Inside Zayed University’s ‘collective care’ model: Supporting college students through distance learning in UAE

Dubai: When universities across the UAE moved classes online or went hybrid, the challenge wasn’t just academic continuity, it was keeping thousands of students emotionally steady through an uncertain time.

At Zayed University, Assistant Provost for Student Affairs Jane Tatterton says the solution is something simple but powerful: “collective care.”

Speaking to Gulf News as part of the United in Strength series, she said that while distance learning can be rolled out quickly, ensuring students feel supported, connected and heard is the real test for universities.

“Universities are quite adept at moving to distance learning,” she said.

“But my role focuses on the welfare and wellbeing of students. This is a challenging time, and many of them have never experienced anything like this before. It’s really about collective care: students, faculty and staff coming together as a community.”

Supporting 11,000 students

As a federal institution with nearly 11,000 students, Zayed University has now activated a broad support system to help students navigate the shift.

Even a dedicated support for students of determination have become vital resources during this time.

“We make sure students have clear communication and that we check in regularly, particularly those who may be vulnerable or facing physical or mental challenges,” she said.

The university has also paid special attention to international students, many of whom are far from home.

“They don’t always have the family support that some of our local students might have here,” Tatterton explained.

“So we’ve created international student support groups where they can speak with counsellors and coaches and support each other.”

‘This is temporary’

For students anxious about missing out on the traditional campus experience, Tatterton offered reassurance.

“This is a temporary situation,” she said.

“We will return to campus and the full student experience will come back. The important thing now is to stay calm and take small steps forward.”

She also urged students to ease the pressure they place on themselves during uncertain times.

“Sometimes we all have very high expectations, especially when we’re juggling different roles. It’s important to be realistic about what we can achieve right now.”

Preparing students for the future

Despite the disruption, Tatterton believes today’s students may actually be better prepared for the workforce than previous generations.

With a background in career counselling, she noted that Zayed University encourages students to start building professional skills from their first year, through internships, industry exposure and coaching.

“Students don’t wait until the final year anymore,” she said.

“By the time they graduate, they already have experience and skills that make the transition to employment much smoother.”

The university also runs a coaching initiative designed to help students build essential life skills such as communication, teamwork and adaptability, qualities that are proving invaluable in times of uncertainty.

The UAE spirit

For Tatterton, the current moment has also highlighted something unique about life in the UAE.

“There’s a real sense of community here,” she said. “Whether you’re an expatriate or a national, people come together during times of uncertainty.”

She added that the university itself reflects the values championed by the   late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the nation’s Founding Father.

“Unity, active listening and supporting one another, those values are very much part of the university culture.”

‘No one is alone’

After more than 30 years in education, Tatterton says the most important lesson she shares with students is simple: asking for help is not a weakness.

“No one has all the answers all the time,” she said.

“But it’s knowing where to find those answers and who to reach out to.”

In fact, she views the students she supports almost as family.

“I always tell parents that I have over 10,000 children,” she said with a smile.

“That’s how I see our students. We support them the way we would support our own.”

And in uncertain times, that sense of belonging may be the most powerful lesson of all.

Quick facts for college students as they navigate

1. Maintaining everyday routines

   • Keep some structure even while reverting to remote work and schooling.

   • Give children clear information and continuous reassurance.

2. Student welfare as a priority

   • Holistic development of students is central to everything we do.

   • Ensure clear communication and access to all relevant services online.

   • Provide specialised support: Counselling, Coaching, Accessibility.

   • Conduct direct check-ins with vulnerable students.

   • Offer support groups, especially for international students far from family.

3. Unity in the UAE

   • Shared identity between nationals and expats creates a powerful, unifying force.

   • Strong, visible, and trusted leadership promotes calm and collective responsibility.

   • Messaging like “We are all Emirati” shifts the narrative from “Expats vs Nationals” to “Us.”

4. Acknowledging diverse responses

   • Everyone handles challenges differently; allow time to pause and reflect.

   • Acts of empathy and quiet check-ins can mean a lot in difficult times.

5. Advice for navigating uncertainty

   • Remember: this phase is temporary.

   • Move forward in small steps and set realistic expectations.

   • Celebrate small wins — even just getting through the day.

   • PrioritiSe wellbeing and don’t be afraid to ask for support; this is real strength.