The Top 10 Lists

10.The first film's screenwriters Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman were brought back for this film. They had originally turned down writing because they had a busy schedule, but when the studio approached other writers and found their ideas unimpressive, they were convinced to return.

 

9. On July 27, 2008, Shia LaBeouf and Isabel Lucas were involved in a car crash, with LaBeouf having his hand injured and in need of surgery. Thankfully, production was delayed by only two days after the accident: Michael Bay made up for it by filming second unit scenes, and LaBeouf recovered a few weeks earlier than expected, allowing him to return to the set. Bay had suggested the hand injury will be written into the story, but Roberto Orci said rewrites were done to protect his hand for the remainder of the shoot.

 

8. A Pontiac Solstice sportscar was spotted on the set during filming. This car was the alternate mode of the Autobot Jazz, who appeared in the first film.

 

7. Wheelie's robot mode pays homage to WALL·E (2008), another robot film. Both robots have elongated necks, binocular eyes and ; both are servants that eventually make their own decisions.

 

6. Shooting for the submarine scenes of the movie was conducted on the USS Topeka stationed at Point Loma Submarine Base in San Diego, CA. Some of the extras for the scenes were actual US Navy sailors.

 

5.The Autobot Arcee was originally meant to appear in the first film, but was replaced with Ironhide since the writers thought the issue of robot gender a difficult one to explain. Afterwards they thought it could just be ignored and have Arcee in the film to please her fans. However, Arcee's alternate mode was felt to be too small to do her character justice, so she was given two partners (named Chromia and Moonracer) and the trio were made Combiners.

 

4. The Shanghai Skirmish was shot at the Bethlehem Steel site in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and in Long Beach, California.

 

3. During production, Michael Bay attempted to create a misinformation campaign to increase debate over what Transformers would be appearing in the film, as well as to try to throw fans off from the story of the film. However, Roberto Orci confessed it had generally not been working.

 

2. From the original voice cast of "Transformers" (1984), only Peter Cullen and Charles Adler took part in the first film. However, after listening to feedback from TFans, the filmmakers elected to bring in more of the show's voice actors. In addition to Cullen and Adler, they brought back Susan Blu, Michael Bell and Rob Paulsen, and especially brought back veteran voice artist Frank Welker to reprise his role as the voice of Soundwave, the most loyal soldier to Megatron.

 

1. In an interview with Shia LaBeouf', he claimed the college scenes were part of his personal dream: "I wanted to go to college and I was going to go. I had my backpack picked out, all my cool little pump-up pencils and stuff; I was ready. And at the last minute a guy named Steven Spielberg called up and had a plan for other things. I decided to listen to Spielberg as opposed to listening to myself. But still, even though I've done these movies and I'm very fortunate and blessed to have done them, I always feel lesser, intellectually - I always feel like anytime I'm around anybody who's gone to school they have a superiority you know about them. It's just one of those insecurities I'll deal with for the rest of my life unless I go to school."

 

Source: Movie Trivia

10. Palm Trilogy

The Palm Jumeirah is an artificial island created using land reclamation by Nakheel, a company owned by the Dubai government. It is one of three islands called The Palm Islands which extend into the Persian Gulf, increasing Dubai’s shoreline by a total of 520 km. The Palm Jumeirah is the smallest and the original of three Palm Islands (Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira) under development by Nakheel. It is located on the Jumeirah coastal area of the emirate of Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

 

9. Burj Dubai

Burj Dubai (Arabic: برج دبي‎ "Dubai Tower") is a supertall skyscraper under construction in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and is the tallest man-made structure ever built, despite being incomplete. Construction began on 21 September 2004, and the tower is expected to be completed and ready for occupancy by September 2009.

 

The building is part of the 2 km2 (0.8 sq mi) development called "Downtown Burj Dubai" at the "First Interchange" along Sheikh Zayed Road at Financial Centre Road (previously known as Doha Street). The tower's architect is Adrian Smith, who worked with Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM) until 2006. The Chicago-based architecture and engineering firm SOM is in charge of the project. The primary builders are Samsung Engineering & Construction and Besix along with Arabtec. Turner Construction Company was chosen as the construction manager.

 

The total budget for the Burj Dubai project is about US$4.1 billion, and for the entire new "Downtown Dubai", US$20 billion. Mohamed Ali Alabbar, the CEO of Emaar Properties, speaking at the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat 8th World Congress, said that the price of office space at Burj Dubai had reached $4,000 per sq ft (over $43,000 per m2) and that the Armani Residences, also in Burj Dubai, were selling for US$3,500 per sq ft (over $37,500 per m2).

