His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, as well as Chairman of the Sharjah Council for Higher Education and Scientific Research (SCHESR), chaired the meeting of the Permanent Executive Committee of the Council on Monday morning. Present were His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and President of the University of Sharjah, and Her Highness Sheikha Hoor bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President of the Global Studies University. The meeting took place at the Council’s headquarters in University City.

His Highness, the Ruler of Sharjah, welcomed attendees, emphasising the Council’s crucial role in developing the higher education ecosystem and its various institutions across the Emirate of Sharjah. This reflects the Emirate’s vision of delivering the highest standards of education, knowledge, and scientific research.

The meeting addressed several issues concerning universities and colleges, focusing on ways to improve their development, strengthen collaboration among them, and advance their academic and research initiatives, thereby enhancing the quality and diversity of higher education for students and researchers.

During the meeting, His Highness approved the organisational structure of the Sharjah Council for Higher Education and Scientific Research to support its key mandates, as well as the Council’s budget for 2026.

The meeting also addressed the development of specialised academic programmes in the arts across the Emirate, emphasising the importance of unifying efforts under a dedicated academic arts university that integrates all disciplines and offers advanced facilities to educate and nurture students and talented individuals in artistic fields.

Furthermore, the meeting reviewed the Council’s ongoing efforts to continuously develop academic programmes at higher education institutions in the Emirate of Sharjah, in accordance with the highest international scientific and academic standards, helping to improve the quality of education across various disciplines. The meeting further discussed improving and developing the advanced research system at higher education institutions in the Emirate, in line with scientific requirements and research governance frameworks, to enhance research outcomes and outputs.

Establishment of the University of Art

Furthermore, His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has issued an Emiri Decree regarding the establishment of the University of the Art, Sharjah.

Under the decree, a non-profit academic institution named the University of the Art, Sharjah (UAS) is established in the Emirate of Sharjah. The University shall enjoy full legal personality and the legal capacity necessary to achieve its objectives and exercise its mandates, and shall have financial and administrative independence.

The decree stipulates that the College of Fine Arts and Design affiliated with the University of Sharjah shall be transferred, along with all its staff, assets, properties, rights, obligations, and financial allocations, to the University of the Art, Sharjah. The transfer includes accredited academic programmes in the arts and all related documents, records, data, and academic systems. The college shall remain at its current location near the University of Sharjah in University City.

According to the decree, the Sharjah Performing Arts Academy shall be merged into the University of the Art, Sharjah. All its staff, assets, properties, rights, obligations, and financial allocations shall be transferred to the University, including its accredited academic programmes and all associated documentation, data, and academic accreditation requirements.

Under the decree, the University of the Art, Sharjah shall consist of two academies: 1. Performing Arts Academy: College of Theatre, College of Music, College of Film. 2. Academy of Visual Arts: College of Fine Arts, College of Design.

The decree further provides that a law shall be issued to regulate the University of the Art Sharjah, its colleges, departments, administration, and all related affairs.

Appointing Sheikha Hoor Al Qasimi as President of the University of Art

His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has issued an Emiri Decree appointing Her Highness Sheikha Hoor bint Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi as President of the University of the Art, Sharjah (UAS).

According to the decree, Her Highness Sheikha Hoor bint Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi is appointed President of the University of the Art, Sharjah.

Dissolution of the Board of Trustees of Performing Arts Academy

His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has issued an administrative decision regarding the dissolution of the Board of Trustees of the Sharjah Performing Arts Academy.

According to the decision, the Board of Trustees of the Sharjah Performing Arts Academy shall be dissolved, and a new Board of Trustees for the University of the Art Sharjah shall be formed, chaired by Her Highness Sheikha Hoor bint Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi. The formation of the Board of Trustees and the naming of its members shall be issued by a decision of the President of the University of the Art, Sharjah.

Appointment of directors at the University of Art

His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has issued an administrative decision regarding the appointment of directors for academies at the University of the Art, Sharjah.

According to the decision, Dr Peter Barlow has been appointed Director of the Academy of Performing Arts at the University of the Art Sharjah, while Dr Nadia Mahdi Al Hassni has been appointed Director of the Academy of Visual Arts at the University of the Art, Sharjah.