Latest news with #MiddlesexUniversity
The Irish Sun
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
‘I'm a nerd', says Rosanna Davison as she takes on impressive new project and admits she ‘could have been a doctor'
ROSANNA Davison is the glam queen we've all followed for years – but now the Irish model is proving she's got brains to spare. The former Miss World recently added to her ever-growing CV as she knuckled down to secure a bachelor's degree in a science course. Advertisement 2 Rosanna Davison is studying to complete a science course 2 Rosanna posted snaps of herself studying for the degree on Instagram Taking to family got up. The mum-of-three posted a snap of her laptop screen showing she was doing a deep dive into a research article. The essay on the screen was titled 'Effect of erinacine A-enriched Hericium erinaceus supplementation on cognition: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study'. The 41-year-old captioned the snap: "Anyone else get up before their family to savour the peace and quiet? Bliss. Advertisement READ MORE IN ROSANNA DAVISON "It's also the only time I have at weekends to get any study done for my BSc degree - working on a Mycotherapy case study at the moment, which has been very interesting." The star previously admitted that her career could have gone in a whole other direction. She told "I did a degree in UCD in sociology and history of art, and following that, I was offered a PhD scholarship in sociological research from UCD. Advertisement Most read in Celebrity "If I had accepted it, I would be Dr Davison by now! I was flattered to have been offered it, but it wasn't the career direction I wanted to take." Rosanna also graduated from Middlesex University in Rosanna Davison shares 'beautiful' snaps from sun-soaked family holiday At the time, the model shared smiling snaps of herself proudly posing outside the university. The beauty queen donned a navy cap and gown and held her printed degree with pride. Advertisement She wrote: "Science & Technology Class of 2019! Very proud day graduating from my Master of Science degree in Personalised Nutrition." Hopefully fans will get to see the star in another cap and gown soon as she takes on her latest project - there's no stopping her!
Web Release
20-07-2025
- Business
- Web Release
Double Culture Films: The Eye of Luxury Through the Lens of Sofiane Atamna
Since 2021, Double Culture Films has established itself in Dubai as a refined and singular presence in the world of high-end visual production. Founded by Sofiane Abdi Atamna, a French-Algerian filmmaker with a passion for imagery and a degree in cinematography from Middlesex University in London, the company specializes in creating high-quality photographic and video content designed to elevate the identity of the world's most prestigious luxury brands. With a meticulous approach defined by precise framing, technical expertise, and artistic sensibility, Double Culture Films offers a unique vision—merging cinematic finesse with the strategic needs of premium visual communication. For nearly four years, Sofiane Abdi Atamna has maintained a close and ongoing collaboration with Christian Dior Couture. Built on mutual trust and a shared aesthetic sensitivity, this long-term relationship involves the regular creation of videos and photographs capturing the brand's key moments: exclusive events, collection unveilings, artistic installations, and immersive scenographies. Each project is treated with the utmost care, ensuring that the visuals reflect Dior's identity while highlighting every detail. This enduring partnership not only showcases the high standards of luxury but also underscores Double Culture Films' ability to consistently meet the demands of one of the most respected maisons in the world—with discretion, elegance, and professionalism. Another key area of expertise for Double Culture Films is the visual documentation of visual merchandising. While the agency does not design merchandising elements—such as luxury window displays, in-store installations, or curated product showcases—it captures them with a refined artistic eye. Whether for internal use (archiving, sharing, or concept validation) or external digital communication, every video and image is crafted to accurately convey the visual intent while enhancing the creativity and consistency of the brand message. Far from being simple records, these visual assets become powerful tools that extend the customer experience through structured and aesthetically polished formats. Over time, Double Culture Films has also been called upon to work with other globally renowned luxury houses, including Van Cleef & Arpels, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton. These one-off collaborations confirm the studio's recognized expertise in the fields of fashion and luxury. Every assignment is approached with the same commitment to detail—whether