Morocco is set to get a branch campus of Coventry University which will be situated in Casablanca.
The new campus in the suburb of Bouskoura is scheduled to welcome students from September subject to final approval.
The university’s vice chancellor, Prof John Latham, said the institution would be proud to become the first in the UK to open a campus in the North African country.
He said Coventry University’s global outlook brings great benefits to students and staff, enabling the sharing of best research practices and ensuring that more and more people have access to life-changing qualifications.
The branch campus will follow the model of the institution’s hub in Egypt, enabling people to earn the same degree qualifications as those in the UK.
The university has teamed up with the British Schools Educational Services Prives – a national higher education organisation – to open the branch campus.
It intends to offer courses in subject areas such as engineering, architecture and business.
Morocco To Get New Coventry University Branch Campus
Mauritius 2022 : Minister Commends Team Nigeria ‘s Third-Place Finish
The Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development Sunday Dare has praised the performance of Team Nigeria at the just concluded African Athletics Championships in Mauritius.
Team Nigeria won five gold, three silver and three bronze medals to finish third on the medals table behind Kenya and South Africa.
Despite missing some of her top rated athletes, Nigeria still put up a credible outing at the competition, showing her strength in depth in both track and field events.
Dare said the performance of the athletes underlines the positive attitude of Nigerian sports men and women as well as the fighting spirit that makes them succeed against all odds and thrive in the most difficult situations.
“Even in the absence of some of our top rated athletes who could not make it to Mauritius, Team Nigeria still fought gallantly and defended our colours brilliantly. We are so proud of them,” the Minister said.
£155m Donation To University of Oxford Under Investigation – UK Education Minister
The UK government is investigating a £155m donation to University of Oxford from a Vietnamese company based on concerns raised in the Commons over Linacre College’s memorandum of understanding with SOVICO Group.
It plans to change its name to Thao College following a first gift of £50m.
A Linacre College spokesperson said it has already taken steps to ensure the donations will be “in line with government guidance and laws”.
Education minister Michelle Donelan told menbers of parliament that she was investigating the matter and would provide an update within days.
Universities will be expected to share details of financial arrangements from overseas people and organisations.
The college signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with SOVICO Group on 31 October.
The name change – which will need to be approved by the Privy Council – will be made in honour of SOVICO Group’s chairwoman, Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao.
The college spokesperson said its actions have been approved by its governing body and the university’s committee to review donations and research funding, which both follow a “robust, independent process”.
They said all donations are in line with government guidance and laws having additionally engaged with a considerable number of key stakeholders to ensure that important information is shared as appropriate.
The college was founded in 1962 and is named after the Renaissance humanist, medical scientist and classicist Thomas Linacre.
The college previously said the donation will help to pay for a new graduate centre and graduate access scholarships.
Ligue 1: Zidane wants star French trio’Dembele, Pogba and Kounde at PSG
Zinedine Zidane is planning a French influx at Paris Saint-Germain
That’s according to Okdiario’s chief pundit Eduardo Inda, when speaking on El Chiringuito.
Former Real Madrid coach Zidane is set to succeed Mauricio Pochettin at PSG, with Inda stating: “Zidane can go to PSG because the Emir of Qatar, who is the one in charge, has said that he wants him, above all things.
“Despite the fact that Luis Campos wants (Christophe) Galtier, from Nice, the former Real Madrid player is the favourite.
“Zidane will ask PSG for three players. One is (Ousmane) Dembélé (from Barcelona), another (Paul) Pogba (Manchester United) and the third is (Jules) Koundé (Sevilla).”
Zidane feels it’s important PSG sign French stars in order to lift the profile of the club as French around the world.
Vice President Osinbajo To Commission Mudiame University
Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo will later this week commission Mudiame University Irrua (MUI) in Edo State, the school management said in a release.
The event, slated to hold on Saturday will also mark the first matriculation of the university approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and licensed last year by the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC).