 

8. Business Bay

Business Bay (Arabic: الخليج التجاري‎) is a central business district under construction in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The project features numerous skyscrapers located in an area where Dubai Creek will be dredged and extended. Business Bay will have upwards of 230 buildings, attracting commercial and residential developments.

 

7. Dubai Sports City

The Dubai Sports City is a $4 billion, 50,000,000 square feet (4,600,000 m2) mixed-use sports city currently being constructed in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The city will consist of apartment buildings as well as several sports facilities. The first structures are due to open in late 2007. Many people believed it was going to be used in Dubai's possible bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympics, but Dubai never submitted a bid.

 

Dubai Properties is master developer of this project for infrastructure . The project expected to be complete in 2011.

 

6. Mall of Arabia

Mall of Arabia is a shopping mall to be built as part of the City of Arabia in the Dubailand theme park premises in Dubai. It was announced by the Ilyas and Mustafa Galadari Group and will include leisure and entertainment facilities, a theatre stage, and feature an ancient Middle Eastern exterior. Its Phase 1 has a gross leasable area of 4,000,000 sq ft (370,000 m2); however, when all phases are completed, it will have a final gross leasable area of 10,000,000 sq ft (930,000 m2), surpassing the South China Mall in Dongguan, China, and the SM Mall of Asia in Manila, Philippines as the world's largest shopping mall. It has two levels of retail and entertainment, rooftop hotels and numerous leisure facilities. There will be 10,400 covered car park spaces in its first phase.

 

In August 2005 the Starbucks Coffee Co. of Seattle, Washington announced that the world's largest Starbucks cafe will be built in the centre court of the mall, symbolizing the Middle East's long association with coffee and the expanding business partnership between Starbucks and the growing Dubai marketplace.

 

5. Dubailand

Dubailand is an entertainment complex under development in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, which is owned by Tatweer (which belongs to Dubai Holding). Construction of Dubailand has been divided into four phases. Work is currently being carried out on phase one of the project which is expected to see completion some time between 2008 and 2010.

 

4. Dubai Internet City

Dubai Internet City (DIC; Arabic: مدينة دبي للإنترنت‎) is an information technology park created by the Government of Dubai as a free economic zone and a strategic base for companies targeting regional emerging markets. The economic rules of DIC allow companies to avail themselves of a number of ownership, taxation and custom related benefits which are guaranteed by law for a period of 50 years. One model of operation includes 100% foreign ownership, similar to those prevailing in other designated economic zones in the United Arab Emirates. These freedoms have led many global information technology firms, such as Microsoft, IBM, Oracle Corporation, Sun Microsystems, Cisco, HP, Nokia and Siemens, Nera Telecom, as well as UAE based companies such as i-mate, Acette, to move their regional base to the DIC. DIC is located adjacent to other industrial clusters such as Dubai Media City and Dubai Knowledge Village.

 

DIC presently has over one and half million square feet of prime commercial office space, in which over 850 companies with over 10,000 workers are based. In March 2008, DIC announced a rent hike of 25% for leases signed after June 2008. The government imposes a rent cap of 5% on private landlords, but exempts its own projects from the law. It is claimed that the rent is still below the market rate, but this is in a city that proudly boasts that it will soon have the most expensive office rents in the world.

 

3. Dubai Marina

Dubai Marina (Arabic: مرسى دبي‎, also called Dubai Marina Arabic: دبي مرينا‎) is a district in the heart of what has recently become known as 'new Dubai', in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is located at 25°4′52.86″N 55°8′38.67″E / 25.08135°N 55.144075°E / 25.08135; 55.144075 on Interchange 5 between Jebel Ali Port and the area which hosts Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City and the American University in Dubai. The first phase of this project has been completed. Dubai Marina was inspired by and designed to model the highly successful Concord Pacific Place development along False Creek in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

The marina is entirely man-made and has been developed by the real estate development firm Emaar Properties of the United Arab Emirates. The marina will contain over 200 high-rise buildings and some supertall skyscrapers, Dubai Marina Towers, The Torch Dubai Marina, Infinity Tower, The Princess Tower,Marina 101,Marina 106,Pentominium, Tamani Hotel Marina, Marina Terrace, Le Rêve (Dubai) and Horizon Tower to name a few, and comprise an area of 4.9 million m² (50 million ft²), which includes the 40 residential and hotel towers of the Jumeirah Beach Residence. Upon completion, it is claimed to be the world's largest man-made marina. Unlike other parts of Dubai there is a publicly accessible foreshoreway around the marina and some sections of public oceanway along the beach with views to Palm Jumeriah. The current largest man-made marina in the world is Marina del Rey in California, USA.