in terms of lighting, composition, or rhythm—and with full respect for the brand's visual universe. Rather than imposing a singular style, Sofiane Abdi Atamna adapts his artistic gaze to each brand's identity while leaving his subtle signature: a filmmaker's eye rooted in visual storytelling and emotional nuance. Today, Double Culture Films has earned a solid reputation among major luxury players in Dubai and beyond. Combining technical mastery, creative control, an understanding of luxury codes, and absolute discretion, the company has become a trusted partner—one capable of integrating seamlessly into the most demanding projects without ever compromising the brand's spirit. To discover their work, explore their visual universe, or get in touch, visit their official website:
Khaleej Times
02-07-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Dubai universities offer new degrees, scholarships to lure international students
Several leading universities in Dubai are stepping up efforts to help the emirate achieve its ambitious goal of having international students make up 50 per cent of total university enrolments by 2033. With continued investments in global education partnerships and progressive strategies, Dubai is rapidly establishing itself as a premier global hub for higher education, according to university leaders. Dr Cedwyn Fernandes, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Director, Middlesex University Dubai, said, "With over 6,300 students from more than 127 nationalities, we are already one of the most internationally diverse campuses in the region. The number of international students at Middlesex University Dubai is expected to cross 50 per cent of the total number of students in 2026." He added, 'We are expanding our footprint in high-potential global markets through targeted digital outreach, in-person roadshows, and strengthened education agent networks. We have announced the launch of a range of new highly innovative undergraduate and postgraduate programmes beginning in September 2025.' University officials noted that the new degree offerings have been designed in alignment with Dubai's D33 Economic Agenda, which focuses on enhancing the city's role as a global hub for talent, innovation, and economic growth. 'The University is expanding its MBA portfolio with a few new pathways: Artificial Intelligence and Business Analytics, Aviation Management, Hospitality and Events Management, Real Estate, and Sustainability,' Fernandes explained. Policies such as the introduction of longer-term student visas, post-study work options, and access to the UAE Golden Visa are also seen as key enablers, matching the expectations of a globally mobile student population. At the University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD), the momentum is already evident. UOWD President, Professor Mohamed Salem, said, 'UOWD, the largest QS Top 200 ranked university in Dubai, is firmly on track. In 2024, 55 per cent of new enrolments came from students already in the UAE, while 45 per cent were sourced via agents and direct overseas applications. UOWD rolled out since then enhanced international recruitment strategies tailored to key regions and early indicators for 2025 show strong momentum. If this trend continues, we expect UOWD to reach the 50 per cent international enrolment benchmark well ahead of the 2033 target.' Canadian University Dubai (CUD) is also expanding its global footprint through international partnerships. Dr Adam Fenech, Provost, CUD said, 'We are expanding academic partnerships with Canadian top-tier universities to create dual degrees, exchange programs, and academic bridge pathways. These partnerships offer students both the opportunity to begin their studies in Dubai and complete them abroad or vice versa offering flexibility and global exposure.' He added that expanding scholarship opportunities remains a priority. 'We are actively enhancing our scholarship portfolio to recognize academic excellence, leadership potential, and global diversity. This includes increasing the number of merit-based scholarships, launching targeted regional awards, and introducing new scholarships for programs aligned with Dubai's future economy, such as sustainability, artificial intelligence, and entrepreneurship.' BITS Pilani Dubai Campus, one of the oldest Indian universities in the emirate, is also placing emphasis on affordability and access. Prof. Swarnalatha Rajaguru, Associate Dean, Admissions and Marketing, said, 'We understand that cost can be a key factor for international students, so we're expanding our scholarship programs to recognize talent from across the globe. We want to support bright, motivated students—whether they excel academically, lead in their communities, or bring unique perspectives to our campus. These scholarships are part of our broader effort to make our university more accessible to top talent.'
