Hope you are keeping safe and enjoying your summer.

Kindly see below the latest edition of country updates across the MENA to keep UK universities updated on latest news regarding education in the region.

Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or require additional information.

Bahrain: All secondary school results have now been released, with high success rates. IELTS exams are still on hold but expected to resume once COVID-19 numbers begin to drop.

Egypt: As for final year students (thanawaya Amma – equivalent to grade 12), started their paper final exams from 21 June until 21 July.

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: The Kingdom has lifted the COVID-19 curfew in the Kingdom across the country. International flights to and from the country remain suspended until further notice.

Kuwait: The Ministry of Higher Education hasn’t announced the plans for scholarship students. Grade 12 students are currently studying online and are awaiting the ministry’s release of exams dates.

Morocco: Students of the national and regional baccalaureate exams will sit for exams on July 3rd-8th and September 4-5th, 2020 respectively.

Qatar: The Ministry of Education and Higher Education announced the opening of e-registration for scholarships of undergraduate and postgraduate levels for the academic year 2020/2021, on the government scholarship portal.

UAE: Schools and universities across Dubai will be allowed to operate from the start of the 2020-2021 academic year, provided that they comply with health and safety protocols, according to the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).

Home Office

The Home Office has published a new version of the Covid-19 study concession guidance. There are two main updates to the guidance:

1. Confirmation that distance/blended learning will be permitted for the 20/21 academic year provided students intend to transition to face-to-face learning as soon as circumstances allow. Essentially meaning scholars can enrol on a UK HEI course in September from their home country and travel to the UK at a later point.

2. Confirmation that those studying by distance/blended learning will be eligible to apply for the Graduate route provided they are in the UK by 6 April 2021 The complete guidance can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploa...

Visas and Immigration

UKVI & VFS services resumed in UAE, KSA, Bahrain and Kuwait as of June 28th, 2020. Appointments are currently limited and will demand will be monitored. Priority and Super Priority Services are not available. UKVI is now (temporarily) issuing T4 students with a 90 day vignette to travel and collect their BRP in the UK, instead of the usual 30 day vignette. More information can be found here: https://www.vfsglobal.co.uk/en

Travel advice

For travel advice, please visit https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. We encourage institutions who are considering travelling to sign up for alerts. We are also keeping up to date with local government websites for any updates and restrictions, so kindly feel free to contact us if you need any information and we will refer you to the relevant websites.

IELTS

IELTS tests have gradually started resuming with health and safety precautions. For latest updates on test availability, please visit: https://www.ielts.org/news/2020/covid19-information-for-our-global-test-....

IELTS Counselling service has been launched to help students achieve the test they require. IELTS counselling is a free service from the British Council, aiming to help test-takers achieve the scores they need through one on one, on-going virtual sessions. The IELTS Counselling services is currently available in UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. What to expect from the British Council IELTS Counselling service? An English level check for all four skills, composed of: An online English reading and listening diagnostic test A writing and speaking diagnostic test with a British Council teacher Detailed feedback on your writing and speaking tests performance from a British Council teacher A personalised tailor-made Learning Plan from your IELTS counsellor30-minute regular check-in calls with your personal counsellor to follow up on progress and provide additional information Further assistance and guidance with your IELTS Exam booking and results collection. For more information visit https://www.britishcouncil.ae/en/exam/ielts/prepare/counselling-service

IELTS Indicator, on the other hand, is an online test that can be taken from home. The test includes four skills – Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. Performance will be marked by examiners and results will be ready within seven days. The Academic test is available for a limited time while IELTS testing is currently suspended due to COVID-19. Educational providers can use IELTS Indicator to help them measure the English language ability of future students while IELTS testing is suspended. The IELTS Indicator Academic test occurs once a week.

For information on test availability please visit www.ieltsindicator.com More information can be found on British Council websites as well as IELTS.Org

Update on Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) In line with the UKVI’s decision to re-open some Visa Application Centres, the ATAS scheme began to accept new applications on the online portal from 12:00 BST on 1 June 2020. They will be working to a normal peak processing time hoping to provide a decision to the student within 30 working days from receipt of the application. We ask that HEIs and students consider the following before making an application: Will the student be physically entering the UK to begin their course? Is the course start date confirmed? If the course will initially begin through remote learning, with the student not entering the UK, please do not submit an ATAS application until it is required. Please continue to consider Export Control legislation when providing remote learning.

