UOS celebrates Chinese students' graduation in Arabic prog
The graduation ceremony was attended by Prof. Yousef Haik, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, alongside Her Excellency Oubo Qian, Consul General of the Chinese Embassy in the UAE, Dr. Asmaa Awad, Director of the Language Institute, as well as members of the academic staff and representatives from the Chinese Embassy. Prof. Haik, in his address, praised the Chinese students for their remarkable proficiency in Arabic, describing their success as a testament to the fruitful academic partnership between the University of Sharjah and its Chinese counterparts. He emphasized that such achievements reflect the University's commitment to advancing Arabic language instruction for non-native speakers and fostering robust scientific and cultural exchange. Looking ahead, Prof. Haik expressed the University's eagerness to welcome more Chinese students, particularly as the institution expands its academic offerings in public policy, international relations, and political science.
In her turn, Her Excellency Oubo Qian, Consul General of the Chinese Embassy, extended her gratitude to the University of Sharjah for its unwavering dedication and productive collaboration with Chinese educational institutions. She commended the University's pioneering role in supporting Chinese students and providing a multicultural academic environment, describing the program as a model for successful cultural exchange between China and the UAE. Ms. Qian also voiced her hope for deeper partnerships through future joint academic and training initiatives.
Dr. Asmaa Awad, Director of the Language Institute, highlighted the program's impressive trajectory since its launch in 2019. She noted that its success has broadened cooperation with numerous Chinese universities and that the curriculum encompasses a diverse array of academic courses, including literature, translation, culture, and heritage. The program, she explained, places a strong emphasis on interactive learning and extracurricular activities, enabling students to develop personally and integrate fully into campus life. Dr. Awad also underscored the collaborative efforts with the Deanships of Student Affairs in organizing a variety of cultural, academic, and recreational events, making the Chinese students' experience on campus both unique and enriching.
During the ceremony, the graduating students expressed their heartfelt appreciation to the University of Sharjah community for its substantial support in helping them acquire new skills and life experiences. They spoke of their gratitude for studying in a diverse academic setting, which allowed them to enhance their Arabic language abilities, develop effective communication skills under expert guidance, and build friendships with peers from diverse backgrounds.
The event concluded with the honoring of several university departments and faculty members in recognition of their vital contributions to the program's success, as well as the celebration of the graduating students for their dedication and achievements throughout the course.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Etihad
2 days ago
- Al Etihad
From candies to cash: Eidiya a centuries-old tradition evolving with the times
6 June 2025 01:19 AYSHA SHAAYA (ABU DHABI)In the days leading up to Eid, banks across the UAE bustle with residents queuing to withdraw crisp new bills - all in preparation for Eidiya, the cherished tradition of gifting money to the young, it's often the most eagerly awaited part of the celebration, with many already making plans with friends on how to spend their treasures. Seven-year-old Shama has kept her cash gifts from the last Eid as she is saving up for a big purchase. 'This Eid, I want to give part of my Eidiya to people in need, and I will use the rest to buy a bicycle,' she told Aletihad . Ten-year-old Ghala said her favourite person every Eid is her mum because she gives her the most Eidiya. 'This time, I will use my Eidiya to buy video games.'Alya, aged 7, always carries a bag throughout the celebration. 'Without my bag, I cannot collect my Eidiya,' she said. Origins and Evolution of Eidiya The tradition is known by various names in different regions, but Eidiya is the most common - a word that comes from the Arabic word 'Eid', which means giving and custom is believed to date back centuries, originating during the Fatimid Caliphate in Egypt, according to historians. At the time, the caliph established a tradition of celebrating Eid by distributing sweets, hosting lavish feasts, and offering money, gifts, and festive clothing to the Eidiya has evolved over time. Fifty-three-year-old Adel remembered receiving Dh1 and candies from neighbours as Eid gifts when he was a child.'In the early days, we would go around the neighbourhood collecting our Eidiya. This culture has become extreme nowadays, with some children demanding a higher sum of money. It also has to be given in an extravagant way, with envelopes or crafted cards,' he said. While Eidiya can come in the form of toys, candy, and clothes, the most common gift remains cash, often given in fancy envelopes. Unique Eidiyas have also emerged, with some giving away cryptocurrency, introducing the youth to the idea of long-term investments.
