Latest news with #LiberalArts
Tom's Guide
08-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
5 movies like 'My Oxford Year' but better
Romantic drama "My Oxford Year" might not have quite managed to oust "K-Pop Demon Hunters" as the Netflix movie of the moment, but the new movie has nevertheless proven to be another popular addition to the streaming service. The movie landed on August 1 and has continued to hold onto a spot high in the Netflix top 10 (it's currently sitting in third place, behind the aforementioned animated hit and "Happy Gilmore 2"). That's particularly impressive, given the Sofia Carson-led romance hasn't exactly earned a glowing reception (it's 31% on Rotten Tomatoes) and, in my opinion, feels like little more than a throwaway Netflix watch. If you've already streamed the movie (or you've dodged it because of the reviews), here are five movies like "My Oxford Year" that we think are a little more deserving of your precious viewing time. Richard Curtis' "About Time" puts a sci-fi spin on the typical romantic setup and sees Tim (Domhnall Gleeson) learning from his father that the men in his family can travel through time. While he can't use this power to change history, Tim decides to use this ability to try and improve his life, which is what eventually brings him to Mary (Rachel McAdams). Across this venture, Tim learns that there are things he cannot change or fix, and he has to learn to appreciate life as it is. It's sincere, relatable stuff. Buy/rent 'About Time' on Prime Video now Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. "Liberal Arts" is a 2012 comedy-drama written, directed by, and starring "How I Met Your Mother" lead, Josh Radnor, and it could be a worthy watch if you're looking for another college-set drama. Radnor stars as Jesse Fisher, a 35-year-old college admissions officer based in NYC who finds himself dissatisfied with his life and pining for his college years back in Ohio. When he's invited back to attend his old English professor's retirement ceremony, he sparks a connection with a much younger college student (Elizabeth Olsen). Watch "Liberal Arts" on Prime Video (with an AMC+ subscription) now Thea Sharrock's "Me Before You" is a strong follow-up watch to "My Oxford Year. It's an adaptation of Jojo Moyes' novel of the same name, and follows Lou Clark ("Game of Thrones" star Emilia Clarke) as she's hired as a carer for Will Traynor (Sam Claflin), who is navigating living with disability after an accident. Will is initially standoffish, but the two grow closer as Lou tries to lift his spirits. The movie drew criticism for the clumsy treatment of its central themes, but won praise for the chemistry between its two leads. Watch 'Me Before You' on Prime Video now "My Oxford Year" isn't Sofia Carson's only Netflix movie. Alongside "My Oxford Year," Carson's also starred in "Purple Hearts", "Carry-On" and Adam Brooks' "The Life List." In this Netflix romance, we follow Alex (Carson). At the request of her late mother, Alex begins working through her teenage bucket list and sets out to realize her old ambitions — and finds love in the process. Granted, "The Life List" isn't a critical darling, either: it's sitting at a marginally higher Rotten Tomatoesscore (it's currently rated at 46%, compared to "My Oxford Year's" 31% rating). That doesn't exactly put "The Life List" in must-watch territory, but if you'd like to watch another Sofia Carson romantic movie, this is the one I'd pick. Watch 'The Life List' on Netflix now I've loved 'We Live in Time' since I saw it for the very first time at last year's London Film Festival, and I'm confident anyone who enjoyed the drama in 'My Oxford Year' will be utterly moved by this powerful watch. John Crowley's romantic drama charts the relationship between cereal representative Tobias Durand (Andrew Garfield) and figure skater-turned-chef, Almut Brühl (Florence Pugh), across the course of a decade. Opting to tell that story non-chronologically, it offers snapshots from their time together, capturing the giddy highs (and devastating lows) of life and love along the way. It's emotional, Garfield and Pugh make for a perfect on-screen pair, and it's sure to move many viewers to tears. If you can get on board with the non-linear structure, I think you'll fall for its charms; it might be my favorite recommendation on this whole list. Watch "We Live in Time" on HBO Max now Not seeing anything you like the look of? Be sure to check out our round-up of the best movies on Netflix for tons more streaming recommendations perfect for your next movie night. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
New York Times
02-08-2025
- Politics
- New York Times
The Future of Liberal Arts Education
To the Editor: Re 'The Liberal Arts Can Thrive,' by Jennifer Frey (Opinion guest essay, July 18): The administrative decisions Dr. Frey recounts at her former institution are unfortunate and shortsighted but not universal. Students searching for educational rigor, deep academic engagement and intellectual life in a community are welcomed and celebrated at our nation's small liberal arts colleges. Counter to stereotype, such colleges are committed to educating students across the income spectrum, offering financial aid that often makes them more affordable than public universities. My own path to a college presidency started at a small liberal arts college, with my education made possible by leaders who, even in times of economic challenge or uncertainty, continued to invest in a model proven to change life trajectories. Wendy CadgeBryn Mawr, writer is the president of Bryn Mawr College. To the Editor: Jennifer Frey's commentary about the University of Tulsa's Honors College exemplifies troubling academic myopia: allowing personal investment to eclipse rigorous analysis. Her article describes a 'blossoming' honors college but omits any basic effectiveness analysis. What were the actual enrollment numbers? How many National Merit Scholars were required to enroll? How many withdrew? How big a staff did this require? More important, Dr. Frey's characterization of the current administration as one that doesn't value liberal arts is wrong. The board merely took necessary steps to correct the university's course. The University of Tulsa's current provost is a proven defender of liberal arts, and the school is ensuring that liberal education is available to all students. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Zawya
