Our Student Learning Assistants (SLA) are a core part of teaching and learning at Middlesex University Dubai. SLAs are all current students, who are trained to work alongside their lecturers to promote learning and provide academic guidance to peers on their programme.They make an incredible contribution to our community, so last week we held a party for them to celebrate their achievements and say a big thank you for all their efforts!Faiza Umar, Head of the Centre for Academic Success (CAS), which runs the SLA programme, said: "Our SLA programme empowers students to create a strong learning community driven by peer-to-peer support. Working alongside their lecturers, the SLAs get the opportunity to hone their own leadership skills, enhance their understanding of the subject matter, and foster knowledge sharing."And how did our SLAs find their experience as part of the programme? What did they learn?"I enjoyed every minute of interacting with my juniors. I am glad I could play a small part in their university journey," says Cassandra Noronha, SLA Accounting and Finance.For Simran Mathur, being an SLA for International Tourism Management was very rewarding: "Being an SLA helped me improve my communication skills and gain confidence in addressing groups."According to Nayana Chulliyot, the SLA programme was an opportunity to learn about different cultures, as "my juniors were from a variety of cultural backgrounds."Muhammad Siraj Bilal, SLA for Science and Technology, says he was able to develop his leadership and mentoring skills, as well as learn how to explain complex ideas in a simple way. “I developed the ability to recognise every single student's unique needs and strengths. It also made me realise how much of an effect dedicated lecturers can have on the lives of their students.”To learn more about the Student Learning Assistant programme and how you can take part, please visit: https://www.mdx.ac.ae/cas 

Ramadan Kareem from Middlesex University Dubai to all those observing this year! Below we will be sharing some tips for how to keep your studies on track during the holy month, and how your classmates and friends can support you during this time. But first, those of you joining from around the globe who may not have experienced this period before, you may be asking, “What is Ramadan?"Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is a very holy time for the Muslim Community. The dates of Ramadan change every year, as the Islamic calendar is slightly different to the standardised calendar. This year it began on Thursday 23rd March, and is due to end Friday 21st April 2023 (dependent on the moon sighting).During this time, most Muslims will be fasting in the sunlight hours, from dawn to dusk. This religious practice requires a lot of energy, and that can pose challenges when trying to maintain effective study hours. Our small tips below may help just a little to get the best out of your studies this Ramadan.  Here are our top tips for studying over Ramadan:Check your amended timetablesDuring Ramadan, work hours are reduced for everyone, which will include your university staff and faculty. The new hours will have been sent to your email already, and you can check here for updates. You don’t want to make any unnecessary travel!Plan your studies into your day in advanceIf you are fasting, you may feel tired and lethargic. If you have a pre-determined plan to study at a certain time, you will be more inclined to follow through, especially if it has been written or documented somewhere like in your journal or planner. If you can, study straight after Suhoor as this is your ideal focus time.Stay as cool as possibleStaying cool means you’re less likely to become dehydrated, and this can help you think clearer. If your friends want to hang out outside, suggest finding a place with AC instead so you can preserve some energy for class. Water and dates during your IftarMaking sure you get well hydrated during the evening after your fast is broken will help your brain to reengage with learning and studying. Dates can also help give that boost of energy needed to motivate you to pick up your books in the evening. Study at a desk, not a bed or sofaIt may be tempting to drift off to sleep if you set up your study space somewhere too cozy. Spending study time at a dedicated desk removes distractions, and lets you focus. You can move to your bed to sleep properly and get some good rest afterwards!  How can you support your classmates who are fasting? Find a new location to spend lunchtime with friends on campusIf you have friends who are fasting, consider avoiding the food court and choosing a new place to spend some downtime together. Although food outlets will be open for non-fasters, it is considered respectful to not eat or drink around fasting people during this month. If you want to discreetly have some lunch, try not to do this directly in front of your fasting friends or classmates. Limit bad habits and be extra respectfulDuring Ramadan, people who are fasting often try to give up some bad habits. Keep things like smoking or vaping private and off campus. It is also always recommended to observe more modest dressing during this month.Avoid Iftar hours when making plans This year, iftar is expected to fall at around 6:35pm. This is when people who are fasting can break their fast, and eat for the first time that day. Limit the amount of expectations you have on your classmates or friends around this time of the evening – they will be busy! The most important thing during the next month is to look after yourself and each other. Take it easy, and don’t put too much pressure on yourself to overperform. Juggling your studies with fasting will be difficult but remember to embrace Ramadan and special time with your family during this month.If you need any help or guidance, reach out to the CAS team at [email protected] who will try to help with time management. 