Sharjah 24
3 days ago
- Sharjah 24
'Structural Conservation of Heritage Buildings' phase 2 concludes
The training course was designed to equip participants with the skills and knowledge to preserve the historical value of heritage structures while also enhancing their structural integrity. It focused on advanced skills in structural assessment and diagnostics, providing practical expertise in designing and implementing targeted structural interventions. These competencies were further strengthened through real-world case studies tackling complex conservation challenges,empowering participants to take a leading role in heritage conservation and drive meaningful impact in the field. "The ICCROM Regional Centre in Sharjah is dedicated to enhancing the capabilities of individuals involved in cultural heritage, including restorers, managers, researchers, and students," stated Mr. Nasir Al Darmaki, Deputy Manager of the ICCROM Regional Centre in Sharjah. "The Centre aims to improve their knowledge and skills in managing, preserving, and revitalizing cultural heritage, ultimately contributing to a better present and future for society. This mission aligns with ICCROM's strategic directions and the vision of the Government of the Emirate of Sharjah for the Arab region." Architect Anwar Sabik, course manager and Programme Officer for Training and Field Projects at the ICCROM Regional Centre in Sharjah, stated: "The goal of organizing this remote training on structural conservation is to engage a wide range of beneficiaries, particularly in areas where structural conservation is most needed. These regions face natural and human challenges that threaten the safety of historic buildings.' 'We aim to present the concept of structural conservation along with its integrated methodology. This approach is supported by a variety of diverse and rich projects and case studies from reputable international experts who are dedicated to high quality and professional ethics. They adapt to the unique characteristics of each region's heritage to enhance knowledge for Arabic speakers.' Dr. Ayman Harzallah and Dr. Marwan Al-Heib conducted the 11-day training course. Dr. Harzallah is a structural and seismic design expert affiliated with the Grucci Foundation in Italy. He has extensive experience in reinforcing and restoring historical, artistic, and archaeological buildings. Dr. Al-Heib is a project manager, educator, and researcher at the University of Lorraine in France, with over 41 years of practical experience in structural engineering and risk assessment. In the first part of the training course, Dr. Al Heib addressed structural restoration techniques, emphasizing the significance of construction technology and material properties. The discussions centered on the behavior of structural elements, such as columns, walls, and beams, particularly in masonry and brickwork. Common issues in historic buildings, such as differential settlement and water damage, were explored alongside restoration techniques and the challenges of using modern materials. The course included case studies that highlighted the integration of engineering principles with conservation efforts, showcasing the importance of collaboration between restoration experts and structural engineers to maintain the historic integrity of buildings. 'The training course aimed to provide an advanced level of structural conservation of historic buildings. Our lectures, which included engineering principles and case studies, aimed to enhance the engineers' competencies in understanding structural behavior so they could conserve heritage buildings," said Dr. Al-Heib, reflecting on his experience as a lecturer in this course. "Through this activity, organized by the ICCROM Regional Centre in Sharjah, interested parties from the Arab region have access to international sources of knowledge within a professional and accessible training framework," he added. In the second part of the training course, led by Dr. Ayman Harzallah, participants delved into engineering principles and structural restoration theory through comprehensive case studies, with a focus on heritage building conservation and earthquake resistance techniques. Key topics included materials analysis, safety calculations, and collaboration between restoration experts and engineers. The course included practical demonstrations, such as the restoration of a 16th-century Italian palace and the transportation of an ancient obelisk from Italy to Ethiopia. It also featured case studies of notable projects, including the Ashrafieh School project, located near the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, and the Saint Catherine's Monastery project in Egypt. "This training course provided an opportunity for me, as an expert in structural and architectural conservation, to share the knowledge I have gained over more than 36 years at the Grucci Foundation in restoring historic buildings of various shapes and sizes across different geographical and social contexts,' said Dr. Harzallah. 'The course enabled us to share disciplined methodologies along with the latest technologies and scientific advancements in structural and architectural conservation. ICCROM has always served as a forum for exchanging experiences and transferring knowledge." The training course concluded with a full day dedicated to discussing case studies presented by participants, who shared real experiences from their respective countries and workplaces. This session allowed the trainees to receive advice from trainers on how to manage these cases, allowing each trainee to tailor the guidance to their specific contexts. A key point raised by the participants was the need for additional specialized training courses, particularly on the consolidation of modern concrete structures classified as heritage sites in the Arab region, as well as the restoration of stone, wood, and earthen buildings. In conclusion, the questions and suggestions raised during the lectures enriched the training experience and provided valuable insights for the ICCROM Regional Centre in Sharjah in developing future training courses as part of its capacity-building programme. The programme's objective is to equip professionals with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary for the conservation and management of cultural heritage sites.
Gulf Today
4 days ago
- Gulf Today
Sharjah allocates 644 mosques to avoid crowding during Eid Al Adha prayers
Sharjah Islamic Affairs (SIA) has announced the completion of its preparations to welcome worshippers for Eid Al-Adha prayers. The department has designated 644 mosques and prayer areas across the emirate's cities and suburbs, including 454 in Sharjah City and Al Hamriyah, 104 in the Central Region, and 86 in the Eastern Region. SIA affirmed that all Eid prayer sites are fully prepared, with comprehensive cleaning, preventive maintenance, carpeting, the installation of cooling and sound systems, and the organisation of outdoor areas to accommodate large numbers of worshippers and their families. The authority added that it is coordinating with the Sharjah Police General Command, Sharjah Municipality, and other relevant entities to ensure the safety and comfort of worshippers during the Eid prayers. In response to community requests, SIA has implemented several development projects to enhance the prayer environments at Al Dhaid Mosque, Al Zubair Mosque, and Al Burair Al Shamali Mosque. These enhancements included levelling the grounds and installing interlocking tiles to facilitate movement and improve comfort, especially for the elderly and people of determination. Additionally, SIA has designated several mosques and prayer areas for non-Arabic speakers, including those offering sermons in Urdu, Malayalam, Tamil, and English, and arranged live interpretation of the Eid sermon for the hearing-impaired at Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal Mosque in the Al Jazat area. The department stated the Eid prayer timings as follows: Sharjah City and Al Hamriyah: 5:44 AM Al Dhaid and Al Bataeh: 5:42 AM Al Madam and Mleiha: 5:43 AM Eastern Region: 5:41 AM Abdullah Khalifa Ya'rouf Al Suwaidi, Chairman of SIA, noted that the department is organising a series of lessons and lectures in the emirate's mosques on the virtues of the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah, the rulings and conditions of sacrifice, and Eid traditions. These activities are part of SIA's awareness programme, aimed at enhancing religious knowledge among the emirate's diverse communities. The full list of mosques and prayer areas, along with the names of imams, can be accessed via this official link .
