Sharjah Maritime Academy and Heriot-Watt University sign MoU to advance Academic Cooperation and Research Excellence

Sharjah Maritime Academy (SMA) and Heriot-Watt University  have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen academic collaboration, research development, and professional training between the two institutions.

The MoU was signed at the Sharjah Maritime Academy campus in Khorfakkan by Dr. Hashim Al Zaabi, the Chancellor of SMA and Professor Dame Heather McGregor, Provost and Vice Principal of Heriot-Watt University Dubai, in the presence of senior leaders from SMA, Prof. Syamantak Bhattacharya, Provost & Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Prof. Saud Aldajah, Dean of International Transport and Logistics College  and Heriot-Watt University, Professor Chris Turney, Professor Lynne Jack, Dr. Shereen Nassar and Dr. Ross Curran. The agreement establishes a framework for cooperation in faculty development, research supervision, teaching exchange, and joint academic initiatives, supporting the UAE’s vision to enhance innovation, education quality, and sustainable industry partnerships.

Under this agreement, Heriot-Watt University faculty will support staff development sessions at Sharjah Maritime Academy, while both institutions will explore opportunities for joint research, co-supervision of projects, and teaching collaboration. The partnership further reflects both institutions’ commitment to identifying additional areas of mutual benefit in the future.

Dr. Hashim Al Zaabi, Chancellor of Sharjah Maritime Academy, stated: “This MoU reflects SMA’s commitment to building international academic partnerships that enhance learning outcomes and applied research in the maritime field. Our collaboration with Heriot-Watt University—an institution globally recognized for academic excellence—supports our mission to prepare future maritime professionals equipped with the knowledge, leadership, and innovation skills required to serve the UAE and the wider region.”

Professor Dame Heather McGregor, said: “We are pleased to collaborate with Sharjah Maritime Academy, a pioneering institution in the region’s maritime education landscape. At Heriot-Watt University, we value partnerships with organisations that share our vision for excellence in innovation and real-world impact. This collaboration brings together the strengths of both institutions to advance research exchange, faculty collaboration and professional development in line with the UAE’s vision for sustainable, knowledge-based growth. We look forward to building on this partnership and seeing the positive outcomes it will create for our students, our faculty and the wider community.”The signing reinforces Sharjah Maritime Academy’s growing role as a national hub for maritime education and research. Based in Khorfakkan, SMA is the UAE’s first specialized higher education institution dedicated to maritime studies, offering Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA)-approved bachelor’s programs in Maritime Transport, Marine Engineering, and Maritime Logistics and Supply Chain Management. Through partnerships with international universities and industry organizations, SMA continues to develop pathways that connect academic excellence with real-world industry experience.

Heriot-Watt University  was founded in the UK in 1821and in 2005 became one of the  first international universities to set up in the UAE. The Universitybringing more than two centuries of heritage in research-led education. Its collaboration with SMA underscores a shared vision of empowering students, fostering innovation, and driving impactful research that supports national priorities in education, technology, and sustainability.

The MoU signing marks the beginning of a series of joint initiatives that will further enhance academic exchange, professional training, and innovation-driven collaboration between both institutions.                                                        

About Sharjah Maritime Academy (SMA)

Sharjah Maritime Academy (SMA) is the United Arab Emirates’ first specialized higher education institution dedicated to maritime education, training, and research. Established under the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, the Academy operates with financial and administrative independence under the Government of Sharjah.

Located in Khorfakkan, SMA offers Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA)-approved bachelor’s degree programs in Maritime Transport, Marine Engineering, and Maritime Logistics and Supply Chain Management. Its academic model combines theoretical learning with advanced simulator-based training and practical experience, equipping future maritime professionals with the knowledge and skills to support the UAE’s growing maritime and logistics sectors.

Through strategic national and international partnerships, SMA continues to advance its role as a regional center of excellence for maritime education, innovation, and applied research.

About Heriot-Watt University Dubai

As the first British university to set up a campus in Dubai in 2005, Heriot-Watt University Dubai established itself as a pioneer in the higher education market in the UAE. The University’s reputation for world-class teaching and practical, cutting-edge research, combined with its strong links to business and industry, has seen it attract a thriving population of undergraduate and postgraduate students over the last two decades.

It offers an extensive range of programmes, distributed across six academic schools. Heriot-Watt graduates are highly employable and sought after by the best organisations worldwide, seeing over 90% of alumni taking graduate-level jobs or further study within six months of graduation.

For more information, please visit https://www.hw.ac.uk/dubai.htm