Latest news with #MILA
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
Broadcast Pro
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
White Oryx Short Film Festival opens submissions for 2025 edition
The open call invites short films, documentaries, animations and music videos with a maximum runtime of 20 minutes. The White Oryx International Short Film Festival (WOIS Film Fest), an initiative of the Manipal Institute of Liberal Arts (MILA) at Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) – Dubai Campus, has announced its open call for submissions for the festival's fourth edition. Set to run from November 26 to 28, 2025, the event will be hosted at Dubai Knowledge Park and the MAHE Dubai campus in Dubai International Academic City. Now widely recognised as Dubai's short film event, WOIS Film Fest is a student-led initiative dedicated to celebrating short-form storytelling and amplifying emerging voices in cinema, particularly among students and amateur filmmakers from the UAE, GCC region and beyond. The three-day festival will showcase a diverse lineup of films that reflect the creativity, passion and cultural depth of their creators. In addition to curated screenings, the event serves as a vital platform for networking and community-building within the regional and international film community. This year, the festival has also partnered with Cininfo, a creative network of artists and filmmakers based in India. Submissions are open to short films, documentaries, animations and music videos, with a maximum runtime of 20 minutes. Eligible entries must have been completed after January 2024, be appropriate for general audiences, and include English subtitles if not in English. The competition is open free of charge to school and university students as well as independent filmmakers from across the GCC. The 2025 edition will present awards in four categories: Best Short Film – UAE, Best Short Film – UAE University, Best Short Film – UAE School and Best Short Film – GCC Shorts, which includes entries from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Winners will be honoured with the Golden Oryx Award, a mark of excellence in regional short-form filmmaking. Past winners have received filmmaking kits sponsored by Nikon MEA. Prof. Elsa Thomas, Chairperson of MILA and Festival Chairperson, said: 'At the Manipal Institute of Liberal Arts, we believe that storytelling has the power to shape perspectives, spark dialogue, and drive change. The White Oryx International Short Film Festival is not just a showcase of student talent, it is a movement that empowers young filmmakers to nurture original thought, explore bold ideas and fearless creativity, challenge norms, and share narratives that matter. Through this platform, we are proud to cultivate a new generation of creators who are not only technically skilled but also socially conscious and culturally rooted, all vital to the creative economy we aim to inspire through MILA.' More than a showcase of films, the WOIS Film Fest experience includes hands-on workshops, engaging panel discussions, and direct interactions with film and media professionals. With over 5,000 submissions received globally in previous editions, the festival continues to establish itself as a major creative outlet for young and independent filmmakers in the region. Submissions for the 2025 edition will remain open until July 31, 2025.
Web Release
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Web Release
White Oryx International Short Film Festival 2025 announces open call for entries
White Oryx International Short Film Festival (WOIS Film Fest), an initiative by the Manipal Institute of Liberal Arts (MILA), Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) – Dubai Campus, is proud to announce an open call for submissions to the fourth edition of the WOIS Film Fest, set to take place from November 26th to 28th, 2025 at Dubai Knowledge Park and MAHE Dubai campus in Dubai International Academic City. Regarded as the biggest short film event in Dubai, WOIS is a student-led platform that celebrates short-form storytelling and aims to spotlight emerging talent, especially student and amateur filmmakers, from the UAE, GCC, and beyond. Over three days of the fest, WOIS aims to showcase their passion for narratives and filmmaking, and to expose them to the myriad ways of storytelling from across the world through the fest's curated screenings. Finally, the fest provides a space for networking and connecting the filmmaking communities. On this front, we are partnered with Cininfo, an exclusive community of artists and creators based out of India. The open call invites short films, documentaries, animations, and music videos with a maximum runtime of 20 minutes. All entries must be completed after January 2024, be suitable for a general audience, and include English subtitles if the primary language is not English. Entry is free of charge and open to school and university students, as well as independent filmmakers from around the GCC. This year's competition will feature four award categories: Best Short Film – UAE, Best Short Film – UAE University, Best Short Film – UAE School, and Best Short Film – GCC Shorts (covering Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia). Winning entries receive the prestigious Golden Oryx Award. In previous editions, winners have received filmmaking kits sponsored by Nikon MEA. Prof. Elsa Thomas, Chairperson, Manipal Institute of Liberal Arts and Festival Chairperson, commented, 'At the Manipal Institute of Liberal Arts, we believe that storytelling has the power to shape perspectives, spark dialogue, and drive change. The White Oryx International Short Film Festival is not just a showcase of student talent, it is a movement that empowers young filmmakers to nurture original thought, explore bold ideas and fearless creativity, challenge norms, and share narratives that matter. Through this platform, we are proud to cultivate a new generation of creators who are not only technically skilled but also socially conscious and culturally rooted, all vital to the creative economy we aim to inspire through MILA.' The festival experience goes beyond screenings, offering workshops, panel discussions, and networking opportunities with professionals from the film and media industry. WOIS has previously attracted over 5,000 submissions globally and continues to grow as a prominent creative platform for student and indie filmmakers. Submissions are open until July 31, 2025, via FilmFreeway:
