Pupils are being encouraged to consider their university degrees carefully to ensure a flourishing career in a post-Covid-19 world.
The labour market worldwide, like most other sectors, was heavily affected by the pandemic. Recruiters told The National job-seekers would have to upskill or embrace the gig economy to keep a steady income.
Now, experts in higher education are advising pupils to prepare for a post-virus labour market, which could see another transformation.
The National has compiled a list of five university degrees that could be in-demand after the pandemic. The list is based on comments provided by Hale Education, an education consultancy group in Dubai, and Heriot-Watt University in Dubai.
1. Public Health
The Covid-19 outbreak has shed light on some of the strongest and weakest healthcare systems worldwide. University degrees that offer a versatile role in the health and science fields are going to be sought after more than ever as jobs in these areas experience growth.
“This is an interdisciplinary programme which usually has two tracks: one for students that want to focus on the hard sciences and attend medical school, and one for students interested in epidemiology, statistics, policy, and social sciences,” said Peter Davos, founder of Hale Education.
“It focuses on addressing systemic and chronic public health problems, such as diabetes to obesity, to access to quality care, and even hospital organisation and administration.”
2. Data Science
This is already one of the most popular university majors in the United States and is picking up demand in the UAE.
Data science is an interdisciplinary field that is a mix of computer science, mathematics and problem solving.
Stephen Gill, head for the school of mathematical and computer sciences at Heriot-Watt University, said skill requirements naturally change when there is an increased usage of technology. In this case, data science is a direct result of the fourth industrial revolution.
“Between 2015 and 2018, there has been almost a 100 per cent increase in job postings with ‘AI’ or ‘machine learning’ tags. Similarly, we are now observing a huge demand for, and a noticeable shortage of qualified data scientists,” said Mr Gill.
A report from the World Economic Forum said 50 per cent of all employees will need reskilling by 2025, as adoption of technology increases.
"With technology today transforming every aspect of our daily lives, career opportunities in these fields are on the rise," said Mr Gill.
"While there are several options to choose from, students in general will cultivate skills that will be applicable to the vast majority of jobs, such as creative thinking, problem solving and negotiation.”
3. Cyber security
The cyber security market will be worth $363.05 billion in 2025, according to research consultancy group Mordor Intelligence. The market is expected to grow at an annual growth rate of 14.5 per cent over the next five years.
With the world moving to all things digital, governments and the public are eager to protect themselves against cyber-attacks.
“The global cost of cybercrime is expected to reach $11.4Million per minute in 2021,” said Mr Davos. “The US government suffered its largest and most serious cyber-attack on its government only days ago and cyber security majors have never been in greater demand.”
It was reported widely this week that hackers spent several months hacking into the systems of government agencies, US treasury and departments of homeland security, state and defence.
4. Biotechnology
As the name suggests, this field includes all technology based on biology. Humans have been using biotechnology for decades. It involves using living organisms to make products, such as bread and cheese.
But, with the advancement of technology, biotech is being used in more and more fields, including genetics, biochemistry, molecular biology, medicine and therapies, agriculture (modified plants and biofuels) and industrial biotech.
It can also play an important role in the development of vaccines.
Researchers involved in vaccine development for Covid-19 said it may require annual booster shots as the variants of the virus emerge. Biotechnology is likely to be a much sought after degree for years to come.
5. Immunology
This study of the immune system could not be more relevant as the world grapples with the current pandemic.
Immunologists work to diagnose, manage and treat conditions such as allergies, asthma and immunodeficiency. They often use their clinical experience to research and test new treatments as well as finding a way to boost immunity among specific, vulnerable groups.
The work of an immunologist will always be needed, pandemic or not.
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MATCH INFO
Who: UAE v USA
What: first T20 international
When: Friday, 2pm
Where: ICC Academy in Dubai
The biog
Favourite book: You Are the Placebo – Making your mind matter, by Dr Joe Dispenza
Hobby: Running and watching Welsh rugby
Travel destination: Cyprus in the summer
Life goals: To be an aspirational and passionate University educator, enjoy life, be healthy and be the best dad possible.
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THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick
Hometown: Cologne, Germany
Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)
Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes
Favourite hobby: Football
Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk
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Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Villains
Queens of the Stone Age
Matador
EPL's youngest
- Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)
15 years, 181 days old
- Max Dowman (Arsenal)
15 years, 235 days old
- Jeremy Monga (Leicester)
15 years, 271 days old
- Harvey Elliott (Fulham)
16 years, 30 days old
- Matthew Briggs (Fulham)
16 years, 68 days old
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Ashes 2019 schedule
August 1-5: First Test, Edgbaston
August 14-18: Second Test, Lord's
August 22-26: Third Test, Headingley
September 4-8: Fourth Test, Old Trafford
September 12-16: Fifth Test, Oval
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AIR
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Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
Result
2.15pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,950m; Winner: Majestic Thunder, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).
2.45pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,800m; Winner: Tailor’s Row, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
3.15pm: Handicap Dh85,000 1,600m; Winner: Native Appeal, Adam McLean, Doug Watson.
3.45pm: Handicap Dh115,000 1,950m; Winner: Conclusion, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi.
4.15pm: Handicap Dh100,000 1,400m; Winner: Pilgrim’s Treasure, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.
4.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,400m; Winner: Sanad Libya, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
5.15pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,000m; Winner: Midlander, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
MATCH INFO
Watford 1 (Deulofeu 80' p)
Chelsea 2 (Abraham 5', Pulisic 55')
Asia%20Cup%202022
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWhat%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EAsia%20Cup%20final%3A%20Sri%20Lanka%20v%20Pakistan%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWhen%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3ESunday%2C%20September%2011%2C%20from%206pm%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWhere%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EDubai%20International%20Stadium%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EHow%20to%20watch%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3ECatch%20the%20live%20action%20on%20Starzplay%20across%20Mena%20region.%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
COMPANY PROFILE
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
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