H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, Chairman of the Sharjah Council for Higher Education and Scientific Research, affirmed the major role of universities in elevating society, noting the importance of the Sharjah Council for Higher Education and Scientific Research, which was established specifically to assist universities and academies in the Emirate in continuing the journey of higher education that began in 1997 with the establishment of the University of Sharjah and the American University of Sharjah, and which continues to offer the finest sciences to its students according to the latest educational and pedagogical curricula.
This came during His Highness's chairmanship of the first meeting of the Sharjah Council for Higher Education and Scientific Research, held this morning, Wednesday, at Dr. Sultan Al Qasimi's Diwan, in the presence of 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 and 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 and President of the University of Sharjah; Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President of the American University of Sharjah; Sheikha Hoor bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President of the University of Global Studies; and Council members, the heads and directors of universities, academies, and higher education institutions in the Emirate of Sharjah.
His Highness the Chairman of the Sharjah Council for Higher Education and Scientific Research addressed a number of topics related to the work of universities and academies within the scope of higher education, noting his personal follow-up of all matters pertaining to them because of the importance of knowledge in the life of the individual and society, and that knowledge is vast and consequential, for within it lies what can destroy and what can revive.
His Highness addressed the importance of the proper founding of scientific institutions from the outset, recalling the beginning of the establishment of universities in the Emirate of Sharjah and the engagement of competent scientific and administrative expertise, so that they would launch with strength and so that new universities and educational institutions in the Emirate would follow their lead, explaining that each university has an educational approach chosen according to the highest international standards and in cooperation with the world's leading universities, with a board of trustees for each university composed of competent specialists who oversee the university and take appropriate decisions for it.
His Highness the Chairman of the Sharjah Council for Higher Education and Scientific Research emphasised the importance of selecting university professors capable of fulfilling their teaching, research, and academic responsibilities to the fullest, as they must be proficient in conveying the scientific subject in which they specialise and distinguished by it to all students, and in ensuring its full comprehension, in addition to the role of university administration in continuously following up on the implementation of the educational process, noting that the management of educational institutions in Sharjah is a considered, monitored process that looks first to the interest of the student, and likewise to the interest of society in these sciences.
His Highness stressed the importance of education and pedagogy, saying: "I care about the pedagogical process first and the educational process second, and knowledge knows no homeland, no colour, no form, and no language, and we honour this knowledge, respect it, respect its people, and respect learners because we know the value of knowledge."
His Highness concluded his address by affirming the role of the Sharjah Council for Higher Education and Scientific Research in supporting universities, academies, and educational institutions in the Emirate without intervening in their internal affairs, but rather by supporting institutions with the scientists, expertise, and practices that the Council possesses.
H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Vice Chairman of the Sharjah Council for Higher Education and Scientific Research, delivered an address in which he said: "We thank Your Highness for this trust, and we congratulate ourselves on the establishment of this Council, and we pledge to Your Highness to maintain this distinguished level of these universities and colleges, and we shall all work under Your Highness's banner to elevate this level and this educational and pedagogical process, and we, Your Highness, by the grace of God Almighty and then by Your guidance, shall, God willing, live up to expectations."
Legal Advisor Dr. Mansour Mohammed bin Nasser, Head of the Legal Affairs Department of the Government of Sharjah, read during the meeting the legal legislation related to the Sharjah Council for Higher Education and Scientific Research, as follows: Amiri Decree No. (14) of 2025 on the establishment and organisation of the Sharjah Council for Higher Education and Scientific Research; Amiri Decree No. (15) of 2025 on the formation of the Sharjah Council for Higher Education and Scientific Research; and Administrative Decision No. (2) of 2025 on the formation of the Permanent Executive Committee of the Sharjah Council for Higher Education and Scientific Research.