(Science|Business) European universities brace for disruption to Gulf campus

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European universities with branch campuses in Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi are on high alert as the war between the US, Israel and Iran spills out across the Persian Gulf. Some have already taken measures to ensure the safety of students and staff without disrupting teaching.

In early March, the University of Birmingham and Heriot-Watt University in the UK announced the closure of their Dubai campuses for a few days, with a switch to remote learning. They have since decided to extend these precautionary measures, with the Heriot-Watt campus set to remain closed until April 3. 

“During this period, teaching and university services will continue remotely to ensure continuity of learning and support,” spokesperson said. This includes the spring break, from March 9 to 22, before classes resume online on March 23.

The university has put safeguarding and wellbeing measures in place, and asked its more-than 5,000 students and 300 staff in Dubai to follow guidance issued by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. At the time of writing, this included leaving the country only if safe to do so, and taking note of updates from the Emirati authorities.

The University of Birmingham plans to keep its campus closed and offer online courses until March 18. “Our overwhelming priority is the safety and wellbeing of staff and students, particularly those in Dubai during what is a fast-moving situation,” a spokesperson for the university said. “Help is available and [they] can access it, should it be needed. We are in direct contact with the individuals most affected and have also put together resources online.”

This also covers exchange students currently based in the UAE and staff travelling to the region.

While on spring break until March 22, Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi (SUAD) also moved classes online earlier this month. “At the current time, there has been no material damage to Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi or casualties,” a spokesperson told Science|Business. “Classes are being held remotely. SUAD management [. . .] has set up a psychological support unit and is providing prevention advice.”

Other institutions have been spared by their academic schedules. The University of Europe for Applied Sciences, a private German university with a campus in Dubai, is on winter break until March 22. “But in any case [. . .] we are fully set up to deal with such extraordinary circumstances,” said Maurits van Rooijen, president of the Emirati campus. “Safety of students and staff are always paramount whilst at the same time ensuring the least disruption to studies.”

The same goes for the HEC Paris business school, which has a campus in Doha. “Our executive programmes are not delivered in residential format during Ramadan, so there has been no immediate impact on course delivery,” the management of the school in Qatar said. “Programmes with online components continue as planned, and we will make any necessary adjustments should circumstances require moving forward.”

Meanwhile, the Cypriot presidency of the EU has also been forced to adapt to the situation, after an Iran-made drone struck a British military base on the island and further drone attacks were intercepted.

The EuroHPC Summit, which was set to bring key European players in high-performance computing to Paphos between March 10 and 12 was postponed until further notice due to “travel disruption and limited flight availability.”

Other presidency events scheduled in Cyprus during March have either been postponed or moved online. This includes the informal meeting of research and innovation ministers on March 31, which will now take place by video conference.