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RAK Women’s College bans mobile phones with cameras
RAS AL KHAIMAH - In order to create a safe environment for studies inside its campus, the RAK Women’s College (RWC) has banned the use of mobile phone cameras inside the campus.
“Since each of the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) is allowed to determine on its local policy, we have decided to prohibit the use of cell phones with in-built cameras inside the college premises,” said Dr Ian W. Hall, Director of RWC.
The Dubai Women’s College has prohibited the use of all types of cell phones on campus, he told Khaleej Times.
In the recent past, some mischievous people have started using such devices to take photos of women and circulate them through the Internet or cell phone without their permission. This issue has recently become a matter of great concern for the conservative societies of the AGCC countries and the Middle East in general, particularly in Saudi Arabia.
“Some of our students have voiced their concern that their photos might be taken without their knowledge and used in inappropriate ways.” he added.
“To be fair with our students and to help them contact their families in any time we have permitted them to use the cell phones that don’t have cameras,” Dr Hall added.
When asked if the college authorities have caught any students red-handed using such mobiles, Dr Hall said: “Yes we caught someone last week but she convinced us that she didn’t use it for any wrong purpose. Because of her explanation, the student was suspended from studying till the end of Eid and a warning letter was issued to her."
Dr Hall warned, saying: “We will not be lenient and the it will be regarded as a very serious offence and treated seriously."
The new policy stipulates that if a student is seen using a mobile phone camera the device will be confiscated and the students will either be suspended or even dismissed.
“I want to put it across very plainly that any student who actually uses a camera on campus will be in danger of having his enrolment terminated,” he said.
The RWC has around 945 students that study in 12 different programmes. Interviewed by Khaleej Times, a cross-section of the college’s administrative staff and students voiced their unanimous agreement to the new policy.
Amal Al Qassimi, Students’ Services and Activities Coordinator, said: “This decision should have been taken last year because of the many verbal complaints we have received from both parents and students in this regard."
She also stressed the importance of fostering strong ties between the students and the staff to control such untoward incidents.
She also pointed out that if such decision had not been taken, it might have affected the students’ academic career.
"We are not against the use of different technological advancements we are witnessing today, but we are trying to restrain the misuse of these technologies by some people," she said.
Amal Al Qassimi said that there was a need for public awareness campaigns to be organised to make students aware about such issues, which might have had an enormous impact and endanger the social security.
Saeed Abualreesh, Community and External Relations Coordinator, said: “The misuse of these technological equipment is a matter of concern for the college administration and needs to be seriously addressed. The decision was based on the requests of the students and their parents alike and proves the RWC is keen to provide its students with a conducive atmosphere to follow their studies without jeopardising their personal privacy."
“We have heard some rumours of such naughty behaviour circulating outside the college’s campus, which we didn’t come across here," Hayat Mohammed, President of RWC Students’ Council (SC), said.
She also didn’t agree with those who say that the new policy might restrict students’ personal freedom.
“On the contrary it will help us maintain our privacy and give us more freedom to express ourselves freely inside the campus.”
Hayat also insisted that we as students should learn to respect the rules and strictly abide by them once they are enforced.
Norah Saif Al Mazrooi said: "I was very displeased when the new policy was declared but after thinking about it carefully I realised that it’s a very wise decision and I immediately replaced my new mobile camera with anther one.”
Jamyylah Saeed Al Mazrooi also stressed that all her colleagues support the new policy, which is meant to provide us with a more secure atmosphere for our studies.
Asma Subaa, SC Marketing and Media Coordinator, said: “I think one person's freedom ends where other person's freedom starts and I think by taking my personal photo without my permission, it is a stark violation of my freedom and breach of privacy. When I read the new policy I felt more safe and comfortable inside the campus and all my fears vanished.”
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