31-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Manipal Academy of Higher Education Dubai campus launches forward-thinking BA (Honours) Liberal Arts Program
Dubai, UAE – Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) Dubai proudly announces the launch of its groundbreaking BA (Honours) Liberal Arts program at the Manipal Institute of Liberal Arts (MILA), responding to evolving global workforce demands and reinforcing Dubai's position as a premier international education hub. This innovative program, with admissions open for September 2025, marks a strategic advancement in higher education for the region. The BA (Honours) Liberal Arts program introduces a flexible major-minor framework designed to meet the World Economic Forum's 2025 Future of Jobs report findings, which reveals that 39% of current skills will become obsolete by 2030, while analytical thinking is considered essential by 70% of employers. The program begins with a comprehensive liberal arts foundation year emphasizing independent critical thinking and interdisciplinary learning, followed by three specialized pathways from the second year: the Explorer option (1 Major + 1 Minor), the Innovator pathway (1 Major + 2 Minors), and the Consolidator track (2 Majors). Current academic offerings include majors in Sociology, English, Psychology, Mass Communication, and Filmmaking, with minors in Gender Studies, Journalism, Geopolitics, Arabic, and French. Students engage in extra-disciplinary coursework each semester covering digital literacy, public policy, and creativity, while high-performing students can pursue a fourth-year Honours research track leading to original knowledge creation. "This innovative Liberal Arts program represents our commitment to preparing graduates for the future of work," said Prof. Elsa Ashish Thomas, Chairperson of the Manipal Institute of Liberal Arts at MAHE Dubai campus. "As the World Economic Forum emphasizes analytical thinking, creativity, and adaptability as the most sought-after skills, our program uniquely positions students to thrive in an economy where 78 million new jobs are expected to be created by 2030, while traditional roles are being transformed by technological advancement." The program launches against the backdrop of unprecedented growth in Dubai's higher education sector, with student enrollment surging by 20% in the 2024-25 academic year to reach a record 42,026 students across 41 institutions. International student numbers have jumped 29% and now represent 35% of the total student body, reflecting Dubai's emergence as a global education hub. The city targets 50% international student enrollment by 2033 under the Education 33 strategy. The liberal arts program directly addresses employment market trends, with recent Federal Reserve data revealing art history graduates experiencing just 3% unemployment, while philosophy majors face 3.2% unemployment, significantly outperforming many STEM fields. The four-year Honours structure allows students to develop expertise across multiple disciplines while maintaining depth in their chosen specializations, with an optional 8-week internship between Semesters 4 and 5 providing valuable real-world experience. The curriculum prepares graduates for careers in media, publishing, and content creation; social development and policy research; HR, PR, and corporate communication; academic research and postgraduate study; and counselling and applied psychology. The World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025 identifies analytical thinking, technological literacy, creative problem-solving, and adaptability as key skills, all of which are core outcomes of liberal arts education. The program's design directly responds to the World Economic Forum's identification of critical business skills for 2025–2030, including analytical thinking (considered essential by 69% of employers), creative problem-solving (a key skill with 57% of employers recognizing its importance), and strategic communication (ranked as the most in-demand skill across industries) - competencies that are fundamentally strengthened through the interdisciplinary nature of liberal arts education. MAHE Dubai Campus has recently been licensed by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and is currently undergoing CAA accreditation. These developments come at a time when interdisciplinary learning is increasingly being recognised as a key pillar of modern higher education. The program builds on MAHE Dubai's longstanding emphasis on strong faculty mentorship and academic freedom, evolving these strengths into a curriculum that is interdisciplinary, globally aligned, and future-focused. With its flexible structure, industry connections, and commitment to academic excellence, the BA (Honours) Liberal Arts program sets a new benchmark for liberal arts education in the Middle East. For more information about the BA (Honours) Liberal Arts program and admissions, visit or contact the admissions office at MAHE Dubai campus. About Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) Dubai Campus - Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Dubai Campus, is a globally recognized institution dedicated to academic excellence, research, and innovation. Licensed by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHESR) and awarded a 5-star rating by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), MAHE Dubai offers a world-class learning environment designed to prepare students for success in a dynamic global landscape. Established in 2000 as the first international branch campus of MAHE, India's largest private university, the Dubai campus is home to over 2,600 students from 50+ nationalities and supported by a distinguished faculty of 150+. The university offers 50+ programs across disciplines such as Engineering, IT, Business, Design, Architecture, Life Sciences, Biotechnology, Media, and Psychology. Located in Dubai International Academic City, the 750,000 sq. ft. campus features advanced laboratories, specialized studios, innovation hubs, and vibrant student life facilities — fostering academic, creative, and personal growth. Learn more: Media Contacts: Chandni Chugh Wallis PR
Hamilton Spectator
22-07-2025
- Health
- Hamilton Spectator
My boyfriend and I have been together since I was 15. I love this man, but he's totally let himself go. He smokes pot, doesn't shower and eats chips. Should I worry? Ask Lisi
Q My boyfriend and I have been together for nine years; we met when I was 15 and he was 16. I know we're still young, but we clearly are planning on spending the rest of our lives together. He's finished his undergrad degree in business management and is joining in the family business. I'm not sure exactly what I want to do, but I have a Liberal Arts degree and went to esthetician's college. We now live together, in an apartment, and we recently got a dog. I love this man and want to be with him forever. My only issue is that he has let himself go, physically. He doesn't always shower in the morning, when he should, because he sweats at night profusely. He smokes pot every night and munches down on anything he can find, such as chips, cookies, leftovers …. literally anything. And he has stopped going for his daily runs. I'm concerned for his physical health, but I'm also concerned for his mental health. He's too young to be letting himself go like this. Should I be worried? Not the same person A Yes, you should be concerned but, it's HOW you voice your concern that will make all the difference as to how he REACTS to you. Belittling him, making rude comments and nagging — none of this will work in your favour. Here are some hopefully positive ideas: • If you live together, you can stock your home with healthy food. • A new dog needs to be walked several times daily. If you share the dog, then you share the responsibility of walking that dog. 'Forcing' him to walk is a soft start to his return to running. And of course, talk to him and tell him how you feel, your worries about his health and ask him how you can support him to be a healthier person. Hopefully, he'll hear you and something will click. Q My wife is my opposite, and I'm not sure what to do. She's anxious where I am carefree; she's scared where I am thrilled; she's introverted where I am extroverted. I feel as though anything I want to do, she doesn't for a variety of reasons. We have money. I make a very good living. I bought her a beautiful home and made it even more beautiful. I wanted to put in a pool, but she refused on the basis that it was dangerous for the children and the dogs. We have two golden retrievers who LOVE the water and two daughters in their 20s who are both very strong swimmers. Her fears are unfounded. I gave up my dream of a pool and bought a cottage instead. She balked. I redid the cottage, and it's the most wonderful place on earth. She slowly came around and now comes up often. But she won't go in the river; she cried when I bought a boat, saying it was dangerous. She has never left the top deck of the house to come down to the dock. What is wrong with her and how can I continue like this? Afraid of EVERYTHING A Your wife does sound as though she has many, many deep-seated fears. It would behoove her to get professional help to understand what causes these fears — but for her own benefit. Not for you. She doesn't have to change. You two just need to accept each other's differences, decide whether you still love each other and figure out if you can continue to live together. For example, she doesn't have to come on the boat, but she needs to allow you to enjoy it. And you could spend some time on the deck with her. You may find it relaxing. FEEDBACK Regarding living with teenagers (April 30): Reader : 'Forty years ago, when my daughter was a teenager, I was given a piece of advice that made all the difference in the world. 'It was simply this: 'When dealing with a teenager, ignore the tone; respond only to the words.' This has been my lifeline, and I hope it helps anyone and everyone.' FEEDBACK Regarding gutted (May 1): Reader: 'Unless her relationship with her first love ended very badly or his parents openly disliked her, 'Gutted' should send them a note. It means the world to bereaved people when someone from their long-ago past reaches out to let them know how much their loved one was appreciated. And I can attest from several personal experiences that it really doesn't matter how many years have gone by since the death.' Lisi: I agree. When people are grieving, hearing from others lovingly about their loved one is very heartwarming.