For more MENA updates, webinars, market insights and other IES services, please go to your alerts settings and select updates from MENA. If you have any feedback or require any additional information, please contact me on dina.kanan@ae.britishcouncil.org

Thank you and stay safe

Dina Kanan

UAE Manager, International Education Services

BAHRAIN: All secondary school results have now been released, with high success rates. Complete article can be found here: https://www.newsofbahrain.com/bahrain/64431.html

Contact Information:

For more information about Bahrain, please contact Kawthar AlArab, Projects Manager, Bahrain Kawthar.AlArab@britishcouncil.org.bh

EGYPT:

Schools & Universities

The Social Solidarity Ministry announced the reopening of kindergartens with COVID-19 precautionary measures including 50% cap on capacity. Higher Education Minister confirmed that following the data projection model, and the last 15 days infection rates, Egypt will enter the peak stage soon and begin to gradually decline during a month period. Egypt is working to develop four coronavirus vaccines that have been registered by the World Health Organisation (WHO) among a list of candidate vaccines in global pre-clinical evaluation.

Technical Diploma final year exams started last week with reports of two students taken to hospital after displaying COVID-19 symptoms

Higher education minister said that universities will be seeking to keep students from lecture halls in the next academic year by implementing distance learning system for non-practical majors.

Final years exams started this week at 563 colleague and institute with 214,289 students attending out of 223,540 allowed to take the tests with 4% absenteeism.

Minister of Culture started the reopening of museums and galleries with precautionary measures in placed on a phased basis at July 7, 14 and August 2.

Contact Information:

For more information about Egypt, please contact Sahar Khamis, Head of Education Programmes, Egypt Sahar.khamis@britishcouncil.org.eg

KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA

Studying in the UK “A discussions with Saudi-UK Alumni and advice for prospective students”

British Council Saudi Arabia is delivering a webinar next week on Studying in the UK aligns with the priorities of The UK Government (HMG) to support international students to benefit, as current students do, from a world-class education from our globally renowned universities and enjoy an unforgettable UK student experience. The panel will provide information on how UK universities are preparing to welcome students in autumn 2020 and committed to supporting all students under the current unprecedented circumstances and ensure teaching is delivered in a safe environment. Through the webinar prospective students will have a chance to hear first-hand about UK education excellence from UK Alumni in Saudi Arabia and their experience of the UK as a destination for study, research, and work. Saudi-UK Alumni will share their journey of how their education in the UK has contributed to their success and professional achievements. Further information: https://www.britishcouncil.sa/en/study-uk

Minister of Higher Education Khaled Al-Anqari highlighted the role of Saudi universities in transforming the Kingdom into a knowledge economy and training young Saudi men and women and developing their various skills and capabilities. Further information: https://www.arabnews.com/%5btermalias-raw%5d/universities-play-big-role-transforming-kingdom-knowledge-economy

Contact Information

For more information and insights about the situation in KSA, please contact Rizwan Safdar, Project Manager, KSA (Rizwan.Safdar@sa.britishcouncil.org)

KUWAIT:

Scholarships 2020 -2021:

Ministry of Higher Education is planning to announce scholarships’ scheme for the academic year 2020/2021 soon. Scholarships could be offered first to the graduate of foreign private schools in Kuwait while the students of government’s schools can benefit from these scholarships when they complete the academic year later this year (another scholarship scheme around Dec 2020) They can also apply to university in advance of graduating to secure their places and then apply for scholarships once they have their school results students applications will be for January 2021 intake. It is expected that the internal scholarships will be 4000 while the external ones will be around 2000.

Other

Kuwait Government has planned resumption in 5 phases based on the prevailing situation with number of cases detected and fatalities.