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Yahoo
Godfather of AI Alarmed as Advanced Systems Quickly Learning to Lie, Deceive, Blackmail and Hack
A key artificial intelligence pioneer is concerned by the technology's growing propensity to lie and deceive — and he's founding his own nonprofit to curb such behavior. In a blog post announcing LawZero, the new nonprofit venture, "AI godfather" Yoshua Bengio said that he has grown "deeply concerned" as AI models become ever more powerful and deceptive. "This organization has been created in response to evidence that today's frontier AI models have growing dangerous capabilities and [behaviors]," the world's most-cited computer scientist wrote, "including deception, cheating, lying, hacking, self-preservation, and more generally, goal misalignment." Of all people, Bengio would know. In 2018, the founder of the Montreal Institute for Learning Algorithms (MILA) was presented with a Turing Award alongside fellow AI pioneers Yann LeCun and Geoffrey Hinton for their formative roles in machine learning research, and he was listed as one of Time magazine's "100 Most Influential People" in 2024 thanks to his outsize impact on the ever-accelerating technology. Despite the accolades, Bengio has repeatedly expressed regret over his role in bringing advanced AI technology — and its Silicon Valley hype cycle — to fruition. This latest missive seems to be his most stark to date. "I'm deeply concerned," the AI pioneer wrote in his blog post, "by the behaviors that unrestrained agentic AI systems are already beginning to exhibit." Bengio pointed to recent red-teaming experiments, or tests that push AI models to their limits to see how they'll act, showing that advanced systems have developed an uncanny tendency to keep themselves "alive" by any means necessary. Among his examples was a recent report from Anthropic detailing how its Claude 4 model, when told it would be shut down, threatened to blackmail an engineer with incriminating emails if they followed through. "These incidents," the decorated researcher wrote, "are early warning signs of the kinds of unintended and potentially dangerous strategies AI may pursue if left unchecked." To put such behavior in check, Bengio said that his new nonprofit is building a so-called "trustworthy" model, which he calls "Scientist AI," that is "trained to understand, explain and predict, like a selfless idealized and platonic scientist." "Instead of an actor trained to imitate or please people (including sociopaths), imagine an AI that is trained like a psychologist — more generally a scientist — who tries to understand us, including what can harm us," he explained. "The psychologist can study a sociopath without acting like one." A pre-peer-review paper Bengio and his colleagues published earlier this year explains it a bit more simply. "This system is designed to explain the world from observations," the paper reads, "as opposed to taking actions in it to imitate or please humans." The concept of building "safe" AI is far from new, of course — it's quite literally why several OpenAI researchers left OpenAI and founded Anthropic as a rival research lab. This one seems to be different because, unlike Anthropic, OpenAI, or any other companies that pay lip service to AI safety while still bringing in gobs of cash, Bengio's is a nonprofit — though that hasn't stopped him from raising $30 million from the likes of ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt, among others. More on creepy AI: Advanced OpenAI Model Caught Sabotaging Code Intended to Shut It Down
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Greatest contract in ILA history': ILA gives stamp of approval
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) – After three days of dockworkers protesting at the picket lines in October fighting for higher wages, better benefits and limits on automation, the International Longshoreman's Association (ILA) and the U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX) have come to an agreement. A six-year agreement got the final stamp of approval Tuesday, with nearly 99% of ILA members voting in favor of the new master contract. WSAV spoke with president of Savannah's ILA Local 1414 Paul Mosley, and he said this is long overdue. 'I think with us mixing it up like we did with the strike, we went out to make a stand that we are here and we're not going anywhere,' Mosley said. 'And we realize that they are here, and they are not going anywhere. I think it has made our relationship better because it brought on a whole new different line of respect.' The contract includes a record breaking 62% pay increase over six years that would lift hourly wages at the top of the union pay scale from $39 an hour to $63 an hour. It also accelerates raises for new ILA workers. 'Throughout the pandemic, people were working from home to make sure that this United States had all the things they needed, that's a testament in itself, the type of hard work and resilience,' Mosley said. The association worries about machines, especially cranes, replacing workers. Union leader Harold Daggett said there is full automation protections. The contract allows ports to introduce new technology, but they have to hire new workers when they do. 'It wasn't machines that built America,' said Mosley. 'It was hard working men and women in this great United States that built America. So, when you look at life and you want to replace the very core of the backbone which built this country with the robot of these machines, I support President Dagget 110%. The members of this whole city in all three locals supported him in protecting our jobs. We are only trying to protect what is ours.' According to ILA's press release, the contract also includes full container royalty funds returned to the ILA, raises in contributions to money purchase plans, a strengthening of the International's health care plan called MILA and a resolution of the vacation and holiday dilemma' 'I think together we all will continue to do the hard work that has got this port to be the number one single operating container port in the United States and the fastest growing ports and the fastest growing in the United States,' Mosley said. 'There's a lot of hard work with a lot of challenges. The star in the sky is the limit for this great city of Savannah. I think the citizens of Savannah can rest at ease.' The contract will be effective through Sept. 30, 2030. They are set to formally sign on March 11, 2025. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