The Vice Chancellor of the university, a Nigerian American inventor, Prof. Ernest Izevbigie noted that other dignitaries expected at the event, are the State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, members of the national assembly as well as Edo State House of Assembly, ambassadors from major countries of the world, heads of religious organisations, experts across sectors of the nation’s economy as well as community leaders.
Izevbigie noted that the school founded by Prof, Sunny Eromosele, an astute oil and gas expert would bridge the gap between the academia and the industry, adding that the school would build market ready workforce for industries.
Speaking about the institution, Izevbigie said Mudiame University focuses on becoming the world-leading institution for technological innovation that addresses challenges in agriculture and food safety, energy, health, manufacturing, oil and gas, security, and transportation on a regional and global levels.
“The Mission or reason(s) for our existence is to contribute to the sustainable welfare of society with expertise in science, technology, and business, and through teaching, research, and community service. The vision bearer of MUI, Prof. S.E. Eromosele, an astute visionary who has helped to redefine the frontiers of the Oil and Gas industry in Nigeria and beyond by the incorporation of standards and calibration measures that affect the bottom-line and operations of the industry, a man who has enjoyed the platform of the prestigious Oxford University, U.K, to impart knowledge,” he said.
Izevbigie said the board of trustees, and council of the school are composed of accomplished, selfless, service mentality- oriented, and dynamic members at top management of the university, as he is equally a former
substantive Vice Chancellor, professor-entrepreneur, translational research scientist, consumer advocate, and multiple U.S. patents holder with national and international exposure.
The Vice Chancellor said: “MUI is strategically positioned near a Federal Government of Nigeria facility, the Irrua Specialist and Teaching Hospital, and Ambrose Alli University for collaboration. MUI’s take-off is preceded by its CSR and consequently enjoys broad support of the host community.
“MUI is member of a conglomerate (organization) composed of many companies and subsidiaries (Mudiame International Limited, Mudiame Welding Institute etc) with national and global partners.
“Mudiame Welding Institute, which is part of the University, is currently training students sponsored by Shell Nigeria Limited in welding technology, scaffolding, ridging etc.”
Izevbigie, who noted that the state-of-the-art laboratories, classrooms, hostels, and digitised infrastructure of the university, positioned it for conducive learning environment, noted that the school remained the first University in the world to offer the Employment Guaranty Policy (EGP) for all first-class-honours graduates effective with the first graduation class.
Cyprus’ Tourism Industry Takes Huge Hit Since EU’s Ban Of Flights From Russia, Losses €600 million
Cyprus’ tourism industry is taking a huge hit from the lack of Russian and Ukrainian tourists, with an estimated loss of €600 million this year alone.
Cyprus is one of the shortest flights from Russia to any Mediterranean holiday destination.
This made it a popular destination with holidaymakers from both Russia and Ukraine.
But now, thanks to the EU banning flights from Russia, their absence is being sorely felt.
How many tourists from Ukraine and Russia usually visit Cyprus?
In 2019, Russian and Ukrainian tourists accounted for a fifth of all tourists to the island nation. In 2022, the number of arrivals is close to zero.
Businesses are feeling the worst impacts, especially local travel agencies that work with big tour operators focusing on the Russian market. “There are hotels, especially in the Famagusta area, Ayia Napa and Protaras which are suffering mostly because they had the extensive contracts with tour operators from Russia. And they are facing huge difficulties at the moment.” says Haris Loizides, board president of the Cyprus Hotel Association.
Some hotels on Cyprus’ east coast that catered to Russian vacationers are feeling the sting too. “They might not achieve the numbers that they were anticipating, but at least they have some solution with these other markets, especially the European ones,” says Loizides.
But, he says, hotel owners haven’t given up entirely on getting Russian tourists to Cyprus this summer. He says they’re looking into getting them to Cyprus through countries not affected by the flight ban, like Serbia, Georgia and Israel.
“We are maintaining close cooperation with Russian clients and exploring possibilities of getting them into Cyprus through points in Europe or outside Europe, which are not affected by the sanctions,” he says.
