21 Questions

1) Why is there a door near the engineering labs if it was supposed to be always locked?

2) Why are the security staff so mardy? Why are the library staff so mardy?! (Except that lady)

3) Why don't we have a gym?!

3) Why is the grass outside watered during uni' timings?

4) Why don't we have an auditorium already?

5) Why do we have extra-curricular clubs (sports, music etc) when we don't have places to practice them?

6) Why do we have to pay for print-outs relevant to our projects? Are our tuition fees inadequate?

7) Why are we asked to walk all the way up to the printing room to get a copy of our ID when booking the basketball/volleyball court? Wouldn't a copy machine in the office would be more convenient?

8.) Why are all the sound hard drives in all the computers in IT Lab disabled? Sometimes sound is needed.

9) Why do we have to redo our assignments at times because the computers are slow and the softwares get crashed often?

10) Why don't we have lockers for the students?

11) Was the amount of students studying in the Heriot-Watt Dubai Campus considered when granting us with a single pool/billiards table?

12) Why do we at certain places lack surveillance cameras? (In the quiet room, engineering labs etc.) There has been a lot of thefts recently.

13) Why do I leave for the weekend seen the electrical lab all dirty and messy, and come back for the weekstart to see it in the same state?

14) Why are all the computers still turned on every morning? Wouldn't shutting them down be an effiecient way of conserving energy?

15) Why don't we have more vivacious ways of lecture? Why don't we have more site-visiting and practical illustrations for engineers? (Not just Architectural or Civil Engineers)

16) Why do we still have that cat walking around near Circle K when we recently 'heard' it is infected with a disease and one of the students have been affected by it?

17) Why do we have to go to the respective professors and ask them for our grades for exams, quizzes etc? Why aren't they being uploaded on vision? (Escpecially, for engineering students)

18) Why are there students always smoking outside Circle K? What impression do we present from that for our visitors and at times, visiting parents?

19) Why does it take ages for the elevators to move up and down?

20) Why do we have to 'buy' certain tools for our engineering projects? Doesn't our tuition fees suffice for that?

21) Why don't we have safety gloves, goggles etc in the engineering labs? Isn't safety supposed to be a major matter of concern for us?

Don't get it twisted . . . All these questions posed are not just directed towards the university. We must admit many of those questions are forced to be aroused due to the conduct of many students on-campus. The purpose of this topic can also be defined by questions . . . "Why are we not taking any action to resolve them?" and before that "Why are we failing to identify them?"

Smoking lounge along with student lockers are two very important aspects which should be resolved.

Happy with all your questions by the way, and I hope that someone will try to answer them.

Couldn't agree more to this guy! that cat is infecting us!

Every question is valid! Very good Post Imran!

Good first post ia178. However, I believe a few points went over the top.

1) The door could be used in the future, taking into account long-term planning?

6) Paid print-outs are common in all Universities. Price of one coloured printed sheet could go upto a quid in some places.

7) Walking is good for health, and the point raised does not hold any value.

13) The responsibility of cleaning the mess lies upon the student equally, as on anyone else.

14) Whose duty is it to turn off the computers?

19) Not required in here.

20) No it does not. All tools ranging from compasses to calculators are considered to be upon a student's duty to purchase.

The fault is not entirely in the University. Considering a new campus has just been in place, we need to give it time to settle. And if the students contribute with patience, this work could be achieved at a much faster rate.

@Stephenb: A 'Smoking lounge' would be unethical due to it will affect other student's health due to it being a closed room. Do not forget, our campus's windows DO NOT OPEN.
So smoking outside is healthy..
Oh and dont forget, 2nd hand smoking is 10x MORE WORSE than first hand smoking.
So does someone, who smokes, want to FURTHER increase the chance, by having first hand AND Second hand smoking?

1) The Door near the engineering labs is closed for A few purposes.
One, as Symposium had answered, and the other, well lets just say there are expensive tools worth quite alot of money there.
The theif will find it easier to steal them. While we're at it, Why dont we move aside when hes running?

