His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has issued an Emiri Decree to establish and regulate the Sharjah Council for Higher Education and Scientific Research. This decree also includes the formation of the council and an Administrative Decision to create its Permanent Executive Committee.

According to the decree, an advisory council will be set up to oversee and enhance the higher education and scientific research sector within the emirate. This advisory body will be officially named the "Sharjah Council for Higher Education and Scientific Research." It will operate with legal personality and full capacity to carry out the necessary legal actions to achieve its aims and fulfill its responsibilities. Furthermore, it will maintain financial and administrative independence.

As per the decree, the official English name of the council will be "Sharjah Council for Higher Education and Scientific Research," and its headquarters will be located in the city of Sharjah.

The decree outlined the objectives of the Council aimed at accomplishing the following goals:

1. Ensuring high standards of academic and administrative performance across higher education institutions in the emirate.

2. Empowering and assisting these institutions in attaining excellence and obtaining both local and international academic accreditation.

3. Aligning educational outcomes with labor market demands and the future aspirations of the country and the emirate.

4. Fostering scientific research and innovation while enhancing the research environment within the emirate.

5. Improving governance and assessment of university performance at academic, administrative, and financial levels.

In line with the Decree and in accordance with applicable federal and local legislation, the Council is empowered to undertake the following actions to fulfill its objectives:

1. Develop overarching policies and strategic plans for higher education and scientific research within the emirate, and oversee their implementation in collaboration with local higher education institutions.

2. Establish legislation, policies, strategies, and regulations pertaining to higher education and scientific research in the emirate.

3. Approve the creation, merger, or closure of higher education institutions in the emirate.

4. Analyze labor market demands and future trends, ensuring alignment with the programs provided by the emirate's higher education institutions.

5. Guarantee the quality of education, scientific research, and innovation in policies and procedures at the emirate’s higher education institutions.

6. Assist the emirate's higher education institutions in implementing a performance measurement system and building databases to align with global rankings and international accreditation standards.

7. Facilitate coordination among the emirate’s higher education institutions regarding admission criteria and conditions for various academic programs.

8. Promote the adoption of best practices for academic, financial, and administrative procedures, policies, and regulations at higher education institutions across the emirate.

9. Encourage and support scientific research, innovation, and the development of specialized research centers at these institutions.

10. Collaborate with federal and local government bodies as well as international organizations on all matters related to higher education and scientific research in the emirate.

11. Approve contracts, agreements, memoranda of understanding, and partnerships between the Council and external entities.

12. Form both permanent and temporary committees and working groups from among Council members to assist in carrying out its mandate.

13. Carry out any additional duties assigned to the Council by the Ruler.

The decree outlines that the council will be established through an Emiri decree and will comprise presidents, directors, and representatives from universities, academies, and higher education institutions owned by the emirate's government. Additionally, it will include academics with relevant experience and expertise.

According to the decree, the Council will establish a permanent Supreme Executive Committee, as determined by the Ruler's decision. This Committee will be composed of members chosen by the President from among the Council members. The decision will outline the responsibilities of the Committee's rapporteur and define the powers of the Committee.

In line with the decree, the Council will develop the necessary executive regulations, systems, decisions, and manuals to effectively structure its operations. These will establish mechanisms for accreditation, follow-up, and evaluation, ensuring they align with the existing laws and regulations in the emirate.

The Emiri Decree that established the Sharjah Council for Higher Education and Scientific Research outlines that the Council's inaugural session will be presided over by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, who is the Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. The Council will also comprise the following members:

1. His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, who will serve as Vice Chairman of the Sharjah Council for Higher Education and Scientific Research.

2. His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and the President of the University of Sharjah.

3. Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, the President of the American University of Sharjah.

4. Sheikha Hoor bint Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, President of the Global Studies University.

5. Dr. Muhadditha Al Hashemi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Private Education Authority.

6. Jamal Salem Al Tarifi, President of Al Qasimia University.

7. Dr. Hamid M.K. Al Naimiy, General Director of the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy and Space Sciences and Technology.

8. Dr. Issam Al-Din Ibrahim Ajami, Chancellor of the University of Sharjah.

9. Dr. Tod A. Laursen, Chancellor of the American University of Sharjah.

10. Dr. Awad Al Khalaf, Chancellor of Al Qasimia University.

11. Dr. Ali Hilal-Alnaqbi, Chancellor of the University of Khorfakkan.

12. Dr. Najwa Mohammed Dawood Al Hosani, Chancellor of the University of Kalba.

13. Dr. Aisha Ahmed Mohammed Abu Shalabi, Chancellor of the University of Al Dhaid.

14. Dr. Salah M. Hassan, Chancellor of Global Studies University.

15. Brigadier General Dr. Mohammed Khamis Al Othmani, Director General of the Sharjah Police Sciences Academy.

16. Dr. Hashim Abdullah bin Sharhan Al Zaabi, Chancellor of the Sharjah Maritime Academy.

17. Dr. Pauline Taylor Guy, Chancellor of the Sharjah Education Academy.

18. Dr. Peter Barlow, Executive Director of the Sharjah Performing Arts Academy.

19. Dr. Mohammed Yousef Baniyas, Advisor for Higher Education Affairs at the Sharjah Private Education Authority.

20. Dr. Mansour Mohammed Bin Nassar, Legal Advisor and Head of the Legal Department of the Government of Sharjah.

As per the recent administrative decision regarding the establishment of the Permanent Executive Committee for the Sharjah Council for Higher Education and Scientific Research, His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah will lead the committee. The following individuals will also serve as members:

1. Dr. Hamid M.K. Al Naimiy, who is the General Director of the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy and Space Sciences and Technology.

2. Dr. Muhadditha Yahya Al Hashimi, the President of the Sharjah Academy for Education.

3. Dr. Mohammed Yousef Baniyas, the Advisor for Higher Education Affairs at the Sharjah Private Education Authority.

4. Dr. Mansour Mohammed Bin Nassar, the Legal Advisor and Head of the Legal Department for the Government of Sharjah.

The resolution outlines the responsibilities of the Executive Committee of the Sharjah Council for Higher Education and Scientific Research, which include:

1. Developing and proposing overarching policies along with strategic and developmental plans for higher education and scientific research within the emirate, and presenting these to the Council.

2. Assessing the quality of institutional governance and regulatory adherence in higher education institutions and delivering reports on these evaluations to the Council.

3. Monitoring the execution of the Council’s decisions and recommendations to ensure they are carried out effectively.

4. Serving as the Council's representative in signing contracts, agreements, memoranda of understanding, and partnerships established by the Council.

5. Acting on behalf of the Council in legal matters and in dealings with government entities and other stakeholders.

6. Performing any additional tasks assigned by the Chairman of the Sharjah Council for Higher Education and Scientific Research.