 

2. The World

The World is a man-made archipelago of 300 islands constructed in the shape of a world map and located four kilometres off the coast of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The World is one of several artificial island developments in Dubai. Like the other artificial island projects such as the Palm Islands, The World was built primarily using sand dredged from the sea. Development was by Nakheel Properties and originally conceived by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai.

 

Islands in the archipelago range from about 14,000 square metres (150,000 sq ft) to 42,000 square metres (450,000 sq ft). Distance between islands is an average of 100 metres. The entire development covers an area 9 km in length and 6 km in width, surrounded by an oval breakwater. Roughly 232 kilometres (144 mi) of shoreline were created. Overall development cost of The World was estimated to be $14 billion USD in 2005. As for individual islands, prices have ranged between $15 and $50 million USD with one island offered for sale at a price of $250 million USD.

 

The project was unveiled in May 2003 by Sheikh Mohammed and dredging began four months later in September 2003. By January 2008, 60% of the islands were sold, 20 of which were bought in the first four months of 2007. On 10 January 2008 the final stone on the breakwater was laid, completing development of the archipelago. Commercial and residential properties are being constructed on purchased islands.

 

Newspaper reports in 2009 suggested that work on The World had been suspended due to the effects of the global financial crisis.

 

1. Burj Al Arab

The Burj Al Arab (Arabic: برج العرب‎,Tower of the Arabs) is a luxury hotel located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. At 321 m (1,050 ft), it is the second tallest building in the world used exclusively as a hotel. However, the structure of the unfinished Ryugyong Hotel in Pyongyang, North Korea is 9 m (30 ft) taller than the Burj Al Arab, and the Rose Tower, also in Dubai, topped Burj Al Arab's height at 333 m (1,090 ft), becoming the world's tallest hotel. The Burj Al Arab stands on an artificial island 280 m (920 ft) out from Jumeirah beach, and is connected to the mainland by a private curving bridge. It is an iconic structure, designed to symbolize Dubai's urban transformation and to mimic the sail of a boat.

Source: Wiki

10. The Katana

The katana (刀) is a type of Japanese sword (日本刀, nihontō), and is often called a "samurai sword." The term katana may be applied to the standard size moderately curved (as opposed to the older "tachi" style featuring more curvature) Japanese sword with a blade length of greater than 60 cm (23.6 inches). The term is sometimes incorrectly used as a generic name for any kind of Japanese sword. In Portuguese the designation (spelled catana-perhaps delineated from the Japanese word when Portuguese traders first arrived in Japan) refers to a slightly shorter and wider blade, commonly used to clear paths through dense jungle, or to otherwise cut down wild vegetation.

 

9. The Wakizashi

The wakizashi (Kanji: 脇差 Hiragana: わきざし) (meaning "side arm") is a traditional Japanese sword with a shōtō blade between 30 and 60 cm (12 and 24 inches), with an average of 50 cm (20 inches). It is similar to but shorter than a katana, and usually shorter than the kodachi ("small sword"). The wakizashi was usually worn together with the katana by the samurai or swordsmen of feudal Japan. When worn together the pair of swords were called daishō, which translates literally as "large and small". The katana was often called the sword or the long sword and the wakizashi the companion sword.

 

8. The Tanto

A tantō (短刀, "short sword") is a common Japanese single or, occasionally, double edged knife or dagger with a blade length between 15 and 30 cm (6-12 inches). The tantō was designed primarily as a stabbing weapon, but the edge can be used for slashing as well. Tantō first began to appear in the Heian period, however these blades lacked any artistic quality and were purely weapons. In the early Kamakura period high-quality artistic tantō began to appear, and the famous Yoshimitsu (the greatest tantō maker in Japanese history) began his forging. Tantō production increased greatly around the Muromachi period and then declined in the Shintō period ("new sword" period). Consequently, Shintō period tantō are quite rare. They regained popularity in the Shin-Shintō Period ("new-new sword" period) and production increased.

 

7. The Jo

A jō (杖:じょう) is an approximately 1.276 m (4.18 foot) long wooden staff, used in some Japanese martial arts. The martial art of wielding the jō is called jōjutsu or jōdō. Also, aiki-jō is a set of techniques in aikido which uses the jō to illustrate aikido's principles with a weapon. The jō staff is shorter than the bō. Today, the jō is still used by some Japanese police forces.

 

6. The Tonfa

The tonfa (Japanese: トンファー), also known as tong fa or tuifa, is a traditional Okinawan weapon from which the modern side-handled police baton is derived.