On Monday 20 March and Tuesday 21 March 2023, the Institute of Sustainable Development was extremely proud to launch For The Love Of The Planet, our brand new two-day festival putting the UAE’s future leaders at the heart of student-driven solutions to the issues of sustainable fashion, food sustainability and developing a circular economy.Designed to support the UAE in achieving its ambitious goals ahead of its hosting of COP28 in November 2023, the event was supported by an exciting host of industry guests. The agenda was designed to uphold our community’s sustainability objectives, help visitors build knowledge through education, and promote ‘thinking differently’ when it comes to combatting climate change.Day 1 of the event focused on the concept of sustainable fashion, putting students into contact with inspirational businesses and organisations who are pioneering ways to upcycle existing clothing and pre-loved items and keep more textiles away from landfill.The event was opened by Jade Povey, Thrift For Good's Community Engagement Officer, who explained how they resell or quality clothes or upcycle, but also how all preloved items, socks with holes or materials that are not resalable, but are repurposed often in mattresses or carpets, keeping all the clothes they receive out of landfill.Students had the opportunity to get practical and try their hand at ways to upcycle their favourite clothes. Tasneem Nawab from social entreprise Zaish Denim, which specialises in supporting and lifting up artists and artisans through ethical, handcrafted products, visited campus to lead a denim customisation workshop. Ellie Collins, Creative Director of vintage thrift shop Fashion Rerun, brought in some of their collections, which students used in a fast-paced and competitive styling competition to promote the purchase of second hand instead of fast fashion clothing. Thrift For Good also joined forces with us to show students how they can turn old t-shirts into fashionable, usable tote bags.The workshops demonstrated the creativity and ingenuity that can be found when upcycling clothes, and our students learnt how they can style pre-loved items to express themselves and their personality, while reducing the environmental impact of fashion as an industry.The day also featured a lively clothes drive, which encouraged students and staff to avoid sending their unused clothes and other items to landfill. All students and community members are encouraged to continue to bring clothes and textiles to campus. Collection boxes are available in Block 15 and 16, Dubai Knowledge Park.Day 2 of the event, under the theme of the circular economy, saw a wide range of activities ranging from sustainable business solutions focusing on sustainable food systems through to Environmental, Social and Governance best practices, as well as sustainable business funding. A contest was held to create the design for a t-shirt made entirely of fibres generated from recycled plastic bottles, highlighting the practical application of the concepts championed by the event’s key themes.A riveting address from guest speaker Malachi Halliday of The Halliday Group provided valuable insight into current and future trends of business financing. Mallachi also shared his top tips for entrepreneurs who are looking to navigate the complexities of modern business on a global scale.Particularly relevant to the UAE’s National Food Security Strategy 2051, a panel discussion on the topic of sustainable food systems took place between distinguished local entrepreneurs and business leaders including Adele Repas (Nutritionist), Iman Suguitan (Cofounder of Co Chocolat), and Daniel Solomon (Cofounder of HeroGo and MDX Dubai alumni). Real-world insights were shared which gave students and other attendees an incredibly valuable look into how businesses are addressing food sustainability challenges right now, demonstrating the viability of business solutions that combine good values with profitability.A diverse range of sustainability-focused businesses exhibited at the event to educate attendees on the varied business solutions to sustainability. These included Adele Repas Nutritionist, Co Chocolat, HeroGo, DGrade, D K Hot Sauce, Daroora, Enviroserve, Nuttino, Organiq Living, ReLoop, Satori Apothecary, and Skinny Genie. Our students also showcased their work in sustainability throughout the event in mediums such as fashion, digital media, video, business and design, highlighting the integration of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in their respective curricula. Brilliant student presentations were an inspiration to see, with students demonstrating a passion for the future and being proactively part of solutions that added a great energy to the festival’s activities.The event could not have been as successful as it was without the amazing contribution from the organisers: Andrew Mackenzie, Margo Tummel, Vaishali Raj Sharma, Rory McConnon, Claudia Maher, Anna Ro, Ryan Kenneth Stephenson, Marian Fletcher, Sai Gayatri Nainani and Slamet Suprianto.Learn more about For The Love Of The Planet here.