The Star
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Celebrating academic excellence
Prof Mohd Shukri (centre) posing with recipients of the Chancellor Gold Medal Award, President's Award and Mohd Shukri Yajid Outstanding Award. Almost 2,000 graduands receive scrolls at varsity's 35th convocation in Shah Alam THE 35th convocation ceremony of Management and Science University (MSU) witnessed the conferment of degrees and diplomas to 1,974 graduates, representing 126 academic programmes. The convocation saw 47 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) graduates, 64 Master's degree holders, 887 Bachelor's degree recipients and 976 Diploma holders. The Faculty of Information Sciences and Engineering (FISE) stood out for offering the highest number of programmes at 27, while the Faculty of Business Management and Professional Studies (FBMP) produced the largest graduating cohort, comprising 509 graduates. This year also marked the graduation of inaugural cohorts from three newly introduced programmes: Master in Counselling and Guidance, Master in Early Childhood Education and Bachelor in Liberal Arts (Hons). Presiding over the ceremony was Raja Muda of Kedah and MSU chancellor Tengku Sarafudin Badlishah Sultan Sallehuddin. Also in attendance were MSU president and founder Prof Tan Sri Dr Mohd Shukri Ab Yajid, vice-chancellor Prof Puan Sri Dr Junainah Abd Hamid, members of the university board and senior management. Five special excellence award categories were presented to 49 graduates. Sponsored by MSU Foundation, recipients received plaques, cash prizes and scholarships for postgraduate studies at MSU. They included Chancellor's Gold Medal winner Amelia Shafinaz Azmi Faez who graduated with a Bachelor in Liberal Arts (Hons); President's Award recipients Putri Ely Qistina Shariff who pursued a Bachelor in International Business (Hons) and Hana Nabilah Mustafa Kamal who graduated with Diploma in Graphic Design. The Mohd Shukri Yajid Outstanding Award went to Jesuvan Raj Paul, a Bachelor in Music Technology (Hons) graduand. A total of 26 Academic Awards and 19 Industry Awards were also given out. In a media statement, MSU said its collaboration with more than 2,000 industry partners, notably through its University Industry Advisory Panel (UIAP), has ensured the delivery of industry-relevant academic programmes. According to the 2024 Graduate Tracer Study by Higher Education Ministry, MSU recorded a graduate employability rate of 99%, with a graduate marketability rate of 99.7% – among the highest in the nation. This achievement is reinforced by recognition from Talentbank which named MSU the Employers' Choice of University 2025, as per the National Graduate Employability Index. This year marked the debut of the university in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, where it placed within the 801–1,000 band. It ranked 580th in QS World University Rankings 2025. The university also excelled in QS World University Rankings by subject in 2025, achieving top marks in Hospitality & Leisure Management where it ranked at 36th globally and second in Malaysia. It also placed the university's Art & Design within 51–100 globally and first in Malaysia while Business & Management Studies ranked 250th globally and fifth in Malaysia. MSU's Computer Science & Information Systems was ranked in 701–750 band globally and 20th in Malaysia while Medicine placed within 701–850 globally and 20th in Malaysia. Internationalisation efforts continue to be a pillar of MSU with Global Mobility Programme and Global Leadership Programme empowering students to develop skills in line with the university's motto: 'Transforming Lives, Enriching Future'. These initiatives are supported by the Scholarship for Mobility and International Learning Experiences, offered through MSU Foundation. MSU said it also maintains active collaborations with over 350 partner universities worldwide.