 

5. The Shuriken

Shuriken (Japanese 手裏剣; literally: "sword hidden in the hand") is a traditional Japanese concealed weapon that were generally for throwing, and sometimes stabbing or slashing. They are sharpened hand-held blades made from a variety of everyday items such as needles, nails, and knives, as well as coins, washers, and other flat plates of metal. Shuriken were mainly a supplemental weapon to the more commonly used katana (sword) or yari (spear) in a warrior's arsenal, though they often played a pivotal tactical role in battle. The art of wielding the shuriken is known as shuriken-jutsu, and was mainly taught as a minor part of the martial arts curriculum of many famous schools, such as Yagyu Ryu, Katori Shinto Ryu, Itto Ryu, Kukishin Ryu, and Togakure Ryu. In the modern western world, shuriken can often be purchased online as collector's items, but in some countries owners must possess a certificate for possession of knives.

 

4. The Naginata

Naginata (なぎなた, 薙刀) is a pole weapon that was traditionally used in Japan by members of the samurai class. It has become associated with women and in modern Japan it is studied by women more than men; whereas in Europe and Australia Naginata is practiced predominantly by men - this is however only simply a reflection of the martial arts demographics of Europe, where there is no historical association - as there is in Japan - that naginatajutsu is for women. A naginata consists of a wood shaft with a curved blade on the end; it is similar to the Chinese Guan Dao or European glaive or Russian sovnya. Usually it also had a sword-like guard (tsuba) between the blade and shaft.

 

3. The Jutte

The Jutte or Jitte (十手), literally meaning "ten-hand" (i.e., the weapon with the power of ten hands), is a specialized weapon which was used by law enforcement officers (called okapiki or doshin) during Edo period Japan. Nowadays, the jutte is the subject of the Japanese martial art of juttejutsu.

 

2. The Nunchaku

Nunchaku (English: nunchuck) (Japanese: ヌンチャク Nunchaku.ogg listen (help·info); 双截棍, sōsetsukon "Paired Sections Staff"; 梢子棍, Shōshikon "Boatman's staff"; Chinese: 雙截棍 / 双截棍, Pinyin: shuāng jié gùn, Jyutping: soeng1 zit3 gwan3; 兩截棍 / 两截棍, liǎng jié gùn "Dual Section Staff"; 二截棍 / 二截棍 èr jié gùn "Two Section Staff"; Korean: 쌍절곤 ssang jul gon "Twin Joined Sticks"; also colloquially called "nunchucks," "numchuks," "nunchukas," "chucks," "chain sticks," etc.) is a traditional weapon of the Kobudo weapons set and consists of two sticks connected at their ends with a short chain or rope.

 

1.  The Yumi

Yumi (弓) is the Japanese term for bows, and includes the longbow, Daikyū and the shortbow, hankyū) used in the practice of kyūdō, or Japanese archery. The yumi is exceptionally tall (standing over two meters), surpassing the height of the archer (ite 射手). They are traditionally made by laminating bamboo, wood and leather, using techniques which have not changed for centuries, although some archers (particularly beginners) may use a synthetic yumi. The construction used may be a Japanese development of the laminated bows widely used for centuries across Northern Eurasia and in Jōmon times in Japan.

Sources: Wiki

10. Sultan Qaboos University

Sultan Qaboos University is the realization of the promise announced by His. Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said during the 10th anniversary of Oman’s National Day in 1980. Construction started in 1982 and the first Sultan Qaboos University students were enrolled in 1986. In accordance with the Royal Directives of His Majesty, The University commenced with five colleges; namely Medicine, Engineering, Agriculture, Education and Science. Furthermore the College of Arts was established in 1987, following the College of Commerce and Economics which was developed in 1993. The College of Law joined the University in 2006 and finally the College of Nursing was established in 2008.

 

The design and construction of the campus was carried out with great attention to the fulfillment of these objectives, with the overall appearance of the buildings carefully planned to accommodate the physical, intellectual, and spiritual needs of students, faculty and staff.

 

Set in a valley beneath the stark panorama of the nearby foothills of the Oman Mountains, the University is a tasteful array of buildings designed with arches and courtyards and constructed in white and pink sandstone in a manner that reflects traditional Omani and Islamic architecture. The University was constructed on an axis in the valley with one end aligned toward Mecca.

 

This axis line starts at the gates of entrance to the University, runs through the Administration Building with its massive Omani doors, and extends uninterrupted through the middle of the academic buildings to the University Mosque at the western end of the campus. The Mosque, with its large dome and minarets, is situated on the higher ground of the campus, and is visible from many points within and around the University.

