Dear Colleagues,
Welcome to issue #18 of KICconnect.
 
Congratulations on a successful year 2019-20. We have surely gone through many things in a triumphant way. The COVID-19 situation is not over yet and so much more is expected in the days to come. The World stands now at 14,674,722 infected people, 609,619 people dead and 8,759,094 people recovered. The good news is that the figures of infected people in the UAE have gone down reaching 211 on July 19. I wish you all and your families the best of health.
 
Congratulations to our students who have completed and passed their Summer I exams. Also, welcome to all our students who decided to take Summer II which is already in its second week. Surely, a big welcome to our new students who joined the KIC family in Summer II.
 
In July 2020, the Ministry of Education issued a plan for the reopening of schools and higher education institutions in the UAE starting in September 2020. The document issued cover five main areas including: 1- plan for testing all students, staff, and faculty for COVID-19; 2- guidelines for the return of students, staff and faculty; 3- Procedures for responding and dealing with COVID-19 cases when discovered in the academic institution; 4- UAE students studying in internationally; 5- Quick measures handbook for avoiding COVID-19. These are important guidelines that we have been waiting for. This will help us plan for the start of the next academic year in September.
 
Finally, I would like to wish you all a blessed time in these days as we approach Eid-al-Adha. I also wish you all a relaxing holiday with your family and loved ones.
 
Thank you and Stay Safe.

KIC conducted a two-day workshop aiming to prepare the community for IELTS exam.

Spanning over four hours, the workshop encompassed tips and advices that would maximize performance during IELTS. The topics covered ways to overcome the common challenges of the listening, speaking, reading, and writing sections of the exam and techniques that enable better performance. Common concerns were also addressed in an interactive format.

The session also introduced gamified quizzes. Participants had the chance to test their knowledge and newly gained skills, and win prizes.

The workshop was conducted within the scope of KIC Smart Platform. It attracted more than 90 participants and was positively received.

Click here to learn more about KIC Smart Platform.

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"We have lift-off. H2A, the rocket carrying the Hope Probe to space, has launched from the Tanegashima Space Centre in Japan" tweeted Hope Mars Mission up the take-off, marking a historical leap for the United Arab Emirates.

Being the first of the three international missions to the Red Planet this summer, the UAE successfully launched its Mars-bound Hope Probe; the Arab world's first interplanetary mission. A mission that culminates all steps and efforts the humankind has made in its effort to explore the deep space. The launch is yet another step but this time it is special.

It is special because this time it is a tribute to Arabs and the Arab world. It is a tribute to 400 million Arabs in the world. It is also a tribute to the Arab history, more specifically to the Islamic Golden Age, which is traditionally dated from the 8th century to the 14th century when most prominent inventions and significant contributions in numerous fields were made.

What are you most curious about in life?    
There are many things that drive me curious. One of the most fascinating things is cultures. Cultural differences within individuals and associated places make them unique and tell a lot about their history and being.

What are the failures that you most cherish?  
After completing masters, I choose to work instead of pursuing PhD. I wasn’t sure if it was ok to postpone my studies. However, with the work experience accumulated over the years, I stand a better candidate for the PhD now than ever before.  And also learning is a never-ending process and I’II get back to the PhD soon.

If you could go back five years, what advice would you give your younger self? 
I would tell her that although procrastination is very tempting, it's definitely not acceptable. When we have a sincere desire to accomplish something, there is no way going back or no cold feet once decided. Utilize all good opportunities when it comes to learning new things.

What do you do outside of the work environment?    
I like to explore food of different regions by cooking or tasting food while traveling. Reading books especially biographies or historical ones interests me a lot. Otherwise, I like spending time with my family.

What is the most courageous thing you have done in your life? 
When I got an opportunity to work in UAE, I traveled alone and managed to make all the basic arrangements for the work myself. I was not someone who'd traveled abroad before.

What is your favourite film/series and why?    
Chernobyl series. They not only portraying the Chernobyl catastrophe but also telling the story of brave men and women who sacrificed to save Europe.

Al-Khwarizmi is considered as the grandfather of computer science. This is because binary mathematics that are used in computer programming, are based on the algorithmic modules developed by Al-Khwarizmi. His influence is not limited only to computer science. In fact, parts of his work are considered the foundation of modern sciences.