H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, issued an Amiri decree on the establishment and organisation of the Sharjah Council for Higher Education and Scientific Research, an Amiri decree on the formation of the Sharjah Council for Higher Education and Scientific Research, and an administrative decision on the formation of the Council's Permanent Executive Committee.
Under the decree on the establishment and organisation of the Sharjah Council for Higher Education and Scientific Research, an advisory council concerned with regulating and developing the higher education and scientific research sector in the Emirate shall be established, named the "Sharjah Council for Higher Education and Scientific Research". The Council shall be an advisory body with legal personality and full capacity to undertake the legal actions necessary to achieve its objectives and exercise its powers, and it shall enjoy financial and administrative independence.
According to the decree, the Council's name in English shall be adopted as follows: "Sharjah Council for Higher Education and Scientific Research", and the Council's headquarters shall be in the city of Sharjah.
The decree defined the Council's objectives to achieve the following:
- Ensuring the quality of academic and administrative performance in higher education institutions in the Emirate.
- Enabling and supporting higher education institutions to achieve excellence and local and international academic accreditation.
- Aligning education outcomes with labour market needs and the future aspirations of the State and the Emirate.
- Supporting scientific research, innovation, and the development of the research environment in the Emirate.
- Strengthening governance and performance evaluation of universities academically, administratively, and financially.
According to the decree, and with due regard to relevant federal and local legislation, the Council shall, in pursuit of its objectives, exercise the following powers:
- Drawing up general policies and strategic plans for higher education and scientific research in the Emirate, and overseeing their implementation in cooperation with higher education institutions in the Emirate.
- Approving legislation, policies, strategies, and regulations related to higher education and scientific research in the Emirate.
- Approving the establishment, merger, or closure of higher education institutions in the Emirate.
- Studying and analysing labour market needs and future trends and aligning them with programmes offered at higher education institutions in the Emirate.
- Ensuring the quality of education, scientific research, and innovation in policies and procedures at higher education institutions in the Emirate.
- Supporting higher education institutions in the Emirate in implementing a performance indicator measurement system and building databases to meet the requirements of global rankings and international accreditations.
- Coordinating among higher education institutions in the Emirate regarding admission conditions and criteria for students in various academic programmes.
- Ensuring the application of best practices regarding academic, financial, and administrative procedures, policies, and regulations at higher education institutions in the Emirate.
- Supporting and promoting scientific research, innovation, and specialised research centres at higher education institutions in the Emirate.
- Coordinating with federal and local government entities and international bodies on all matters related to higher education and scientific research in the Emirate.
- Approving contracts, agreements, memoranda of understanding, and partnerships between the Council and external parties.
- Forming permanent or temporary committees and working groups from among Council members to assist it in exercising its powers.
- Any other powers assigned to the Council by the Ruler.
The decree stipulates that the Council shall be formed by Amiri decree and shall include in its membership the heads, directors, and representatives of universities, academies, and higher education institutions owned by the Emirate's government, and academics with experience and specialisation.
According to the decree, the Council shall have a permanent supreme executive committee formed by decision of the Ruler, whose membership shall include those selected by the Chairman from among Council members, and the decision shall determine who shall serve as the Committee Secretary and the Committee's powers.
Under the decree, the Council shall issue the executive regulations, systems, decisions, and guides necessary to organise its work and define accreditation, follow-up, and evaluation mechanisms, in a manner that does not conflict with the laws and legislation in force in the Emirate.
The Amiri decree on the formation of the Sharjah Council for Higher Education and Scientific Research stipulated that the Council shall be formed in its first term under the chairmanship of H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, with the following membership:
- H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, Chairman of the Sharjah Police Sciences Academy Board, as Vice Chairman of the Sharjah Council for Higher Education and Scientific Research.
- H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, President of the University of Sharjah.
- Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, President of the American University of Sharjah.
- Sheikha Hoor bint Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, President of the University of Global Studies.
- Dr. Muthathir Yahya Al Hashimi, President of the Sharjah Education Academy.
- Jamal Salem Al Tarifi, President of Al Qasimia University.
- Prof. Dr. Hamid Majul Al Nuaimi, Director of the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences, and Technology.
- Prof. Dr. Essam El-Din Ibrahim Al Ajami, Director of the University of Sharjah.
- Prof. Dr. Tod Laursen, Director of the American University of Sharjah.
- Prof. Dr. Awad Al Khalf, Director of Al Qasimia University.
- Prof. Dr. Ali Abdullah Saif Al Naqbi, Director of the University of Khorfakkan.
- Prof. Dr. Najwa Mohammed Dawood Al Hosani, Director of the University of Kalba.
- Prof. Dr. Aisha Ahmed Mohammed Abushleibi, Director of the University of Al Dhaid.
- Dr. Salah Mohammed Hassan, Director of the University of Global Studies.
- Brig. Dr. Mohammed Khamis Al Othmani, Director of the Sharjah Police Sciences Academy.
- Dr. Hashem Abdullah bin Sarhan Al Zaabi, Director of the Sharjah Maritime Academy.
- Prof. Dr. Pauline Taylor-Guy, Director of the Sharjah Education Academy.
- Prof. Dr. Peter Barlow, Director of the University of the Arts Sharjah.
- Prof. Dr. Mohammed Yousuf Bin Yas, Higher Education Affairs Advisor at the Sharjah Private Education Authority.
- Legal Advisor Dr. Mansour Mohammed bin Nasser, Legal Advisor and Head of the Legal Affairs Department of the Government of Sharjah.
According to the administrative decision on the formation of the Permanent Executive Committee of the Sharjah Council for Higher Education and Scientific Research, the Executive Committee shall be formed under the chairmanship of H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, with the following membership:
- Prof. Dr. Hamid Majul Al Nuaimi, Director of the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences, and Technology.
- Dr. Muthathir Yahya Al Hashimi, President of the Sharjah Education Academy.
- Prof. Dr. Mohammed Yousuf Bin Yas, Higher Education Affairs Advisor at the Sharjah Private Education Authority.
- Legal Advisor Dr. Mansour Mohammed bin Nasser, Legal Advisor and Head of the Legal Affairs Department of the Government of Sharjah.
The decision stipulated that the Executive Committee of the Sharjah Council for Higher Education and Scientific Research shall be responsible for the following:
- Proposing general policies and strategic and developmental plans for higher education and scientific research in the Emirate and submitting them to the Council.
- Evaluating the level of institutional governance and regulatory compliance in higher education institutions and submitting reports thereon to the Council.
- Following up on the implementation of the Council's decisions and recommendations.
- Representing the Council in signing contracts, agreements, memoranda of understanding, and partnerships entered into by the Council.
- Representing the Council before the judiciary and in its relations with government entities and others.
- Any other powers assigned to it by the Chairman of the Sharjah Council for Higher Education and Scientific Research.