His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, President of the University of Sharjah, presided over the 59th meeting of the University’s Board of Trustees on Wednesday morning at his office on campus. The gathering underscored the University’s commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and global engagement.

Opening the session, Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi warmly welcomed board members, commending their constructive efforts and insightful contributions that have propelled the University’s remarkable progress across academic, research, and administrative spheres. He extended special thanks to His Excellency Prof. Hamid M.K. Al Naimiy for his pivotal leadership, which has driven the institution’s development on multiple fronts.

Sheikh Sultan Al Qasimi also praised the University of Sharjah’s sustained outstanding performance, highlighting its ability to maintain its distinguished status among leading institutions. He emphasized UoS’s ongoing efforts to advance its research ecosystem and align academic programs with global trends and technological advancements, ensuring graduates are equipped with skills for the 21st century and the evolving needs of the job market.

Expressing pride in the University’s achievements, Sheikh Sultan celebrated its strides in applied scientific research that serves and uplifts the community. He particularly noted its ascent in international rankings and lauded the faculty for their dedication, particularly through interactive workshops and meetings aimed at evaluating and enhancing institutional performance. These initiatives, he said, have yielded actionable plans to safeguard the University’s academic reputation and leadership both nationally and regionally.

The Board approved the operating budget for the 2025/2026 academic year, totaling 1.27 billion dirhams (approximately $346 million). It also ratified the graduation of a new cohort of 2,026 students, including 1,643 bachelor’s degrees, 16 postgraduate diplomas, 302 master’s degrees, and 65 doctorates, all of whom completed their requirements by the end of the spring 2024/2025 term.

In a move to address shifting labor market demands, the Board greenlit several new academic programs designed to foster talent and drive economic and social growth. These include a PhD in Leadership in Higher Education, a Master’s in Interior Architecture with a focus on adaptive reuse, a Master of Science in Safety Engineering, a Master of Science in Innovation and Construction Management, a Master’s in Law and Economics, a Professional Master’s in Sharia Supervision and Auditing, and a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering.

The Board also approved the establishment of two new research centers: the Exeter-Sharjah Center for Global Studies, aimed at fostering cross-community engagement and exploring its societal impacts, and the Center for Advanced Biotechnologies, which will promote interdisciplinary research and international collaboration in sustainable development, innovation, and biotechnology.

Reflecting UoS’s dedication to academic excellence, the Board promoted 22 faculty members, eight to full professor and 14 to associate professor, in recognition of their impactful research, adoption of modern teaching methods, and contributions to community development.

In addition, the Board reviewed reports from specialized committees, including the Emiratization Committee, which aims to increase the number of Emirati faculty and staff and equip them with essential skills for leadership roles within the University.

His Excellency Prof. Esameldin Agamy, Chancellor of the University of Sharjah, presented a comprehensive report detailing the institution’s performance during the 2024/2025 academic year. He thanked His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, the Board, and all university stakeholders for their support. Prof. Agamy highlighted progress under the University’s EDGE strategic plan, which runs through 2030 and focuses on four pillars: Emiratization of academic and administrative roles, full digital transformation, strengthening international and regional partnerships, and fostering innovation and entrepreneurship among students and graduates.

The report showcased the University’s rising global rankings, the rapid advancement of research output, and the attainment of local and international accreditations for 23 doctoral, 58 master’s, 62 bachelor’s, and four postgraduate diploma programs. It also addressed academic performance evaluations, program effectiveness, faculty appointments, policy development, infrastructure enhancements, and the University’s expanding local and international partnerships. Prof. Agamy reaffirmed UoS’s commitment to robust governance, research excellence, and the integration of artificial intelligence, innovation, and entrepreneurship into academic programs.

Joining His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi at the Board of Trustees meeting were several prominent figures from Sharjah’s government, business, and academic circles. Among the attendees were Dr. Mansour Mohammed bin Nassar, Head of the Legal Department for the Government of Sharjah; Saeed Sultan Beljio Al Suwaidi, Chairman of the Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority; Dr. Muhadditha Al Hashimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Private Education Authority; Mohammed Abdullah, CEO of Sharjah Islamic Bank; Prof. Esameldin Agamy, Chancellor of the University of Sharjah; Prof. Hamid M.K. Al Maimiy, Advisor to the University President, Director of the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences and Technology, and President of the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences; Dr. Obaid bin Butti Al Muhairi, former Executive Dean of Arabic Language and Emirati Studies at the Higher Colleges of Technology; and Dr. Khawla Abdul Rahman Al Mulla, former Chairperson of the Family Affairs Authority.

The meeting also welcomed distinguished international academic leaders, underscoring the University’s global outlook. Notable international members of the UoS Board of Trustees  includ Dr. Jacques Frémont, President of the University of Ottawa in Canada; Dr. Alexander Kuleshov, President of the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology in Russia; Dr. Mohamed Hamdi bin Abdul Shakour, former Chancellor of the University of Malaya in Malaysia; Dr. Paul O’Byrne, Vice President of McMaster University in Canada; Dr. Martin Baristow, Deputy Director for Strategic Scientific Projects and Director of the Leicester Institute for Space and Earth Observation in the United Kingdom; Kamal Youcef-Toumi, Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Co-Director of the Center for Clean Water and Clean Energy at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the United States; and Oussama Khatib, Professor of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering and Director of the Stanford Robotics Center at Stanford University in the United States.