Friday, Jul 03, 2009
Gulf News
Dubai: Universities in the UAE are not currently changing their academic calendar to fall in line with the Ministry of Education's decision to begin the academic school year after Eid Al Fitr.
However, the Cabinet may be "discussing the case for universities in their next meeting," Gulf News has learned from a source who wished to remain unnamed.
Dubai Women's College (DWC), part of the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), is one of those that will not change their academic calendar, and has announced that the 2009-10 academic year will commence on August 30.
"As far as we stand DWC follows the HCT academic calendar and they have not informed us of any changes," Dr Bahjat Al Yousuf, associate director of DWC, said.
Officials from the Ministry of Higher Education in Abu Dhabi were not available for comment,
As far as higher education is concerned Dr Yusuf said: "I don't see that it will impact us."
She went on to say the issue may apply to young pupils as the difficulties of fasting in the heat may affect their learning. "[University students] are adults all aged 18 and above so their bodies are more equipped to adjust to the change," she said.
Dr Ayoub Kazim, executive director of Dubai Academic City, which hosts an array of international universities, said the decision to alter the academic calendar lies with the individual institutions.
However, he does think "it's a great idea as long as it doesn't jeopardise the academic plan for universities or the academic quality of the programmes delivered by the institutions."
Officials of most higher education institutions that Gulf News contacted for comment where either away on holiday or unaware of recent developments.
"I do not know if the policy affects universities and will have to find out," said Professor Brendan Mullan, executive director of Michigan State University Dubai.
"[However] we are always respectful of social customs and make every effort to obey and accommodate the needs surrounding those customs ... without diminishing in anyway the quality of our instruction," Mullan said.
By Rania Moussly, Staff Reporter
Gulf News 2009. All rights reserved.