 

During the design period, the University landscaping was carefully considered and the original plantings have since become verdant gardens and flower beds. The plantings include species, native to Oman and other Gulf regions, that grow and flourish in an arid environment. The landscaping provides shade from the sun, shelter against the wind, and splendid display of colour from flowers and foliage throughout the year.

 

The traditional Islamic separation of the genders is maintained in the architecture of the University. There is separate access to buildings through lower and upper walkways for men and women and separate seating in the classrooms.

 

Altogether, the campus portrays the rich heritage of Oman and Islam while incorporating all the efficiencies of modern life. The result is an educational and living environment which is both functional and attractive.

 

9. Higher Colleges of Technology

The Higher Colleges of Technology is the largest higher educational institution in the United Arab Emirates with the current enrolment exceeding 16,000 students, all UAE nationals.

 

Since the establishment of its four founding colleges in 1988, the Higher Colleges of Technology have become well respected for innovative learning in the United Arab Emirates. Across the UAE today, in the cities of Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, Fujairah and the western region of Madinat Zayed and Ruwais, the sixteen HCT men's and women's modern campuses offer an impressive range of programs - more than 80 programs at four different credential levels - Diploma, Higher Diploma, Bachelor and Masters. More than 10,000 of the current students are female.

 

The HCT celebrated its 20th year of operations in 2007 with many strategic new initiatives to further expand and enhance its operations in quality and in increasing access. HCT has awarded 36,516 credentials to 25,236 graduates in its first two decades. These graduates have gone into the UAE employment market, making a significant impact on sustainable economic and social development of the country.

 

8. Tehran University of Medical Science

Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), is the largest and "most distinguished", and most highly ranked medical school of Iran. In september 2008 the health minister of Iran (Dr. Lankarani) called TUMS a pioneer in research throughout the country with a noticeable lead over counterparting universities.

Located in Tehran adjacent to the main University of Tehran campus, it was founded as part of Dar ol-Fonoon, and later absorbed into Tehran University in 1934.

 

It finally separated from Tehran University by parliamentary legislation in 1986.

 

TUMS today is ranked as one of Iran's top research universities, with an annual research budget of over 300 billion Rials from the government.

 

The school trains over 13,000 students (40% of which are women) in over 80 postgraduate programs.

The school operates 15 teaching hospitals, and is equipped with over 40 libraries, and publishes 26 journals.

 

Currently however, Tehran University of Medical Sciences publishes all its scientific research under the name "University of Tehran".

 

The university operates The National Museum of Medical Sciences History as well.

 

7. Al Quds University The Arab University in Jerusalem

Al-Quds University (Arabic: جامعة القدس‎) is a Palestinian university in Jerusalem. It was founded in 1984, but its official constitution was written in 1993 when Mohammed Nusseibeh, its first Chancellor and Chancellor of the College of Science and Technology, announced its formation.

 

Its founding constituent colleges included the colleges of Science and Technology, Paramedical Sciences, Arts and Religious Studies. Its School of Medicine, associated with the city's Maqasid hospital, was the first college to be founded directly under the banner of Al-Quds in 1993, and is the first Palestinian medical school. Al-Quds is governed by a Board of Trustees. The founding board was headed by Mohammed Nusseibeh and included Grand Mufti of Jerusalem Sheikh Ikrema Sabri, Adnan al-Husayni, Saeb Erekat and others as members. The first president, Hatem Husseini was followed by the current acting president, Sari Nusseibeh.

 

The University, the only Arab University in Jerusalem, provides higher education and community services within the Jerusalem area and to the neighboring towns, villages and refugee camps in the West Bank.

It has ten academic faculties on four campuses: Arts, Science and Technology, Medicine, Dentistry, Public Health, Law, Qur'an and Islamic Studies, Health Professions, Engineering, and Jurisprudence. These faculties accommodate more than six thousand students from the Jerusalem area and from the districts of Bethlehem, Hebron, Jenin, Jericho, Nablus, Ramallah and Tulkarem. The university continues to deliver educational services and engage students in positive learning experiences, so that they may envision and hope for a better future. The University maintains two Jerusalem campuses and administrative offices in the American Colony and in Beit Hanina, though since the Second Intifada many classes have been moved to other campuses in Abu Dis. Other campuses operate in al-Bireh next to Ramallah and Tubas.

 

The university faces a major, unprecedented financial and operational crisis brought about by the dire economic and social situation presently prevailing in the area. Steady subsidies are not available, and the university is unable to charge its students full tuition fees commensurate with real costs. Recent contributions from Arab governments alleviated the crisis somewhat, enabling the university to pay a portion of the salaries of its 723 support staff employees and faculty members. This temporary, one-time assistance made it possible to re-start the present academic year.

