set off early to avoid sudden weather changes in the afternoon
Wear appropriate clothing and footwear
Take your litter home with you
The specs
Engine: 2x201bhp AC Permanent-magnetic electric
Transmission: n/a
Power: 402bhp
Torque: 659Nm
Price estimate: Dh200,000
On sale: Q3 2022
Quick facts on cancer
- Cancer is the second-leading cause of death worldwide, after cardiovascular diseases
- About one in five men and one in six women will develop cancer in their lifetime
- By 2040, global cancer cases are on track to reach 30 million
- 70 per cent of cancer deaths occur in low and middle-income countries
- This rate is expected to increase to 75 per cent by 2030
- At least one third of common cancers are preventable
- Genetic mutations play a role in 5 per cent to 10 per cent of cancers
- Up to 3.7 million lives could be saved annually by implementing the right health
strategies
- The total annual economic cost of cancer is $1.16 trillion
Low turnout
Two months before the first round on April 10, the appetite of voters for the election is low.
Mathieu Gallard, account manager with Ipsos, which conducted the most recent poll, said current forecasts suggested only two-thirds were "very likely" to vote in the first round, compared with a 78 per cent turnout in the 2017 presidential elections.
"It depends on how interesting the campaign is on their main concerns," he told The National. "Just now, it's hard to say who, between Macron and the candidates of the right, would be most affected by a low turnout."
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The team
Photographer: Mateusz Stefanowski at Art Factory
Videographer: Jear Valasquez
Fashion director: Sarah Maisey
Make-up: Gulum Erzincan at Art Factory
Model: Randa at Art Factory Videographer’s assistant: Zanong Magat
Photographer’s assistant: Sophia Shlykova
With thanks to Jubail Mangrove Park, Jubail Island, Abu Dhabi
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Yemen's Bahais and the charges they often face
The Baha'i faith was made known in Yemen in the 19th century, first introduced by an Iranian man named Ali Muhammad Al Shirazi, considered the Herald of the Baha'i faith in 1844.
The Baha'i faith has had a growing number of followers in recent years despite persecution in Yemen and Iran.
Today, some 2,000 Baha'is reside in Yemen, according to Insaf.
"The 24 defendants represented by the House of Justice, which has intelligence outfits from the uS and the UK working to carry out an espionage scheme in Yemen under the guise of religion.. aimed to impant and found the Bahai sect on Yemeni soil by bringing foreign Bahais from abroad and homing them in Yemen," the charge sheet said.
Baha'Ullah, the founder of the Bahai faith, was exiled by the Ottoman Empire in 1868 from Iran to what is now Israel. Now, the Bahai faith's highest governing body, known as the Universal House of Justice, is based in the Israeli city of Haifa, which the Bahais turn towards during prayer.
The Houthis cite this as collective "evidence" of Bahai "links" to Israel - which the Houthis consider their enemy.
ENGLAND SQUAD
Goalkeepers Henderson, Johnstone, Pickford, Ramsdale
Defenders Alexander-Arnold, Chilwell, Coady, Godfrey, James, Maguire, Mings, Shaw, Stones, Trippier, Walker, White
Midfielders Bellingham, Henderson, Lingard, Mount, Phillips, Rice, Ward-Prowse
Forwards Calvert-Lewin, Foden, Grealish, Greenwood, Kane, Rashford, Saka, Sancho, Sterling, Watkins
RESULTS
Light Flyweight (48kg): Alua Balkibekova (KAZ) beat Gulasal Sultonalieva (UZB) by points 4-1.
Flyweight (51kg): Nazym Kyzaibay (KAZ) beat Mary Kom (IND) 3-2.
Bantamweight (54kg): Dina Zholaman (KAZ) beat Sitora Shogdarova (UZB) 3-2.
Featherweight (57kg): Sitora Turdibekova (UZB) beat Vladislava Kukhta (KAZ) 5-0.
Lightweight (60kg): Rimma Volossenko (KAZ) beat Huswatun Hasanah (INA) KO round-1.
Light Welterweight (64kg): Milana Safronova (KAZ) beat Lalbuatsaihi (IND) 3-2.
Welterweight (69kg): Valentina Khalzova (KAZ) beat Navbakhor Khamidova (UZB) 5-0
Middleweight (75kg): Pooja Rani (IND) beat Mavluda Movlonova (UZB) 5-0.
Light Heavyweight (81kg): Farida Sholtay (KAZ) beat Ruzmetova Sokhiba (UZB) 5-0.
Heavyweight (81 kg): Lazzat Kungeibayeva (KAZ) beat Anupama (IND) 3-2.
