Drive-throughs were once the preserve of burger joints and movies. Now they are more the preserve of PCR tests and vaccine shots.
But faced with the prospect of graduating on Zoom, Ajman University's class of 2021 opted for a dazzling vehicular ceremony in which 1,530 students saw each other off in style.
Students donned their gowns and hats and families piled into cars where they waited for their name to be called and degrees awarded.
Horns blared and graduates posed hanging out of sunroofs and car windows on a day to remember.
We had been waiting for this day for four years and this was amazing
“Receiving the graduation certificate on campus is not just a symbolic gesture but an intrinsic part of the student experience at the university," said Dr Karim Seghir, chancellor at Ajman University.
“Ajman University wanted to ensure that students enjoy this experience even while respecting social distancing norms required to stay safe during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We envisioned this ceremony to facilitate that, and are thankful to all the faculty, staff and students for adhering to the norms and ensuring the success of this event.”
After receiving a negative DPI test result in the past 72 hours, students were given a sticker they were required to adhere to the windshield of their cars.
Families could join them in the car but were not allowed to exit the vehicle.
As the proceedings began, students followed the signs to the Sheikh Zayed Centre where the ceremony was held.
When their turn arrived, students got out of their cars, walked on the red carpet and collected their degrees.
Dvija Pandya, 23, an Indian student, said she had dressed in a traditional sari to collect her bachelors in pharmacy degree.
"This experience, a drive-through graduation, was a unique one I can tell people about," Ms Pandya said.
"I don’t think anyone in the UAE has seen a ceremony like this."
Ms Pandya said she and her family waited their turn in a giant parking lot. When her serial number arrived she stepped out to get her degree and her quintessential photograph with the chancellor.
"I studied for four years and this university graduation was a one-of-a-kind experience," Ms Pandya said.
"So many people had to graduate on Zoom, but we were able to dress up and celebrate."
Mohammad Afsal, 22, an Indian student, said he had thought of graduation day on many occasions through his four years of study, but never imagined he would be handed the degree in a drive-through celebration.
Mr Afsal was awarded a bachelor of science in accounting this week.
"Most major universities chose online graduations, but online events are not memorable. We had been waiting for this day for four years and this was an amazing initiative," Mr Afsal said.
He said a stage and radio station had been set up, and students could hear the chancellor's speeches and felicitations.
Mr Afsal said he was excited because his parents and cousins joined him in the car to collect the degree.
"Usually we only get two passes for parents, but this time we could take our entire family," he said.
Bareilly Ki Barfi
Directed by: Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari
Starring: Kriti Sanon, Ayushmann Khurrana, Rajkummar Rao
Three and a half stars
THE SPECS
Engine: six-litre W12 twin-turbo
Transmission: eight-speed dual clutch auto
Power: 626bhp
Torque: 900Nm
Price: Dh940,160 (plus VAT)
On sale: Q1 2020
A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
Rating: 4/5
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
Polarised public
31% in UK say BBC is biased to left-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is biased to right-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is not biased at all
Source: YouGov
Most wanted allegations
- Benjamin Macann, 32: involvement in cocaine smuggling gang.
- Jack Mayle, 30: sold drugs from a phone line called the Flavour Quest.
- Callum Halpin, 27: over the 2018 murder of a rival drug dealer.
- Asim Naveed, 29: accused of being the leader of a gang that imported cocaine.
- Calvin Parris, 32: accused of buying cocaine from Naveed and selling it on.
- John James Jones, 31: allegedly stabbed two people causing serious injuries.
- Callum Michael Allan, 23: alleged drug dealing and assaulting an emergency worker.
- Dean Garforth, 29: part of a crime gang that sold drugs and guns.
- Joshua Dillon Hendry, 30: accused of trafficking heroin and crack cocain.
- Mark Francis Roberts, 28: grievous bodily harm after a bungled attempt to steal a £60,000 watch.
- James ‘Jamie’ Stevenson, 56: for arson and over the seizure of a tonne of cocaine.
- Nana Oppong, 41: shot a man eight times in a suspected gangland reprisal attack.
Super Bowl LIII schedule
What Super Bowl LIII
Who is playing New England Patriots v Los Angeles Rams
Where Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, United States
When Sunday (start time is 3.30am on Monday UAE time)
Yahya Al Ghassani's bio
Date of birth: April 18, 1998
Playing position: Winger
Clubs: 2015-2017 – Al Ahli Dubai; March-June 2018 – Paris FC; August – Al Wahda
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
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TECH%20SPECS%3A%20APPLE%20WATCH%20SERIES%209
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'O'
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THE BIO
Bio Box
Role Model: Sheikh Zayed, God bless his soul
Favorite book: Zayed Biography of the leader
Favorite quote: To be or not to be, that is the question, from William Shakespeare's Hamlet
Favorite food: seafood
Favorite place to travel: Lebanon
Favorite movie: Braveheart
Frankenstein in Baghdad
Ahmed Saadawi
Penguin Press
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
Turkish Ladies
Various artists, Sony Music Turkey
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: BorrowMe (BorrowMe.com)
Date started: August 2021
Founder: Nour Sabri
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: E-commerce / Marketplace
Size: Two employees
Funding stage: Seed investment
Initial investment: $200,000
Investors: Amr Manaa (director, PwC Middle East)
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Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
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