UAE | Education
Many fear Ramadan and heat could take its toll on studies
When September rolls around this year students will have more to think about than going back to school. Ramadan is right around the corner, and students fear that academia coupled with fasting will take its toll.
- By Manal Ismail, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:42 August 21, 2008
- Students at the American University of Sharjah. There have been concerns this year that students may be too tired to study during Ramadan due to fatigue caused by waking early and fasting.
- Image Credit: Gulf News Archive
Dubai: When September rolls around this year students will have more to think about than going back to school. Ramadan is right around the corner, and students fear that academia coupled with fasting will take its toll.
Following reports that the start of the academic year might be delayed until after the end of Ramadan, students had high hopes. But these hopes were soon brought to an end when nothing changed.
Huma Jawed, a business student at the University of Wollongong in Dubai, commutes between Ajman and Knowledge Village every weekday. She claims the long journey will only add to the fatigue caused by early waking hours and fasting.
"The trip takes about two to three hours to and from university," she said. "Sure, the college hours decrease, but that doesn't affect our hunger and thirst. Don't they feel any pity for us commuting to classes in the scorching heat and having to concentrate, all while fasting?"
Many universities, however, have taken Ramadan into consideration when scheduling the fall semester. For example, at the American University of Sharjah (AUS) all courses end by 4pm, as do courses at Zayed University and the Higher Colleges of Technology.
According to Lynda Ataya, AUS registrar, this gives students an opportunity to use the gap between the end of classes and iftar for their needs - whether it's to prepare for iftar or get some rest.
Lighter workload
"If students continued going to classes around four or five in the afternoon, they could be mentally strained and tired - and the faculty would be as well," she said. "Then they'd have to rush back home and prepare for iftar, taking traffic and other factors into consideration."
Nevertheless, many students still feel they prefer Ramadan to coincide with the beginning of the academic year because of the lighter workload.
"When Ramadan would fall later in the year, it would be right when mid-term would kick off and projects would be due," said Ryan Hassan, a business student at the AUS.
"At the beginning of the year, the coursework is always less and that will make things easier."
Despite their concerns, students are still enthusiastic about going back to school.
Faisal Al Saffar, who graduated with a higher diploma at Dubai Men's College, is keen on pursuing his bachelor's degree in international business.
"I enjoy working hard and feeling a sense of accomplishment," he said. "And I always feel excited whenever I'm about to begin something new."
For Jawed, who attended summer classes while also taking driving lessons, going back to university won't be difficult.
"I've been doing it most of the summer so there won't be a big change," she said. "But the best thing about going back is reuniting with all your friends. That's what I'm looking forward to the most."
First day of classes
- Higher Colleges of Technology - August 31
- Zayed University - August 31
- American University in Dubai - September 1
- American University of Sharjah - August 24
- University of Wollongong in Dubai - September 7
- UAE University - August 26
Share this article
More from UAE Education
More from UAE
Popular in UAE
-
Your pictures
Readers' pictures
A Selection of the best Gulf News reader pictures this week
Latest news
- Arabian Horse Foundation honours Swayze
- Emirati students to be chosen for German internship
- Residency section clears 6,000 cases
- Residents opt for other gifts as gold soars
- UAE residents spend hours trying to cross into Oman
- Traditional theme at Etihad celebrations
- Dubai in for breezy conditions
- The true meaning of festival of sacrifice
- Maguindanao massacre victims remembered
- Rulers exchange Eid greetings
- Mohammad endorses Watani campaign
- Public urged to ensure food safety
- Plan to make you reach for the book
- The last strand could count in time
- Residents in celebratory mood during Eid
Community Reports
-
School buses must do safe drop-offs
Some bus drivers let students off at the wrong side of the road
-
Munching on a health hazard
Residents must be careful about consuming snacks and sandwiches prepared along the roadside as they attract dirt and bacteria
-
Faded signage fails to guide visitors
Reader seeks better upkeep of signboards in green areas
-
Noise pollution must be regulated
Residents are finding it difficult to sleep well at night owing to ongoing construction work