Khaleej Times
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
'Rare portal into UAE's past': Student films 1,800-year-old Ras Al Khaimah tribe
Twenty-two-year-old Dubai-based film student Ali Fuad filmed a documentary uncovering the untold story of the Al Shehhi tribe—a resilient Emirati community living in Ras Al Khaimah's mountains for over 1,800 years. His film highlights the tribe's unique language, traditions, and way of life, much of which has yet to be recorded in Emirati history. Titled 'Echoes of Our Land', Fuad's documentary won the best audience award at Middlesex University Dubai's Premier de MDX screening. 'The Al Shehhi have preserved their heritage for centuries, including a dialect completely distinct from other Emirati dialects. But few people in the UAE even know about them,' Fuad told Khaleej Times, adding: 'I felt a responsibility to share their story with the world.' His documentary started as a final-year project in the film-making class under senior lecturer Deema Maghalseh. A brainstorming session led Fuad to the Al Shehhi people, and with Maghalseh's support, Fuad spent months conducting immersive research and production work in the mountains of Ras Al Khaimah. One of the biggest challenges was the lack of visual and written documentation, Fuad noted, explaining: 'There were very few films or visual records available, and even written sources were limited.' 'To overcome this, I had to personally visit these areas, meet the people, and learn directly from them. I relied heavily on the elders, who generously shared stories and cultural knowledge passed down through generations,' he added. Supported by a grant from the Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research, Fuad's film evolved from a class assignment into a full-fledged documentary that blends raw ethnography with cinematic storytelling. 'I lived with them' Fuad, who is also a hiker and adventurer, lived alongside the tribe during production, observing their daily lives to ensure an authentic portrayal. 'I didn't want to just observe from the outside,' he said. 'I lived with them, helped herd sheep, shared meals, and listened to the elders. That's how I gained their trust.' The film's production pushed the team physically and creatively. Fuad shared: 'One of the filming sites was a mountain village that required a four-hour hike to reach. It was physically demanding and tested the entire crew's endurance. But if there's one thing I learned during my time at university, it was to push beyond my comfort zone in order to tell stories that matter.' The crew, composed of fellow students, including producer Naiem Ayman and director of photography Hayden Diaz, formed a close-knit unit that bonded through shared challenges. 'What started as a second-year assignment became a movement of self-discovery,' said Maghalseh of Echoes of Our Land. '(Fuad) didn't treat this like a school project. He treated it like a calling.' Guardians of the rugged mountains According to Fuad, the Al Shehhi tribe holds a unique place in the UAE's cultural and historical tapestry. 'For centuries, they have stood as the guardians of the rugged mountain regions of Ras Al Khaimah, their way of life shaped by the harsh terrain and unforgiving climate. The mountains forged a people marked by resilience, strength, and deep-rooted traditions that remain distinct from other regions in the UAE.' Life in the mountains was incredibly demanding. With no roads or vehicles, everything was done on foot. Water was scarce, food was hard-won, and survival depended on herding sheep and goats, grinding wheat, and sustaining their community with unwavering determination. The people cultivated wheat in the early winter, patiently waiting for harvest season to make traditional bread like khubz and dishes such as Aseed, along with beloved Emirati sweets like luqaimat. Since machinery was unavailable, they ground the wheat by hand using the Riha (millstone), rhythmically chanting Tahweed to stay motivated — a musical tradition passed down through generations. The tribe's cultural expressions, including their unique dialect and war chants like Nabdah, set them apart. These were not just songs but stirring cries meant to show strength and unity in the face of enemies. Even today, the few remaining members of the tribe who still live in the mountains, greet each other with the Nabdah. Women played a central role not just at home but also in the community's survival. They tended to livestock, fetched food and water, and crafted everyday items by hand. Palm fronds were woven into utensils and roofing materials that provided natural ventilation, essential during the scorching summer months. Fuad said: 'What makes the Al Shehhi tribe's story even more remarkable is how much of their heritage has been preserved through time. Spending time with them is like stepping into a living museum — a rare and vivid portal into the UAE's past, where every song, every craft, and every tradition speaks to a legacy of strength, adaptation, and enduring cultural pride.' Untold Emirati stories The project has already sparked momentum for a full documentary series focused on UAE heritage, expanding the university's impact in cultural storytelling. Fuad now plans to continue exploring untold Emirati stories, from desert communities to the coastal traditions of pearl divers. 'There's so much more to the UAE than skyscrapers. Our country is filled with rich, diverse stories that the world hasn't seen,' Fuad explained. 'I want to be part of the generation that documents them before they fade away.' Asked about the most touching moment during filming, Fuad recalled a conversation with one of the tribe's elders. 'He told me, 'Now I have something to show my children and grandchildren.' That moment hit me deeply — that this wasn't just my story, it was theirs.' 'These past three years didn't just prepare me — they launched me. I've learned to tell stories that matter, and now I'm ready to take them to the world.' Fuad also has this advice: 'Be authentic. Start with the stories that move you. Talk to your grandparents and neighbours. The most powerful stories are often right in front of you — waiting to be told.'