4) The Auditorium, as well as the Dorms, are the 2nd phase of the construction.
First phase was the main campus.
So dont rush things. People can only work at a certain pace. They arent super mario or superman. ^_^

Sound cards are disabled due to some Certain students don't respect their fellow students by bringing headphones, so instead they put it loud and on speakers. TO MAKE matter worse, They (no racism is intended here) put on Bollywood music.. Andthey are loud. Really Loud.

11) The pool/billiards table wasnt in the Universities plan, neither was the foozball.. They are all there because of Chris, as well as some Other students/ Class reps (including me).

18) They do not smoke Outside Circle K, as it is enforced (although not much) by the QBG Securities (which i think they are an ABSOLUTE JOKE! They are bunch of air heads which abuse their powers, which they dont even HAVE!) as well as there are signs that say No smoking in the 'chill out cubicle' infront of the Circle K.

19) Are you serious? There is an issue with the Elevators? There IS a reason why the university has stairs. Or are you too lazy to use them?

Now, i know that all these questions are not from you, but from the general students. Sorry if i was a bit insulting. i was not, in any way insulting towards you and/or racist..Just saying >.>...Its just that i cannot stand people who ask such ridiculous questions, where they are all answered on the HeriotWatt University Dubai Campus's FB page. If not.. Well, looking around and using ones brain is a good form of exercise, physically and mentally.

Although, some of the questions are true...

Said questions are:-

2, Self explanatory really. especially the.. well yeah, all of them.

6, I mean still, We are paying alot of money. They have to Charge us for our Printing?
Its just, to me, another greedy way in making money.
We can atleast have a quota on the amount to print. If we pass the quota, then yes, charge..

10, In the Old campus, the 4th year students had lockers. THAT was understandable, since they may have alot of books or equipment and such. But, honestly, i think its best to provide them for Everyone.

12, now i dont know about the 'Lack of surveillance cameras', but im wondering why, since we have quite alot of surveillance cameras, Why dont THEY WORK.
Or are they messing with us?
Because, in one room, if something is stolen, their excuse is 'they dont work'
But once, my friend, SHE was in a room with her friend, who is a GUY. They were talking and working, when all of a sudden, one of the Securities came in and said 'What are you doing here?! Leave this room Now!' And while they were leaving, the security radioed in asking 'Check the cameras, Check the cameras'
What sort of ******** is this? (Pardon my language, im pretty sure im not the only one who is fed up with them) Not to mention, they are RUDE as HELL.

17) I agree. Sometimes the professors give out our marks Late. Not ours ofcourse, but Other students, such as First years, Second and THIRD.'Oh My Gosh man, No way even THIRD YEARS?'...' -.-

oh wow.. i need to calm down here.. Food time. *munch munch*

Have been trying to reply, but for some reason it's not happening.

Anyway, in response to Symposium's reply:

1) The point of that question was that the door could be really useful and convenient for us. Especially, for those who park their cars at that side of the campus. So, why not make use of it?

6) I'm not against paid print-outs. I'm against paying for the printing of our projects, assignments etc (Just my opinion). Anything irrelevant, I don't mind paying for it.

7) Seriously? That’s the best way to make us lose some calories or to encourage us of physical exercise? I think you need to re-evaluate your response to that. Especially, when we're standing right there in the office looking at the machine that can take a copy of our ID but are still being asked to go all the way far upstairs to take a copy from the copy room. Or instead, why not just let it all be done digitally? Why do we have to book the court on paper?

13) I do agree that the students are responsible for the mess made in the lab and I really think it's too immature of them to think its okay to make a mess. But aren't the cleaners there for a reason?

14) Yes, I know it is the students' duty to turn the computers off, but we dwell in an imperfect world were everyone of us do not have the same mentality. I have mentioned after the 21 questions that the university is not to be blamed alone. The purpose of this post was to resolve those problems, not looking for someone to point fingers at.

19) It gets really frustrated at times to literally wait over 5mins for the elevator to show up and I mean literally. 3rd floor to the ground floor is quite a distance when carrying heavy stuffs or when in a hurry.

