Sharjah: His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, chaired the second meeting of the permanent executive committee of the Sharjah Higher Council for Higher Education and Scientific Research at the University City. H.H. Sheikh Dr Sultan welcomed the committee members and highlighted the council's role in the coming years, focusing on correcting administrative concepts, improving university governance, and implementing strategic planning.
According to Emirates News Agency, the committee discussed various topics and future plans, including the work report, organisational structure, strategy, subcommittees, academic staff promotion and evaluation criteria, and research and innovation affairs. The committee reviewed university admission conditions and the diversity of academic programmes to ensure alignment with labour market demands and students' interests.
H.H. Sheikh Dr Sultan approved the preliminary budget for the remainder of the year, totaling AED 18 million, and endorsed the council's new logo and headquarters at the University City. He directed the committee to manage scholarship affairs in Sharjah's higher education institutions by adopting governance frameworks and coordinating between universities and scholarship providers.
New scholarship standards for postgraduate studies were approved, mirroring those for bachelor's degrees. Sharjah students registered with the emirate and with a monthly income below AED50,000 will receive full scholarships, while those with higher incomes will receive 50% fee grants. Full scholarships will continue for specific groups such as children of imams and students with disabilities, funded by the Emiri Diwan.
The meeting was attended by key figures including Dr Mansour bin Nasar, Head of the Sharjah Government Legal Department and committee rapporteur; Dr. Muhadditha Al Hashemi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Private Education Authority; Professor Hamid Majoul Al Nuaimi, Chancellor of the University of Sharjah; and Dr Mohammed Yousuf Baniyas, Adviser for Higher Education at the Sharjah Private Education Authority.