 

6. Sharif University of Technology

Sharif University of Technology (Persian: دانشگاه صنعتی شریف Dāneshgāh-e San'ati-ye Sharif) is a public university of technology, engineering and science in Iran. It is one of the most prominent science and engineering schools in the Middle East and in Iran. The university is located in Tarasht neighberhood of Tehran within the walking distance of Azadi Square, and has an international campus in Kish Island of Persian Gulf. The university is named after Majid Sharif Vaghefi, a former student who was killed in 1975.

Sharif University of Technology (SUT) provides both undergraduate and graduate programs in 14 main departments. The student body consists of 8000 undergraduate students and 1000 graduate students from all the 30 provinces. Funding for Sharif University is provided by the government, and in some part from investments of the industry. Undergraduate admission to Sharif is limited to the top 5% of students who pass the national entrance examination administered yearly by the Ministry of Culture and Higher Education. It was formerly named the Aryamehr University of Technology (Persian: دانشگاه صنعتی آریامهر Dāneshgāh-e San'ati-ye Āryāmehr).

 

5. Birzeit University Palestine

The institution was originally founded in 1924 by Nabiha Nasir as an elementary school for girls from Birzeit and the surrounding villages. It was one of the first schools in the area. In 1930, it became a co-educational secondary school, and in 1932 was renamed Birzeit Higher School.

 

In 1942, the name was changed to Birzeit College to be in harmony with its educational secondary level . In 1953, a freshman class was incorporated to Birzeit College, followed by a sophomore class in 1961.

BZU's official language is Arabic, though many courses are taught in English. The University follows a semester system, with two four-month semesters beginning in Autumn and Spring, and a shorter two-month semester in Summer.

 

4. United Arab Emirates University

United Arab Emirates University (in Arabic:جامعة الإمارات العربية المتحدة) was established in 1976, and is the oldest of the three government-sponsored institutions of higher learning in the United Arab Emirates compared to the Higher Colleges of Technology and Zayed University. The university is located in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.

 

3. American University of Beirut

The American University of Beirut (AUB; Arabic: الجامعة الأميركية في بيروت‎) is a private, independent university in Beirut, Lebanon. It was founded as the Syrian Protestant College by American missionary Daniel Bliss in 1866. The name was changed to the American University of Beirut on November 18, 1920. The university is popularly known as AUB.

 

Although AUB’s student body is primarily Lebanese, almost one-fifth of its students attended secondary school or university outside of Lebanon before coming to AUB.

AUB launched its YouTube Educational Channel in February 2008, following in the footsteps of universities such as UC Berkeley and MIT AUB Channel.

 

On March 21, 2008, the Board of Trustees selected Peter Dorman to be AUB's 15th president. He succeeded Dr. John Waterbury who was president of AUB from 1998 to 2008. Dr. Dorman is an international scholar in the field of Egyptology and formerly chaired the University of Chicago's Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations.

 

In June 2006, the number of degrees and diplomas awarded since June 1870 totaled 72,838.

 

2. University of Tehran

The University of Tehran (Persian: دانشگاه تهران), also known as Tehran University and UT, is the oldest and largest university of Iran. Its library is the largest in country. It is referred to (nicknamed) as "The mother university of Iran" (Persian: دانشگاه مادر). Important seminars are frequently held in this university. Located in Tehran, the university is among the most prestigious in Iran and the Middle East, and among the first options of applicants in the annual nationwide entrance exam for top Iranian universities. The school also admits students from all over the world and is known for its wide-ranging fields of research. UT offers 116 bachelor degree programs, 160 masters degree programs, and 120 Ph.D. degree programs.

 

The adjacent Tehran University of Medical Sciences, although administratively separate, shares the same main campus, and publishes all its scientific research under the name "University of Tehran".

 

1. King Fahd University of Petroleum and Mineral

King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM or UPM) (Arabic: جامعة الملك فهد للبترول و المعادن Ǧāmaʿat al-Malik Fahd Lilbetrūl wa al-Maʿādin - short:(جامعة البترول Ǧāmaʿat al-Betrūl) is a public university in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. It was established on 23 September 1963 by a Saudi Royal Decree as the "College of Petroleum and Minerals," providing high-level education about two of the most valuable natural resources in Saudi Arabia. It was given university status in 1975.

Sources: Wiki

We all know that domestic airlines are a vital part of a country’s transport system, especially in the case of the Philippine which is composed of island and islets. They serve as blood lines to the already fragile economy of the country, transporting goods/parcels of documents, business people, and travelers to the complex web of domestic air transport system in a country with archipelagic characteristics.

