In order to discuss the latest preparations made by the University for the start of the new academic year, and to be informed of developments regarding the teaching and research process, the University of Sharjah held the first meeting of the University's Council of Deans for the new academic year: 2020/2021. This was organized remotely under the chairmanship of His Excellency Prof. Hamid M.K. Al Naimiy, Chancellor of the University, and in the presence of the Vice Chancellors of the University, College Deans, Department Heads and Directors.

The meeting began with a speech delivered by His Excellency the Chancellor of the University, in which he raised his warmest congratulations and blessings to His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council, Ruler of Sharjah and President of the University of Sharjah, on the occasion of the new Hijri year 1442 AH and the new academic year. He also congratulated the distinguished members of the University's Board of Trustees on this occasion. He also welcomed the attendees from the colleges and administration department wishing a successful academic year for all.

Then His Excellency the Chancellor of the University gave a brief presentation of the University's work during the last period, especially in the stage of the start of the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, which required everyone to take precautionary measures approved by the relevant national health authorities, among which were the two systems of distance learning and work, and added that the University was able to achieve success in both systems and excel in them at the general national level.

The University Chancellor also identified a set of important topics, which he emphasized that everyone should work through and focus on during the new academic year, which were represented as follows:

First, work on achieving sound scientific research and focusing on the issues that contribute to serving the local community, as well as the direct link between conference topics, scientific activities and community issues, stressing the importance for all research teams and groups to cooperate in presenting research projects directly related to the needs of society, especially scientific research in the fields of health sciences and others that contribute to overcoming the effects of the spread of the Coronavirus. This along with focusing on the participation of students of graduate studies in scientific research.

The meeting also dealt with the mechanism of continuing the distance learning process during the first semester of the new academic year, especially since the University of Sharjah had achieved great success at the national level in implementing that experience during the past academic year, which helped in gaining more experiences and conducting many infrastructure updates that will contribute to serving the educational process from a distance. It was also stressed that education in the current fall semester will be remote, and the student's presence at the University's headquarters will be restricted to attending practical courses and practical scientific experiments in laboratories, with an emphasis that this be with the application of all precautionary measures and social distancing within the laboratories.

His Excellency the University Chancellor also touched on the importance of activating the role of advisory councils at the University, enhancing the participation of University graduates in all its activities, and providing the necessary support for students at all levels. He also emphasized the role of the University's faculty members in the success of the educational process, pointing out the necessity of continuing the process of self-development especially in the use of modern technologies in teaching by attending and participating in training courses in this field and working on updating and developing the scientific content of the academic curricula to contribute to the development of the skills and abilities of the student to think, innovate and create, and meet the requirements of the labor market.

For his part, Prof. Esam El-Din Agamy, Acting Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Dean of Quality Assurance, Institutional Effectiveness and Academic Accreditation, reviewed in his speech all the preparations that will be applied in the educational process during the fall semester of the academic year 2020/2021, including the continuation of the distance learning system. This with the use of a number of modern technologies in teaching, including virtual laboratories, and the application of all controls and precautionary measures during the presence of University students to attend practical courses and develop the scientific content of teaching courses to match the nature of distance teaching.

Dr. David Carter, Director of the Strategy Office, presented the latest reports on the implementation of the five-year strategic plan, which the University started since the beginning of the last academic year, and the results achieved during that period, and working on the continuous improvement of the University's progress in international rankings.

As for Dr. Amina Al-Marzouqi, Acting Dean of the College of Health Sciences and Head of the Prevention and Awareness Committee and Precautionary Measures for Covid-19, she shed light on all the measures taken by the University to implement the directives issued by the concerned health authorities, including supervising the implementation of quarantine measures for returnees from abroad, and emphasizing the necessity of conducting the necessary examinations for everyone before starting work, and supervising the process of organizing entry and exit from the buildings and campuses of the University, and Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Hashemi, Director of the Laboratories Department at the University, gave a presentation on the ongoing preparations for the start of the new year, including the provision of thermal monitoring cameras at all University entrances, the provision of posters and educational instructions, and the provision of sterilizers and means to ensure personal protection for everyone. A number of University Department Directors such as the Human Resources Department, the Admission Department, the Registration Department, the Marketing and Student Recruitment Department, and the Academic Computing Department presented reports on the University's workflow during the last period, and the final approved preparations for the start of the new academic year.