Universities angry at PM’s failure to include reopening plan in Covid roadmap
April 7, 2021, 10:14 am

Universities angry at PM’s failure to include reopening plan in Covid roadmap

At least half of England’s 2.1 million university students are still studying entirely online.

Boris Johnson has not said how soon campuses in England can fully reopen

University leaders said it was deeply unfair that students could get haircuts or work in pubs next week but still had no idea when their campuses would reopen, as the government announced that school pupils in England will be expected to wear masks until the middle of May.

Many are angry at the government’s failure to include higher education in its latest coronavirus roadmap updates, saying they have had no guidance about when campuses in England can fully reopen.

While Boris Johnson confirmed that non-essential shops would reopen to customers from Monday, there was no mention in the prime minister’s briefing of how soon universities would be able to welcome back the bulk of their students to access libraries or seminars in person.

“It seems deeply unfair that students may be able to go to the pub or hairdressers and even work in these industries from 12 April, yet will not be able to access the facilities and opportunities on campus to support their learning and career development,” said Vanessa Wilson, chief executive of the University Alliance, which represents a number of institutions including Coventry University and the University of Brighton.

“The prime minister committed to education being the first sector to reopen, and while schools and colleges have been permitted to return, this has not been the case for all university students, raising real questions over equity.”

At least half of England’s 2.1 million university students are still studying entirely online, with only those studying for practical degrees or requiring specialist facilities being allowed to attend in-person classes during the first phase of the government’s lockdown easing from 8 March. Students on vital lab-based courses such as medicine have been able to attend since the start of the year.

The National Union of Students said Johnson’s failure to mention students in his statement on Monday was evidence they were being ignored by the prime minister.

“Students need information immediately about when they can expect to be back on campus, to allow them to make necessary arrangements,” said Hillary Gyebi-Ababio, the NUS’s vice-president for higher education.

“Students have missed out not just on huge swathes of education and hands-on experience this year, but on huge parts of campus life, on top of learning in cramped homes and bedrooms.”

Universities UK, which represents vice-chancellors and principals, said: “Universities in England have been looking forward to welcoming all students back and are fully prepared to do so, yet the government has failed to provide the clarity that universities, students and their parents have been calling for.”

The vice-chancellors’ group said that while gyms, spas, public libraries and self-catering holidays would be open to the public next week, students will still not be able to return to their self-catering accommodation or use facilities or teaching on campus despite the benefits for their mental welfare and development.

“We urgently need the government to spell out when all students, not just those who need to complete practical work or access specialist facilities, will be able to return to in-person teaching, learning and support,” UUK said.

The Department for Education has said it will announce further details by the end of the Easter holidays after reviewing current arrangements.

The 17 May date marks the third phase of reopening under the government’s roadmap for England, with the DfE confirming on Tuesday that secondary school and college pupils would be expected to wear masks until then.

The DfE said it expected that “face coverings will no longer be required to be worn in classrooms, or by students in other communal areas, at step three of the roadmap, which will be no earlier than 17 May”, after a further review of evidence. All other safety measures will remain, including regular testing of secondary pupils, increased hygiene and ventilation, and social distancing.

Jon Richards, Unison’s head of education, said: “Wearing face coverings isn’t ideal, but they’re a valuable safety measure and will be needed for a while longer to allow schools to stay open. Keeping staff, pupils and their families safe and stopping wider infection spread is the most important thing.”

source: Richard Adams

Levant

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.