Convocation day

New programmes, educational projects and plans announced at ceremony marking the beginning of the academic year at Zayed University. Reema Saffarini reports

Zayed University started the new academic year with a number of announcements and education projects as it completed a decade since its establishment.

Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and President of Zayed University (ZU), inaugurated the university's 10th Annual Convocation at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai last week.

He welcomed new faculty members and discussed the university's plans.

The university this year will be receiving 1,286 new students in the university's Dubai and Abu Dhabi campuses.

Accreditation team
Zayed University will be receiving in the spring semester an accreditation team representing the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

The visiting committee will represent the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools that accredits degree-granting colleges and universities in the Middle States region in the US.

"We will encourage students to be engaged in appropriate activities... help them develop their language and communication skills... incorporate advanced technology into teaching... improve students' internship opportunities and endow students with leadership qualities and entrepreneurial skills," said Shaikh Nahyan.

Men's campus
Further, ZU has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the UAE Armed Forces to provide degree programmes to its cadets.

ZU will open a men's campus in Abu Dhabi. Classes will commence in the spring semester this year.

Endowment
ZU will be also establish a university endowment. "We will have the official announcement in a few months. We expect to receive some generous donations to start the endowment. We also expect to have the elements of an effective fundraising campaign in place," said Shaikh Nahyan.

"We will raise funds to support 10 endowed professorships to be named Zayed Distinguished Professors."

Administration
The university is set to update plans to meet the requirements of the Federal government's strategic policy announced in April.

"The government has decided to link the budgeting process with the actual plans of action. An independent study last year suggested that Zayed University may be over-funded for the activities and programmes it offers," said Shaikh Nahyan.

"We obviously disagree. A budget request based on a sound strategic plan will help the university make its case..."

The university has also worked on internal organisational changes, including the establishment of a chief administrative and financial officer position.

Transforming public schools
This year, Zayed University is working with the Ministry of Education, UAE University and the Higher Colleges of Technology, on a new programme intended to transform education in public schools.

"This is a long-term goal. Until this goal is achieved we must improve students' experience and graduation rates," said Shaikh Nahyan. He added that Zayed University is no longer " a new addition to higher education" in the UAE.

"We must continue to provide a superior education to our students, who can expect to live and work in a world of continuing rapid change. The same time we need to meet the university's responsibility to support local and national social and economic development," he said.

Awards
Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and President of Zayed University, honoured six faculty and staff members at the university for their contributions, hard work and academic work.