20) I was talking more about screw drivers and cutters kind of stuff?

And in response to the last note, yes I agree the students in fact, 'must' contribute to the solutions. But on the other hand, I don't believe that the solutions to these questions require time consuming decisions.















In response to sh249:

Why does the smokers lounge have to be a closed room? Smokers could use the back of the campus (I mean behind Circle K), to smoke if they wanted. And you do realise, your words 'Smoking outside is healthy' are quite ironic, right? LOL

1) Once again, seriously? The door is locked in fear that things may get stolen? How about a security guard assigned to that door and in addition, why are the surveillance cameras there for?

4) I don't see people at work.


About the sound, yes I agree, some students really act stupid, but why should the other students suffer? We need another solution to it instead of just cutting off the sound.

11) That doesn't answer my question.

18) Addressed the smoking issue already.

19) Look at my reply to Symposium.

Woah, looks like a lot has been going on here. My two cents as always:
PLEASE DO NOT SMOKE ANYWHERE AT ANY TIME!

ia178 wrote:1) Why is there a door near the engineering labs if it was supposed to be always locked?

I agree with ia178 and I'm glad you've brought the topic. The door near the engineering lab should be opened for the benefit of many students who use the back side for parking. It is not easy to walk from the back side of the university to the front door, considering the humid and windy climate here in UAE. One more thing is that the parking area has a narrow space for the people to drive and walk around. While some students driving in cars are in a hurry to reach their classrooms on time, some students walking are also in a hurry. I'm afraid that they may bump the other students walking especially during sandstorms and foggy weather. I think the best solution for this is to just assign one security guard near the backdoor so it would not be always locked. That door should not be always locked since it may be useful in case of emergency (e.g. fire, etc.)

and good answers too

Being an ex-student of Heriot-Watt University in Dubai, I want to answers your 21 questions!

First of all you have 22 QUESTIONS!! 3 is counted twice!

1) Dont know about the door so wont bother.

2) Maybe if you start being more polite to the library staff ( and not make noise in the library) they may not be as mardy!

3) The university has a day where it takes alot of students to the gym! so that is your option! and if your really into getting fit, join a gym outside university, near your house, especially if you live in Bur Dubai or Sharjah . I am sure you will get a good deal too!

3) Valid point because you should never water grass when the sun is out

4) What do you really want the auditorium for ? to make more noise in ?

5) In the last few years, we had these clubs and practices were done and awards were won!

6) If you dont want to pay for printing BUY a printer at home ! it isnt expensive!!!

7) If you are regularly booking a court, might as well make a few copies outside uni ? 10-15 copies for AED 1...

I understand you may need the sounds on your computer but having multiple computers and different sounds out of each would create more noise and chaos!

9) Do you own computer/laptop at home ? how about work on those at home or bring them to university!

10) the university cant accomodate lockers for 2000+ students (thats increasing each year)

11) the pool/billiards tables are for entertainment purposes only its not a Billiards cafe!

12) take care of your belongings, dont leave them unattended.

13) (learn english ? ) If your in the lab working along with fellow classmates, how about ask them to throw away whatever is not required. and if it bothers you so much just throw it in the bin yourself ?

14) No comments really. they could shut them.

15) What kind of lecturing were you hoping for when you joined the university ? there are no site-visits. live with it!

16) dont know about this cat! but hope not many were affected!

17) Just have patience and wait for your grades! (study more before the exam so your not worried to find out if your passed or not)

18) Clearly a bad impression. (people wont quit smoking. you cant change that sorry)

19) how about use the stairs ? your probably not even 20 yet!

20) If your really into working on your projects, I am sure spending a bit wont harm you

21) I dint see the labs when I visited the university but Those things are expensive if your really worried about your own safety!

sh249 wrote:

10, In the Old campus, the 4th year students had lockers. THAT was understandable, since they may have alot of books or equipment and such. But, honestly, i think its best to provide them for Everyone.

-----4th years dint hav a locker in d old campus!!