Phase 1, essential services were open that included private hospitals, clinics, laundry services, garages, restaurants & cafes (drive thru) and cleaning services that helped prepare for phase 2 that started on 30 June. Phase 2, started in 30 of June, government has announced offices can open with less than 30% staff in attendance and sanitisation guidelines are followed. Shopping malls, retail services & financial services, have resumed with receiving customers maintaining adequate social distancing and frequent cleaning of premises as laid down by the authorities. According to reports, on the first day of opening on 30 June, 5 main shopping malls recorded sales of KD 600,000 (GBP 1.5M).

Phase 3 is planned to start on 12 July, where 50% of staff can be in office and the partial curfew 8pm to 5am in place currently will be lifted. Taxis with limited passengers will start so will the Friday prayers in mosques. Hotels and resorts are also scheduled to open however there is no clarity on the activities like banquets, meetings, exhibitions etc.

Phase 4 is tentatively planned for 4 August will see restaurants and cafes opening doors for customers but guidelines yet to be published and public transport will resume albeit with strict social distancing guidelines. The staff strength in offices can exceed the 50% mark however directions on capping is awaited.

Phase 5 is expected to start on 23 August with life returning to normal however with strict rules around social distancing and sterilisation to continue in offices and public places. Government also announced the resumption of commercial flights from 1st of August 2020 with 30% Capacity.

Contact Information

For more information and insights about the situation in Kuwait, please contact Rasha Osman, Project Manager, Higher Education ((Rasha.Osman@britishcouncil.org)

MOROCCO

School/university closures and examinations

Schools and universities in Morocco are closed since March 10th and will remain closed for the remainder of this academic year. Morocco’s Minister of Education Saaid Amzazi has announced the official cancellation of all final exams during the 2019-2020 academic year, except for the first and second years of the baccalaureate levels. Students of the national and regional baccalaureate exams will sit for exams on July 3rd-8th and September 4-5th, 2020 respectively. Final regional and national baccalaureate exams will take into account only lessons that were completed by March 14, before the national shift to remote education..

Contact Information

For more information, kindly contact Kenza ElMohajir, Project Manager, English and Education (Kenza.ElMohajir@britishcouncil.org.ma )

QATAR:

The Ministry of Education and Higher Education announced the opening of e-registration for scholarships of undergraduate and postgraduate levels for the academic year 2020/2021, on the government scholarship portal. Complete article can be found here: https://www.iloveqatar.net/news/education/ministry-of-education-higher-e...

Contact Information

For more information, you may contact Paula Jensch, Project Coordinator Qatar, (Paula.Jensch@qa.britishcouncil.org)

UAE:

Schools and universities across Dubai will be allowed to operate from the start of the 2020-2021 academic year, provided that they comply with health and safety protocols, according to the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA). Complete article can be found here: https://www.arabianbusiness.com/education/448547-khda-says-dubai-schools...

Scholarships: Current scholarship students are studying online as long as needed. All scholarship providers in the UAE including Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, Abu Dhabi Police, Department of Education and Knowledge, Dubai Police, Ministry of Presidential Affairs, UAE G.H.Q Armed Forces to name a few follow the ministry of education guidelines. No new scholarship students. This will be assessed in July 2020.

Other insights (Media)

Sheikh Mohammed announces new ministries, merges departments to unveil an agile, nimble government

https://www.khaleejtimes.com/news/government/sheikh-mohammed-announces-n...

UAE students voice concern after US warns learners may have to leave country if classes remain online

https://www.thenational.ae/uae/education/uae-students-voice-concern-afte...

KHDA briefs school principals in Dubai about new safety protocols

https://www.khaleejtimes.com/coronavirus-pandemic/khda-briefs-school-pri...

Dubai schools receive first-ever Distance Learning Evaluation ratings

https://www.khaleejtimes.com/coronavirus-pandemic/dubai-schools-receive-...

Is COVID-19 transforming the traditional university model indefinitely?

https://design-middleeast.com/is-covid-19-transforming-the-traditional-u...

Contact Information

For more information, please contact Dina Kanan, UAE Manger, International Education Services (dina.kanan@ae.britishcouncil.org)