Author: M Fayiz Kareem

The UNESCO Chair on Environmental Law and Sustainable Development at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), in partnership with the Centre for International Law (CIL) at the National University of Singapore, hosted a webinar marking the publication of Regional Energy Interconnectivity and Sustainable Development: The Role of International Law. The publication appears in a special issue of the Journal of Energy and Natural Resources Law (JERL), published by the International Bar Association’s (IBA) Section on Energy, Environment, Natural Resources and Infrastructure Law. Bringing together perspectives from academia, policymaking, and legal practice, the publication explores how international law can support sustainability in…

In recent years, some Canadian universities and faculty bodies have begun considering and adopting “institutional neutrality” policies. These policies, which may also be called “impartiality” (as is the case at Carleton University) or “non-partisanship” policies, mandate that universities must refrain from issuing public statements about contested political or social issues.  While these policies are much more prevalent in the U.S., they are in place at Canadian institutions such as Laurentian University, the University of New Brunswick, Memorial University, and the University of Waterloo. Extant policies vary, but they generally follow many of the principles laid out in the 1967 University of Chicago “Kalven Report” on the…

UK: Hundreds of schools across England and Wales have closed or reduced their hours this week as Britain endures one of its most intense heatwaves on record, with authorities warning the extreme heat poses a genuine risk to life. A red weather warning for extreme heat, covering an area stretching from London to Swansea and Somerset to Birmingham, was issued by the Met Office from 9am on Wednesday to 9pm on Thursday. Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge flagged 39°C as the headline maximum temperature on Thursday, most likely for somewhere in London or the South East, adding that temperatures at…

UNESCO and the K-pop icon SEVENTEEN today celebrated the impact of their joint youth empowerment initiative “Going Together – For Youth Creativity and Well-Being” and officially launched the ambitious Scale-Up Phase. In the presence of JOSHUA of SEVENTEEN, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Youth, the high-level event showcased the ten outstanding grantees whose projects will be expanded under the new phase. Young people are shaping our world today through their creativity and innovation. UNESCO and SEVENTEEN have a joint ambition to empower youth, and the “Going Together” initiative has already made a significant impact, reaching over 21,000 people directly. It builds…

Washington DC: A federal judge has delivered a significant legal setback to the Trump administration, blocking it from implementing a new rule that would impose lower federal student loan limits for people pursuing graduate degrees in nursing and other healthcare-related fields. U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell of the District of Columbia issued the ruling on June 24, siding with eight professional organizations, including the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and the PA Education Association, which had challenged the rule before its planned July 1 implementation date. Background: The “One Big Beautiful Bill” The groups sued after the Department of Education…

United Arab Emirates: The Ministry of Education (MoE) has introduced the NOVA project, a strategic initiative aimed at advancing comprehensive institutional transformation powered by AI. In line with national priorities and the UAE’s vision to accelerate AI adoption across the government sector, the project seeks to consolidate the country’s position as a global hub for digital innovation and to enhance the readiness of government institutions for future demands. The launch is part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to develop an integrated institutional ecosystem and elevate the efficiency of operations and services. The project leverages modern technologies, including AI, to transform data…

Doha: Under the patronage and in the presence of His Excellency Sheikh Thani bin Hamad Al Thani, Chairman, Qatar Fund For Development (QFFD), Hamad Bin Khalifa University partnered with QFFD and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to host the ‘Together for Refugees’ event commemorating World Refugee Day. The occasion reflected the University’s role as a convener of knowledge, dialogue, and partnerships that connect academia, policymakers, development actors, and international organizations to discuss and promote solutions to pressing global challenges. Marked annually on June 20, World Refugee Day recognizes the resilience, dignity, and rights of…

Doha: Qatar University (QU) has announced revised minimum admission requirements for its undergraduate programs, with the new criteria set to take effect from the Fall 2027 semester. Under the updated policy, students applying to most undergraduate colleges at QU will be required to achieve a minimum high school average of 75 percent. The University stated that the changes are part of its ongoing review of admission policies and procedures and are intended to provide students and parents with sufficient time to prepare for future university admission requirements. The minimum admission average for the College of Medicine and the College of…

A UN report revealed that the number of children and adolescents whose education has been disrupted by conflicts, climate, social, and economic crises has risen to about 258 million worldwide, including 93 million who are completely out of school. The report, issued by the United Nations’ Education Cannot Wait (ECW) initiative, which supports education in crisis areas, indicated that the number of children affected by crises increased by about 21 million during the past 18 months. The report noted that conflicts and violence are the main reason for children dropping out of school. About 60% of all those affected are…

Doha: The Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MOEHE) has reopened applications for educational vouchers through its “Maarif” public services portal, expanding eligibility criteria to allow more Qatari families to benefit from the initiative. The move reflects the Ministry’s commitment to extending educational opportunities to the widest possible segment of eligible Qatari students through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project, implemented in partnership with private schools and kindergartens. The initiative enables students to access a range of educational options in accordance with the Ministry’s approved regulations and requirements. As part of the updated eligibility criteria, the Ministry has increased the…