 

Because people depend on these airlines so much, some of them have become immune to customer complaints and dissatisfaction leaving no room for improvement.

 

These are my top 10 reasons why you should stay away from Cebu Pacific. The Philippines worst airline of all time.

10. No Snacks

Their advertorials says that they “believe that its time every Juan flies.” But because Cebu pacific provides the lowest possible airfare for “Juan”, they’ve decided that “Juan” will not have his snacks on his flights. But if ever Juan decides that he wants to have a snack, he’s gonna have to pay 100 pesos (current retail price 25 pesos) for a Cub Noodle and 50 pesos for a mineral water (current retail price 15 pesos). Now that’s what they call affordable!

9. Seats Are Damaged

Imagine that you are in a flight bound for Puerto Princesa for a business trip and you decide to doze off and you want to recline your seat in a comfortable angle. You start pushing the button but the seat just won’t recline. You call the flight attendant to inform her about your seat, and she just politely replies, “I’m sorry for the inconvenience sir, but you seat is broken.” You have no choice but to arrive in Puerto Princesa with an aching back and an “I’m pissed!” written all over your face.

8. No Newspapers or other Reading Materials

Every domestic airline provides local papers so that passengers can stay in touch with the local happenings. Unfortunately, when you fly Cebu Pacific, they don’t offer this one. Because they are committed to providing you with the lowest possible rates, they’ve decided to not include periodicals or other reading materials on their flights. Cebu pacific is the definition of cheap, and it’s not in a good way.

7. Cabin Crews are Clueless

Cabin crews are supposed to make your fight comfortable. But what happens when your flight crews are the source of your in-flight stress?

 

Excerpt panicqueen16:
1.Their flight attendants are ugly.
2. Their flight attendants are not courteous and not personable. (antipatika pa)

Excerpt Babel-Fish: On the 3rd April I traveled from Hong Kong to Manila by Cebu Pacific, the flight was on time and I had no trouble in obtaining my luggage.

But on the 4th I traveled on an early morning flight to Dumaguete airport I stayed in the airport overnight and signed in for my morning flight. The flight was delayed because of thunder clouds near Dumaguete City Negros Oriental. After an hour the crew went to board the aircraft and we where told the aircraft had been given clearance. Suddenly the crew returned to the gate and rush off. We where told they could not find the plane, lol

 

6. 45 minutes is 45 minutes

After a relaxing week in Puerto Pricessa, my cousin and his gang are ready to take on the challenges of work weeks ahead. But they’ve suddenly found out that dealing with Cebu Pacific time schedule is a challenge of its own. Their wits, argumentation skills, and self control have been tested when they arrived at the boarding gate of a Cebu Pacific flight.

A certain Marco Bolos, a Cebu Pacific employee denied my cousin and his gang to board the plane because he said “45 minutes is 45 minutes”. My cousin and his company arrived at the airport with minutes to spare. They can even buy a soda if they want to on their way to the gate to avoid Cebu Pacific’s “affordable in-flight snack rate”.

When they arrived at the gate, they were denied access because according to Cebu Pacific time, they were late. They argued and argued, but it the end; the crude argumentation skills of Mr. Bolos surpassed that of the most primeval person on earth. Logic and reason can’t get pass though his thick skull, requiring a lobotomy to screw some holes in his primitive brain-case so that he can at least have a sense of decency to hear some of the things my cousin wants to say to him. With an authoritative voice comparable to Marcos’ dictatorial manner, he uttered the words that even God himself can’t change, “45 minutes is 45 minutes”.

In the end, my cousin and his gang just proceeded to the ticketing station and bought another set of tickets. They fear that emotions might overrun their self control and gang up on Mr. Bolos.

The next day...

They arrived extra early to beat the Cebu Pacific “45 minutes is 45 minutes” rule. They were ushered to their seats and they were praying that they don’t experience another Mr. Bolos on their flight. Guess what? It’s not Mr. Bolos this time, but a flight attendant consciously violating the “45 minutes is 45 minutes” rule. She is escorting some people inside the aircraft minutes before the aircraft departs from the ports, with a smile on her face. How many time zones does Cebu Pacific has? It’s a question that even the most sought after physicist wont’ be able to answer. (I’ll bet one C2 drink costing up to 50 pesos each on a Cebu Pacific flight.)

For public service: This is Mr. Marco Bolos social networking account. If you experience his crude mentality, please don’t hesitate to add him and share him your thoughts. Good luck on that. I don’t see any head bandages suggesting lobotomy on his thick skull yet. But you can at least try.

