Dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, while on a video call with their teachers, was not the graduation ceremony these UAE pupils had dreamt of.
However, walking down the stage in their graduation gowns was out of the question as school campuses across the country remain closed with the stay-at-home order in effect.
It was the last day of class for pupils at the British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.
Ideally, the big day should have been celebrated together with family and friends as the graduates are ready to move onto the next chapter of their lives.
But the Covid-19 pandemic completely changed a meaningful milestone like graduation.
These pupils didn’t get the chance to say proper goodbyes after being in school for the past 13 or 14 years.
Their final day on campus was a video conference on Zoom but they kept their spirit high as they celebrated their big day.
British pupil Nancy Donaldson, 18, said they also received a 30-minute-long pre-recorded video, in which teachers shared their heartfelt messages.
“I definitely did not expect that it would be like this,” she said.
“It was difficult not having a one-to-one with the teachers at the school.
“It’s a lot worse here than it was in the UK. The difference is that we are all going to different countries as we’re all international students. Some of these people I genuinely will never see in my life again.”
She said her school has a tradition of seniors walking down the stairs, shaking their teachers’ hands with their parents.
Instead, they bid farewell during a final online class.
Amira Al Hendi, a 17-year-old Emirati pupil, said it all felt very “unofficial” as she had hoped to see her classmates and teachers one more time.
“Graduation is something every kid looks forward to because you see the older ones graduate and you see the traditions of the school, so you expect to be part of that one day as well,” she said.
“It’s a moment we look forward to and we didn’t get that, whether it’s the graduation ceremony, prom or doing exams on campus.”
Alex Darling, a 17-year-old Australian pupil, has been attending this school for six years and said he hoped to see his school friends once the restrictions are over.
He wore shorts and t-shirt to his final day of virtual classes and the unofficial graduation ceremony.
“I never expected I’d be saying bye to them like this. I always had the view that it would be like any other year and I would get a proper farewell from my teachers and friends, but it hasn’t turned out the way we all thought it would,” he said.
“It feels very unofficial but the teachers have tried their best to give the same feeling we would’ve had if we were in school. It still feels incomplete.”
Meanwhile, in Dubai, a parent made a grand gesture for pupils graduating at the Jumeira Baccalaureate School by paying Emaar to light up the Burj Khalifa with a congratulatory message.
On Wednesday, the Burj Khalifa displayed: ‘JBS Class of 2020, Congratulations!’.
The message was sponsored by a parent of a pupil in grade 12 at the school who wished to surprise her daughter and her classmates.
"I am a proud parent at Jumeira Baccalaureate School. I know all the children in the graduating class and wanted to uplift their spirits. 2020 has been an odd and difficult year for our children and I wanted to spread some good cheer," said the mother, who did not wish to be named.
The mum said she wanted to do something special to mark the big day for her daughter and her class.
"I have known most of the pupils since they were children. I have watched them grow up and I felt sad that they were going to miss their graduation, which is such an important milestone. I wanted to surprise them and wanted to do something special to remember the Class of 2020," she said.
"We came together as a community, and celebrated this special occasion virtually."
Richard Drew, principal at Jumeira Baccalaureate School said that class of 2020 will certainly be celebrated in history.
“Following our grade 12 leaver's assembly celebrating the pupils' achievements, one of our parents made the remarkable gesture of lighting up the Burj Khalifa,” he said.
The biog
Name: Younis Al Balooshi
Nationality: Emirati
Education: Doctorate degree in forensic medicine at the University of Bonn
Hobbies: Drawing and reading books about graphic design
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO
Watford 2 (Sarr 50', Deeney 54' pen)
Manchester United 0
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion
The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.
Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".
The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.
He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.
"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.
As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.
Scores
Day 2
New Zealand 153 & 56-1
Pakistan 227
New Zealand trail by 18 runs with nine wickets remaining
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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
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
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if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
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Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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1.
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United States
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2.
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China
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3.
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UAE
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4.
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Japan
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5
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Norway
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6.
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Canada
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7.
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Singapore
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8.
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Australia
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9.
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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UAE v United States, T20 International Series
Both matches at ICC Academy, Dubai. Admission is free.
1st match: Friday, 2pm
2nd match: Saturday, 2pm
UAE squad: Mohammed Naveed (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Shaiman Anwar, Rameez Shahzad, Amjad Gul, CP Rizwan, Mohammed Boota, Abdul Shakoor, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Sultan Ahmed, Zahoor Khan, Amir Hayat
USA squad: Saurabh Netravalkar (captain), Jaskaran Malhotra, Elmore Hutchinson, Aaron Jones, Nosthush Kenjige, Ali Khan, Jannisar Khan, Xavier Marshall, Monank Patel, Timil Patel, Roy Silva, Jessy Singh, Steven Taylor, Hayden Walsh
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
Gifts exchanged
- King Charles - replica of President Eisenhower Sword
- Queen Camilla - Tiffany & Co vintage 18-carat gold, diamond and ruby flower brooch
- Donald Trump - hand-bound leather book with Declaration of Independence
- Melania Trump - personalised Anya Hindmarch handbag
UAE v Ireland
1st ODI, UAE win by 6 wickets
2nd ODI, January 12
3rd ODI, January 14
4th ODI, January 16
Need to know
The flights: Flydubai flies from Dubai to Kilimanjaro airport via Dar es Salaam from Dh1,619 return including taxes. The trip takes 8 hours.
The trek: Make sure that whatever tour company you select to climb Kilimanjaro, that it is a reputable one. The way to climb successfully would be with experienced guides and porters, from a company committed to quality, safety and an ethical approach to the mountain and its staff. Sonia Nazareth booked a VIP package through Safari Africa. The tour works out to $4,775 (Dh17,538) per person, based on a 4-person booking scheme, for 9 nights on the mountain (including one night before and after the trek at Arusha). The price includes all meals, a head guide, an assistant guide for every 2 trekkers, porters to carry the luggage, a cook and kitchen staff, a dining and mess tent, a sleeping tent set up for 2 persons, a chemical toilet and park entrance fees. The tiny ration of heated water provided for our bath in our makeshift private bathroom stall was the greatest luxury. A standard package, also based on a 4-person booking, works out to $3,050 (Dh11,202) per person.
When to go: You can climb Kili at any time of year, but the best months to ascend are January-February and September-October. Also good are July and August, if you’re tolerant of the colder weather that winter brings.
Do not underestimate the importance of kit. Even if you’re travelling at a relatively pleasant time, be geared up for the cold and the rain.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Power: 650hp at 6,750rpm
Torque: 800Nm from 2,500-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Fuel consumption: 11.12L/100km
Price: From Dh796,600
On sale: now
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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