Ndidi Steps Up Recovery From Long-Term Injury
Wilfred Ndidi has stepped up his recovery from injury and is on course to be part of Leicester City’s pre-season training.
The Nigerian international missed the final two-and-a-half months of the 2021/22 campaign with a knee injury.
The midfielder sustained the injury in Leicester City’s UEFA Europa Conference League clash against Rennes.
With the rest of his teammates on holiday, Ndidi has been working hard in the United Arab Emirates to regain full fitness ahead of the new season.
“Pleasure to assist Wilf with his rehab whilst here in Dubai this last week. Thanks to LCFC becoming the latest club to trust our service Elite Sports Performance with their player and wishing Wilfred the best of luck with the comeback,” Chris Bowman of Elites Sports Performance was quoted by Leicester City Mercury.
Leicester City will commence pre-season training on June 27.
Iran Says Greece Frees Seized Flagged Tanker
Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organisation (PMO) says an Iranian-flagged tanker seized in April has been freed by Greece, according to the country’s semi-official Mehr news agency.
“The Greek government finally issued an order and we are now witnessing the lifting of the ship’s seizure and the return of its cargo to its owner,” the PMO told Mehr on Tuesday.
The Greek government has yet to confirm the move.
The ship, previously called Pegas and renamed Lana in March, had reported an engine problem in April.
It was reportedly headed to the southern Peloponnese Peninsula to offload its cargo onto another tanker but rough seas forced it to moor just off Karystos, on the island of Evia, where it was seized.
Its alleged release comes after a Greek court overturned an earlier ruling last week that allowed the confiscation by the United States of part of the tanker’s Iranian oil cargo.
Athens had linked the tanker seizure in Greece to European Union sanctions imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine in February.
The tanker was initially Russian-flagged and had 19 Russian crew members on board at the time it was seized.
It was among five vessels designated by the US on February 22 – two days before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – for sanctions against Promsvyazbank, a bank viewed as critical to Russia’s defence sector.
The vessel’s Russian owner Transmorflot was subsequently designated on May 8.
The tanker, which was reportedly carrying 115,000 tonnes of Iranian oil when it was seized, has been flying the Iranian flag since May 1. Iran and Russia face separate US and EU sanctions.
Ola Aina To Miss Guinea Bissau Tie In September
When Nigeria host Guinea Bissau in September in the Match day 3 of the Africa Cup of Nations, hardworking defender, Ola Aina will not be in action.
The Torino defender has been cautioned twice in the series and will miss the next match. As per Article 42 42.1 which applies to both the qualifying and final tournament, “a player who receives two cautions shall be automatically suspended from playing the following match”
Aina was cautined in the 73rd minute of the game with Sierra Leone in Abuja and was again booked in the 58th minute by the referee in the match against Sao Tome and Principe.
He will however be eligible for the Match Day 4 fixture which is away in Guinea Bissau.
Other Nigerian players on caution list are goalkeeper Francis Uzoho and Oghenekaro Etebo who both obtained yellow cards in the home game with Sierra Leone.
Food Shortage: Sri Lanka Approves 4-Day Work Week To Encourage Gardening
Sri Lanka has approved a four-day work week for public sector workers to grow food in their back yards in a bid to forestall a looming food shortage as the government struggles with its worst financial crisis in decades.
The island nation, which employs about one million people in its public sector, has been hit by a severe foreign exchange shortage, which has left it struggling to pay for critical imports of fuel, food and medicine.
Many of the country’s 22 million people have to queue up at petrol stations for hours and have been enduring long power cuts for months.
Sri Lanka’s cabinet approved a proposal for public sector workers to be given leave every Friday for the next three months, partly because the fuel shortage made commuting difficult and also to encourage them to farm.
“It seems appropriate to grant government officials leave of one working day … to engage in agricultural activities in their backyards or elsewhere as a solution to the food shortage that is expected,” the government information office said in a statement.
The extra day off would be a “solution to the food shortage that is expected to occur in the future”, the statement read, adding that cutting down on civil servant commutes would also help reduce fuel consumption.