5. Faulty Policies

Did you know that Cebu Pacific consciously overbook their flights to at least 15 people? If all reservations are filled, those unfortunate reservationist will be shuttled to a hotel for an overnight stay.

What if for example you are doctor and you have a save someone tonight in Manila, but the thing is you’ve been reserved to those overbooked planes. I guess your patient who needs a major heart transplant in Manila should wait another night hooked in ventilator until Cebu Pacific can decide you can fly. Or…

 

You can book another ticket to another air transport.

4. Delays

No further explanation required. Their delays are to the nth level. I’m guessing that they have “suki” accommodation in every area they serve for their infuriated passengers.

3. Online Booking Sucks

 

Take this one for example:

 

Excerpt Isapal: I booked a ticket online only to find out on the day I was to fly out at the airport that the booking got cancelled. As far as I'm concerned, when I book tickets online, give my credit card and receive a confirmation summary the transaction has gone through. That's how it is with any other airline and online transactions. However, Cebu Pac told me "Oh did you check with your credit card if you got charged? This transaction was just pending and did not go thru. For whatever reason, the transaction did not go thru.

 

2. You Might End Up in a Cheap Motel

Did I say hotel? Some of the clients of cebu pacific are booked in cheap motels. Ewww!

 

1. The Land and Flight Crews are Always Right

When you are flying Cebu Pacific, expect that your freedom of speech waived. You can’t argue with them because they are always right. If you don’t believe me, book a flight today.

Have a pleasant trip all! Because at Cebu Pacific, they don’t know why you fly!

Still not convinced? Click the links below for further reading.

Cebu Pacific - “YOU’RE SO DAING!!!”
Failed Cebu Pacific e-Ticketing
Cebu Pacific Sucks
Cebu Pacific – Always On Time or Always Delayed?
Cebu Pacific sucks!
Cebu Pacific Sucks!
Cebu Pacific FAIL.
Cebu Pacific Very Poor Services
Is Cebu Pacific hoodwinking its passengers into their empty flights?
My Cebu Pacific Experience

10. Director Guillermo del Toro turned down the chance to direct this film so he could work on Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008).

 

9. Helen McCrory had been cast to play Bellatrix Lestrange in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007), but had to back out because she was pregnant. She will play Bellatrix's sister, Narcissa Malfoy in this film.

 

8. Hero Fiennes-Tiffin has been cast as Tom Riddle, Age 11, while his uncle, Ralph Fiennes plays Lord Voldemort (formerly Tom Riddle). His parents are Martha Fiennes (Ralph's sister) and George Tiffin.

 

7. Quidditch at Hogwarts makes a grand (and much publicized) return, after being completely absent since the fourth installment.

 

6. The changing of the release date from November 21, 2008 to July 17, 2009 actually helped increase the number of IMAX theaters that Half-Blood Prince will be available in. The November release had only 40 IMAX theaters showing the film; that number has increase by 60 theaters for a total of 100 IMAX theaters releasing the film in July.

 

5. Director David Yates says that he hired Hero Fiennes-Tiffin to play the young Voldemort/Tom Riddle because of his resemblance to his uncle Ralph Fiennes (who plays Voldemort/Tom Riddle as an adult) but not specifically because he was the actor's nephew. He liked the dark haunted quality about the young actor.

 

4. In the movie we see a collapsing of the Millennium Bridge. This differs from the source book since the Millennium Bridge was built in 2000, and the plot of Half-Blood Prince takes place in 1996, according to J.K. Rowling. However, in the movies there are no references to which year the setting of the story takes place.

 

3. There is a scene in this movie in which Death Eaters, led by Bellatrix Lestrange (Helena Bonham Carter) and Fenrir Greyback (Dave Legeno), attack The Burrow where Harry, The Weasley's, Lupin, and Tonks are staying. This particular scene was not in the book but was made just for the movie to add excitement.

 

2. Two new scenes were added that do not appear in the book: The collapsing Millenium bridge (at the beginning of the film, and which appears in the Third Trailer) and the Death Eater attack at the Burrow (seen in the second trailer). An attack on a Muggle bridge is actually mentioned in the original opening of the book by Cornelius Fudge, but not shown.

 

1. J.K. Rowling read through the script for this film, and found a line where Dumbledore mentions a girl he had a crush on when he was younger. After reading it, she informed the filmmakers that Dumbledore is in fact gay, and that his only romantic infatuation was with the wizard Grindelwald, whom he later had to defeat in a wizard duel. She later made this information public while promoting the final book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

 

Sources: Movie Trivia, Mugglenet

Photo Credit: Warner Bros.