Khorfakkan: His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, recently chaired the Board of Trustees meeting at the Sharjah Maritime Academy. The meeting took place at the Academy's headquarters in Khorfakkan, where significant developments were discussed.
According to Emirates News Agency, His Highness announced the donation of a ship to the academy, equipped with advanced facilities and technologies, enhancing the practical training programs for students. This initiative aims to facilitate hands-on fieldwork experience for the students. His Highness praised the Academy's swift achievements and acknowledged the efforts of the Academy's administration, led by Dr Hashim bin Sarhan Al Zaabi, in fostering significant improvements at both academic and administrative levels. He highlighted the challenges the Academy faced since its inception and expressed commitment to continuing the implementation of strategic plans for high-quality training programs.
The Board discussed several agenda items, including reports on curriculum development and expanding institutional partnerships. A new budget for the 2026-2027 academic year was approved. Additionally, four new academic programs were sanctioned, pending accreditation from the Commission for Academic Accreditation at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. These include two bachelor's programs in Naval Architecture and Sustainable Marine Engineering, and Marine Environment and Renewable Energy, as well as master's programs in Intelligent Marine Systems and AI, and Global Supply Chain Management.
Dr Hashim Al Zaabi presented a report showcasing the Academy's recent performance, which included academic, administrative, and research accomplishments. The Academy's institutional accreditation was renewed for four years, with commendations for program structure, regulatory compliance, and faculty diversity. The Board also noted the international accreditations achieved by various programs, and discussed ongoing efforts to secure further accreditations.
The meeting also addressed the expansion of training and consultation services for the maritime sector. The Academy offers a variety of programs for ports and maritime institutions, focusing on areas such as pilotage, engineering, port security, and supply chain management. These initiatives underscore the Academy's role in training specialized personnel for the maritime industry.