Persistence is very important Nobel Prize laureateThe University of Sharjah announced the beginning of studies in the Postgraduate Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program, which was recently accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education in the UAE. His Excellency Prof. Hamid M.K. Al Naimiy, Chancellor of the University of Sharjah, stated that adding that this program is considered one of the unique and professional programs at the University that works to prepare a professional cadre of qualified (professionally and academically) pharmacists. Those pharmacists will in turn assist in providing the best medical and health care services as well as meeting the increasing demands of the market. This in addition to serving the local and regional communities. The program also comes within the framework of the five year strategy plan of the University (2019/2024) approved by the Board of Trustees led by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council, Ruler of Sharjah, and President of the University of Sharjah. The University strategy aims to increase the number of graduate studies programs at the University at both the master's and PhD levels.

The Chancellor stressed that several new academic programs will be introduced in the various academic levels of Bachelor's, Master and PhD with the start of study with the new Academic Year 2020/2021. The number of programs at the University, he added, is (55) programs at the undergraduate stage, (2) a specialized diploma programs, (35) programs in the master's degree, and (15) PhD programs, and thus the total number of academic programs offered at the University is (107) programs all accredited from the Ministry of Higher Education, and most of which are accredited by the competent international authorities. All these programs combined confirm the leadership of the University of Sharjah and the position it enjoys locally, regionally, and internationally.

For his part, Prof. Ayman Nourelddin, Dean of the College of Pharmacy, stated that the Postgraduate Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program is a QFEmirates level 9 professional program specialized in pharmaceutical sciences. It will be open for admission for students with a Bachelor's Degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, and the number of study hours over the span of two years will be 36 credit hours in didactic clinical pharmacy based course work, in addition to 36 hours in clinical/experiential training in hospitals in the United Arab Emirates. This program aims to provide students with advanced knowledge and techniques in clinical related and outcomes research, to train students and enhance their ability to providing pharmaceutical care to patients and promoting public health, to develop student's ability to effectively communicate scientific information both orally and in writing to provide drug information and education, and to foster problem-solving and decision-making skills applied to facilitate employment in scientific careers that contributes to the growth and development of the society. The College is also currently working with the American Council of Pharmacy Education (ACPE) to obtain the ACPE accreditation.

Prof. Abduelmula Ragab Abduelkarem, Head of the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacotherapeutics, shared that the requirements for admission to this program will be for the student to have a bachelor's degree in pharmacy from a recognized university in the United Arab Emirates with a minimum GPA of 3 out of 4 or its equivalent, and the degree was obtained by attending no less than 75% of the study period, as well as the student passing the placement test conducted by the College of Pharmacy to assess the candidate's background in pharmacy sciences. This in addition to obtaining a certificate of proficiency in the English language. Studies in this program will start in the Spring semester of the upcoming Academic Year 2020/2021 and admission is open once per year.

During the Research Week, graduate students presented their research in the field of engineering management that will be published in one of the most prestigious and indexed international scientific journals – the SCOPUS database. The papers will be published in a special issue under the title "Engineering Management in the United Arab Emirates", and also during the Week Graduate students presented their research in the field of contemporary issues in civil and architectural engineering as well as new and renewable energy research, mechanical and nuclear engineering, computer and electrical engineering.