Dubai: The University of Dubai has unveiled a Happiness and Positivity Programme, a first of its kind initiative in the world, aimed at spreading happiness and positivity within its community.

The announcement follows the UAE Cabinet’s recent endorsement of the ‘Happiness and Positivity Charter’.

Announcing the programme during the University 2016 Job Fair, Dr Eisa M. Bastaki, president of the university, said: “University of Dubai has committed itself to the call of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and UAE leaders to make our country the happiest country in the world.”

Dr Bastaki said the university’s Happiness and Positivity Programme has embraced happiness not as the cause of success but as a result of the success it has achieved. He added that the university is planting the seeds of happiness in the educational sector considering the sector’s key role in building the country’s future.

He said: “We believe that education, innovation, hard work, good ethics, charity, community service, positivity and other good deeds create happiness and not the other way around.”

The University of Dubai programme focuses on spreading happiness and positive attitude among its students, faculty and staff, in addition to its vast alumni community by going beyond conventional activities and approaches. The programme’s objective is to extend its activities to the university’s stakeholders, parents and families.

How the programme will work

The Happiness and Positivity Programme will be administered by the university’s Happiness Council headed by Hikmat Beaini, who has been appointed chief executive of the council. The council, comprising representatives from students, faculty, staff and alumni, will measure happiness at the university by conducting surveys and creating an index of happiness.

The council will be responsible for approving objectives and mission statement, conducting happiness surveys every semester and launching happiness activities which will include special seminars, workshops, and mentoring sessions on happiness.

The council will work towards ensuring the best practices for the university’s human resources and reviewing policies towards a happier work environment. It will create the best learning environment for the university’s students and review the learning criteria to achieve happier results.

Other responsibilities of the council include reaching out to students’ parents and families to better connect and reflect happiness at the university, advancing health and nutrition practices to fit the university’s green campus and ensure a healthier learning environment, connecting with the Ministry of State of Happiness and adhering to its vision and policies.

The council will share the university’s findings and practices with other educational institutions locally and internationally. It will also launch special sports and recreational activities to ensure a happier body and mind.