Sharjah University introduces new diploma programmes

The University of Sharjah has introduced two diploma programmes in Food and Enviro-nment Inspection for male national high school graduates, to help meet manpower requirements.

"The two programmes come upon the directives of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, to ensure the fulfilment of the university's mission to serve the community and meet its needs, and contribute to the comprehensive development process Sharjah has been leading," Dr Issam Zabalawi, Chancellor, said yesterday.

He said the two programmes are being organised in cooperation with Sharjah Municipality and Human Resources Development Department of Sharjah. The programmes aim at qualifying the high school graduates to work at Sharjah Municipality as environment and food inspectors.

"This is achieved through training in the theoretical and applied aspects of food and environment quality control and inspection," he said.

Dr Zabalawi said the programmes provide the trainees with basic knowledge that helps them in their career and provides them with the skills needed to perform their assigned duties as food and environment inspectors, based on the latest developments and internationally followed norms in the field.

"To meet the set objectives, the curriculum of the two academic years includes three modes of training, all designed to graduate a competent inspector capable of performing his duties after receiving the minimum on-job-training," he said.

The first mode includes theoretical courses in basic and applied sciences of food and environment including the relevant local and regional laws, the inspection process, and the application of software packages to the profession of inspection, he explained.

The second includes laboratory exercises and field visits to local establishments. The laboratory experiments are designed to familiarise the students on environment safety, methods of taking samples and measurements, and processing and interpreting the data thus obtained.

The third includes a three-month training session in municipal departments to familiarise the trainees with real-life situations and giving confidence needed to perform duties in the most efficient manner.

Dr Zabalawi said the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Health Sciences and Engineering will participate in qualifying students in the two new diplomas.

Engineer Ahmad Mohammed Fikri, Director General, Sharjah Municipality, said the civic body continues close cooperation with the university to help qualify nationals capable of carrying out the community's developmental plans.

He added 21 national students have enrolled for the two diploma programmes, having started their studies on Saturday. The municipality pays a Dh2,000 monthly incentive and sponsors all study expenses during the two years.

Hanan Al Jarwan, Director of the Human Resources Development Department, said the diploma programmes were established to meet the community's needs of manpower.