H.H. Emphasizes UAEU's Role in the Development of UAE
During a meeting with the administrative and academic leaders of United arab Emirates University (UAEU) at the new campus in Al Ain, H.H. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Chancellor of UAEU, stressed UAEU's commitment to representing the cultural achievements of UAE following the vision and expectations of H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President, and expressed his gratitude for his continuous support of the University’s mission and goals.
His Highness also expressed his appreciation to H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Their Highnesses Members of the Supreme Council and Rulers of the Emirates.
He also valued the support of H.H. Lieutenant General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, not only for his generosity in providing the University with this outstanding new campus but also for his continued appreciation of its role in the successful development of the UAE and preparation of the national cadre in many different fields of specialization.
The UAEU Chancellor stressed that UAEU’s movement to the new campus has enabled it to enter a new phase in its successful movement to become a truly world-class University. He indicated that the University now has all the fundamental resources to implement an ambitious program of development. He stated that such a program demands meticulous planning and thanked those who contributed in this effort during the last few months.
H.H. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak expressed his complete satisfaction regarding the plans set in motion which have his strongest support and assured that he will personally follow up the implementation of the plans that focus on strategic issues in general and those related to quality and excellence in education and research in particular.
During the gathering, Sheikh Nahayan commended the efforts of faculty members and staff in identifying the elements required to create a vibrant institutional culture of effectiveness for the University and for linking those elements to the standards of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
The Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research highlighted the advantages of the new plans which included high expectations of faculty performance and student academic achievements, improvements in education in undergraduate and graduate studies and the establishment of the University College and Graduate Studies College according to best international practices.
The new plans also focus on creating structures for an effective University research enterprise to include a Research and Technology Park, Research Centers, and Research Institutes. All of them will be launched and maintained at the highest levels of quality as well as the areas of communications and public relations, alumni relations and career planning and placement of graduates. The plans also stressed the improvement of all University operations, ensuring that the University’s organizational structure has clear responsibilities, open communications, and well-defined accountability, and using the University budget effectively to achieve clear goals and objectives that support the University’s mission.
The UAEU Chancellor defined a numbers of elements to achieve the anticipated goals which included faculty and staff commitment to continuously seek to learn, actively demonstrating the mental attitude expected in students, allocation of resources to support priorities and goals of the University, direct accreditation requirements to all aspects of the University operations, encourage individuals throughout the University to take initiatives that support the University’s mission and objectives, promote quality using every means available and to continually improve systems and operations in every unit of the University.
UAEU new plans focus mainly on raising the standards of education and research of the United Arab Emirates University and changing its educational environment by strengthening education and involving students in research, placing the University programs and services on an annual schedule of strategic planning and review, operational planning, budgeting, and evaluation; and to attain a high level of teamwork and cooperation among all employees.
Sheikh Nahayan stressed that the plans that have been developed since the movement to the new campus aim to make the United Arab Emirates University a truly Research-Intensive University of International Stature, one that includes both graduate and professional studies, and outstanding undergraduate education. These plans capture the essence of his aspirations for the University. When implemented, they will improve the quality of the University and advance its international reputation. Further, achievement of those objectives will assist the country in becoming a leading knowledge-based society and economy. He requested the concerned parties to implement the plans taking into consideration that setting very high objectives leads people to accomplish more than they thought possible. He indicated that the most important single component in achieving all goals is to hire outstanding faculty who have the established scholarly and research records expected for top ranked universities.
He also requested administrative and academic members to review and improve their strategy and plans for attracting these scholars/researchers to the University as well as to assess current faculty and staff and to identify those members who have the abilities and motivation to help achieve the vision for the future of UAEU.
He emphasized the importance of being alert to the changing needs and interests in the region and the world and stated that the University must move swiftly to meet those needs and support those interests if it is to be internationally distinctive and to focus on areas where it can become prominent and distinctive.
He stressed that UAEU must become aware of its current strengths upon which new programs and initiatives will develop and grow. He further suggested the need to analyze the initiatives of key institutions around the globe.
Sheikh Nahayan expressed his support in extending learning outside the classroom and described it as a great idea which could become a signature feature of UAEU, however he also stressed the importance for equal attention to what actually happens in the undergraduate classrooms and laboratories.
The UAEU Chancellor requested during the gathering that a major emphasis must be given to the undergraduate academic program, and that the development of a more comprehensive undergraduate research experience throughout the University will be essential to making UAEU a major research-intensive university.
He also requested that Ph.D. programs must incorporate measures for preparing candidates to be future faculty members and that the supervised teaching of undergraduates is essential, as is a quality post-doctoral experience. He strongly emphasized the University’s total commitment to building bridges among all colleges and all research centers and institutes, to avoid isolation and the importance of rigorously and routinely assessing the effect of research activities collectively and to determine whether or not we are creating the research footprint that is expected for UAEU.
He explained that ranking systems tend to rely on a combination of quantitative and reputational indicators highlighting the importance to determine a series of benchmarks or indicators to measure progress and a process to identify “aspirational peers” for comparison. UAEU’s commitment to WASC accreditation standards is a first step in that direction.
In conclusion, H.H. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan encouraged administrative and academic leaders at UAEU to work together to achieve UAEU goals and embrace its obligations and responsibilities assuring his confidence for the promising future for this pioneer educational institution.
