University of Al Dhaid making major strides towards goals: Sultan

His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, President of the University of Al Dhaid (UoAD), chaired the Board of Trustees meeting on Monday.

Sheikh Sultan affirmed that the university is making steady progress towards its goals, highlighting that recent achievements across various agricultural and veterinary domains are advancing rapidly, demonstrating the strength and quality of the university’s academic programmes and the students’ excellence in science and research.

He pointed out that the universities in Sharjah did not begin from scratch. They sought to take advantage of the specialised programmes offered by global universities with advanced academic quality. These universities had students who achieved excellent results by signing academic agreements and attracting internationally accredited programmes.

This approach allows Sharjah’s universities to keep improving these programs and build on them effectively. This, in turn, benefits students’ scientific research and enhances the quality of higher education outcomes.

The Ruler of Sharjah stressed the importance of ongoing improvement in education and the continuous search for the best academic and scientific practices to achieve the best outcomes. He noted that Sharjah’s universities have secured a prominent spot among educational institutions in the region. This is evident in the quality of their published scientific research, which has been recognised by specialised international organisations.

Additionally, these universities have made significant contributions through their strong academic and research presence. They have also played a key role in training skilled nationals with the knowledge needed to serve key sectors and support future development plans.

The Board discussed several agenda items related to the university’s administrative and educational development plans and reviewed the performance of the various committees to enhance institutional efficiency and support the university’s future plans.

The Board also reviewed the university’s achievements during the past period, including developing the educational and applied infrastructure for academic programmes, most notably the mobile veterinary clinic and the smart farm, in addition to improving the educational environment for students, providing modern facilities and equipment that contribute to raising the efficiency of practical and research training, which aligns with the university’s goals of preparing specialised staff to support the agricultural and veterinary sectors while achieving sustainability and food security.

The BoT also discussed cooperation with several prestigious universities to offer dual programmes in specialised fields, as well as presenting summer training programs for students, including a programme for students from the College of Agriculture at the Royal University of Agriculture in the United Kingdom in summer 2026.

Dr Aisha Ahmed Bushlaibi, Chancellor of the University of Al Dhaid, reviewed a summary of the university’s key achievements from the past period. This includes the accreditation of the Skills Development Centre as a professional development centre by an accredited organisation in the United Kingdom. It also highlights the university’s scientific research accomplishments during the academic year.

The Board looked over the reports from the Finance, Academic, Internal Audit, and Compliance Committees, as well as the Financial Resources Development Committee. These reports show their work over the past period. The Board also checked the progress of teaching, research, and administrative processes.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Sheikh Sultan visited the student exhibition, which highlights several research projects and initiatives that tackle issues of sustainability, food security, and veterinary health, featuring modern technologies and artificial intelligence in agriculture and animal care.

He listened to explanations about different projects focused on improving soil quality and reducing water use. There are solutions for treating crop damage after harvest using natural materials.

WAM