Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed Endorses Strategic Plan And Budget For The University Of Sharjah

The University of Sharjah has been commended for its impressive achievements and international recognition by Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and President of the University. During the 57th meeting of the University's Board of Trustees, Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed highlighted the university's esteemed status at a local, regional, and global level. He attributed this success to the unwavering support and dedicated efforts put into the development of the university across all disciplines.

The University of Sharjah has earned its place among the top universities worldwide, as evidenced by its rankings in prestigious publications such as Times Higher Education, QS, and the Shanghai Global Ranking of Academic Subjects in clinical specialties. Additionally, the university leads the nation in terms of the number of research papers published and citations in global databases.

During the meeting, the board approved the university's budget for the academic year 2024/2025, amounting to Dh1.171 billion. Furthermore, the graduation of 1,865 students who fulfilled their requirements in the spring semester of 2023/2024 was also approved. Among the graduates were 56 doctoral students, 294 master's students, 18 postgraduate diploma students, and 1,497 bachelor's degree recipients.

The board's approval extended to the establishment of several specialized centers, including the "Sharjah Smart Centre for Weather and Climate Change Risk Management," the "Water and Environmental Conservation Research Centre," and the "Sharjah Centre for Public Opinion Polls". In addition, the title of Emeritus Professor was introduced.Strategic plans for 2024-2030 were also given the green light during the meeting. These plans aim to further localize administrative and academic jobs, increase the number of master's and doctoral degree holders starting in September 2024, and attract distinguished scholars and researchers. One notable initiative in the plan is the "National Scholars" program, which aims to enroll outstanding Emirati bachelor's degree holders, with the goal of having over 500 scientists in various fields by 2050.

The meeting also saw the promotion of 24 faculty members, with 11 being promoted to the rank of Professor and 13 to the rank of Associate Professor. Additionally, academic accreditation procedures were initiated for several new programs, including a PhD in Diabetes and Obesity, a Master of Science in Building Engineering, a Master of Science in Financial Technology, a Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Practices, and a Master of Science in Mathematics for Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence.

Dr. Hamid Majoul Al Nuaimi, Chancellor of the University of Sharjah, presented a comprehensive report on the university's performance and achievements in previous academic years. The report highlighted the university's success in meeting performance indicators and preparing for the upcoming strategic plan based on assessment results and emerging opportunities and challenges.

The strategic plan for 2024-2030 focuses on significantly increasing the localization of academic and administrative positions, developing and enhancing the skills of Emirati staff, doubling the number of Emirati academic researchers, and providing more training opportunities. The plan also aims to elevate the university's global ranking to be among the top 200 universities. It emphasizes research collaboration with the industrial sector, impactful and applied research benefiting the Sharjah community and the UAE, comprehensive digital transformation, integration of advanced technologies, interdisciplinary programs, and alumni engagement.

The University of Sharjah stands out for offering the largest number of academic programs in the country, with 75% of them having received international accreditation. Currently, the university offers 130 programs, including more than half for doctoral and master's degrees. An additional 28 programs are currently being developed and seeking academic accreditation.

The university places great importance on reviewing and updating programs and courses to align with the skills and competencies required by the business and industrial sectors. It actively supports the strategic plans of the state and the initiatives of the Ministry of Education, with a focus on achieving educational competencies and skills and promoting student exchange.

Efforts to develop and upgrade the university's infrastructure, learning resources, information technology, laboratories, classrooms, student services, and cooperation agreements with local, regional, and global universities and organizations were also highlighted in the report.

The University of Sharjah's Board of Trustees meeting was attended by prominent individuals, including government officials, representatives from various departments, and distinguished international figures in academia. Their presence and involvement demonstrate the commitment to the university's progress and development at all levels.