Indian Express
21-06-2025
- Indian Express
On board AI 171: Proud parents headed to the UK to attend convocations
Thrilled that they would be part of her convocation ceremony on June 23, Dhwani Patel couldn't wait to see her parents — and the graduation dress they had picked out for her — in London. Rajni Patel (51) and his wife, Divyaben (47), from Gujarat's Vasad town, had also packed local snacks, new shoes and a watch to surprise the 21-year-old. Travelling with them was Dhwani's aunt, Hemangi Patel (57). 'They had scheduled a flight for June 20 but advanced it to June 16, and finally to June 12, as they wanted to spend more time with me since I was to sit for placements after my convocation. This was the first time someone from our family was attending a convocation abroad. I told them to stay with me for some days as the weather is usually good in London,' Dhwani told The Indian Express. The family found itself on the Air India flight that crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, killing all but one on board. A student of business management from Middlesex University in London, Dhwani rushed back home but could only reach on June 14. 'Due to the Israel-Iran conflict, my flight was redirected to Austria, then Milan and then back to the UK. I took a new flight and reached on June 14,' she said. 'They had packed everything Dhwani likes… They hoped to stay with her for some days before she started working,' said her 31-year-old cousin Parth Patel, whose mother Hemangi died in the crash. On board the flight were several such proud parents who were heading to the UK to attend their children's convocation. Two others who lost parents to the Dreamliner crash are Ahmedabad's Pratham Nanda (22), who was graduating from Nottingham Trent University, and Gracy Sagparia from Rajkot, who was graduating from the University for the Creative Arts, Epsom. Like Dhwani's parents, they too had rescheduled their travel plans. Pratham is grieving the loss not just of his parents but of his younger brother, Prayash (18), too. Apart from attending Pratham's convocation, the parents – founder of Cargo Motors Group Pramukh Pravesh Nanda and his wife Neha – thought they would also shortlist universities for Prayash. An undergraduate student of business management and entrepreneurship, Pratham was waiting for his family to attend his convocation on June 16. 'Prayash, who had just completed his Class XII, also wanted to study abroad, so the family thought it would be a good opportunity to look for universities. They were to visit two-three universities before finalising one,' Pramukh's younger brother Pranav told The Indian Express. Pramukh was a key figure in Gujarat's automobile and transport sectors and was well-known in the state's business circles. The bodies were cremated on June 17 after the mortal remains were handed over following DNA sample reports. Pratham reached Mumbai on June 13 morning, from where he travelled by road to Ahmedabad. According to Pranav, the family was to leave on June 9 so they could get more time before the convocation. 'But since our father was not well and had to be hospitalised, they delayed the tickets to June 12. The same day (of the crash), my father was discharged from the hospital in Ahmedabad,' Pranav said. Pratham says he plans to join and lead his family's car dealership business, which was founded in 1959 and has operations in Delhi, Gujarat, Punjab and Rajasthan. Gracy, who had wrapped up a four-year course in fashion design, recalled, 'My father was not too happy to travel alone as my mother's visa got cancelled just three days before June 12. I pushed him to continue his trip as he would not be able to witness this occasion again. He was coming to London just for me.' Narsinhbhai Sagpariya, 63, a resident of Kalavad Road in Rajkot and a well-known architect, had booked the tickets for June 12 after several changes in the plan. 'I wanted my parents to plan the trip days ahead of the convocation since I wanted them to explore London and other places. This would have been their first foreign trip,' she said.
