The announcement was made during His Highness's visit to the Al Dhaid University building on Thursday morning.
"We are pleased to announce the establishment of the University of Dhaid, a non-profit scientific institution in the Arab region specializing in agriculture, environment, food, and livestock. We have developed various facilities and projects to support its scientific mission and achieve its goals, including the wheat farm, the Saba Sanabel project, the vegetable farm, the dairy farm, the seed bank, and other facilities, centers, laboratories, and projects. We look forward to witnessing the construction of these developments soon." Said His Highness
His Highness expressed that, by the grace of God, the university will commence the registration and admission of both male and female students at the beginning of the academic year 2024-2025, and he wished all those responsible for the university and the incoming male and female students great success.
An Arab non-profit academic institute is required to be established in the Emirate of Sharjah as per the decree. The institute will be known as the "University of Al Dhaid." It will possess the necessary legal status and capability to fulfill its goals and exercise its authorities, as well as financial and administrative autonomy.
His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi has been appointed as the president of the university, as per the Decree. Furthermore, a law that will organize the university, including its colleges, departments, administration, and all its affairs, will be issued.
His Highness has signed the Decision of the President of the University of Dhaid No. (1) of 2024 concerning the establishment of the Board of Trustees of the University of Dhaid. It has been specified that the Board of Trustees will be constituted in its inaugural meeting under the leadership of His Highness, and will include the following members:
1. Dr. Peter McCaffery, Vice-Chancellor of the Royal Agricultural University in UK.
2. Dr. Khalifa Musabah bin Ahmed Al Tunaiji, Member of the Executive Council - Head of the Department of Agriculture and Livestock.
3. Engineer/ Ali Saeed bin Shaheen Al Suwaidi, Member of the Executive Council - Head of the Public Works Department.
4. Dr. Muhadditha Yahya Al Hashemi, Head of the Sharjah Private Education Authority.
5. Dr. Aisha Ahmed Mohammed Abu Shlaibi, Chancellor of the University of Al Dhaid.
6. Dr. Warwick Bayly is Professor at College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University.
7. Dr. Mohammad Abdullah bin Howaiden Al Ketbi, Chairman of the Municipal Council of Al Dhaid.
8. Dr. Salem Zayed Khalifa Al Tunaiji, Head of the Department of Arabic Language and Emirati Studies at the Higher Colleges of Technology in Sharjah.
9. Dr. Saeed Musabah Al Kaabi, former Chairman of the Sharjah Education Council.
10. Mr. Sultan Mohammed bin Howaiden Al Ketbi, Chairman of the Municipal Council of Al Madam.
11. Dr. Khalifa Musabah Al Ketbi, Director of the Engineering Department in the Municipality of Al Madam.
12. Dr. Saeed Hareb Dhahi Al Mansouri, Head of the Human Resources Planning Department at the Sharjah Police General Command.
13. Dr. Ahmed Saeed Al Khasouni Al Ketbi, officer in the Security Media Department at the Ministry of Interior.
14. Dr. Khalfan Khamis Khalfan Al Razi Al Shamsi, Assistant Dean for Scientific Research - Abu Dhabi Police College.
15. Dr. Musabah Saeed Al Ketbi, member of the Board of Trustees of the Sharjah Award for Voluntary Work.
His Highness signed President of the University of Dhaid’s Decision No. (2) of 2024 appointing Dr. Aisha Ahmed Mohammed Abu Shlaibi as Chancellor of the University of Dhaid.
His Highness signed Decision No. (3) of 2024 made by the President of the University of Dhaid, appointing Dr. Melissa Fitzgerald as the Dean of the College of Agriculture at the University of Dhaid.
His Highness explained that Al Dhaid University would stand out based on its faculties, areas of study, and the educational and practical opportunities it offers to its students in their chosen fields, equipping them with comprehensive hands-on experience upon graduation.
His Highness discussed distinguishing factors of the College of Agriculture at the University of Dhaid, highlighting its interconnected departments which offer a wealth of knowledge. His Highness’s vast experience in planning, study, and specialization will form the basis of this knowledge.
“I am one of those who graduated from the College of Agriculture in 1970, and I still hold the knowledge to this day. The College of Agriculture comprises eight departments, each having three courses, and each course will produce for us a specialized engineer. If one student, from the College of Agriculture at this university, graduated from each course, we would have 24 scientists and experts. I hope that everyone who is here will spread the word on our behalf that the President of Al Dhaid University invites you and says to everyone who seeks knowledge: Come and be the expert, be the scientist. This university was designed for you,” His Highness said.
His Highness reviewed the departments in the College of Agriculture, noting that they cover all the departments required for the specializations they contain and are complementary to each other.
According to His Highness, there are different departments in the field of agriculture that have different projects and goals. For example, the Animal Production Department is responsible for taking care of cows, poultry, and goats. They need specialists to work on these projects. The Plant Production Department works on growing crops like wheat and vegetables. There are also other plants that are used in the industry and need more specialists to work on them. The Department of Agricultural Economics and Social Sciences studies how to distribute and market these products. The Agricultural Lands Department looks at the different types of lands and water sources to determine which crops can grow there. The Department of Food Sciences works on researching food and animal products factories like dairy and vegetable factories. Finally, the Department of Protection of Plants and Animals works to prevent damage caused by pests. In Sharjah, they do not use any unnatural pesticides but instead use scientific studies to help develop the crops. For example, they managed to increase the protein percentage of wheat to 19%, which is the highest in the world, through careful scientific and practical attention.
His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah stated that the work in all projects focuses on ensuring that the products are natural and free of all chemical substances, pointing out the careful selection of the group of cows that were brought in for the dairy project from a natural breed that has not been subjected to artificial insemination or modification, and thus its milk contains nutritious natural enzymes that produce the best dairy products for the benefit of people.
The main goal of all projects is to ensure that the products are natural and do not contain any chemical substances. His Highness, the Ruler of Sharjah, emphasized the selection process of the cows brought in for the dairy project. He highlighted that the cows belong to a natural breed that has not gone through any artificial insemination or modification. As a result, the milk produced by these cows contains natural and nutritious enzymes, making their dairy products the best choice for people's health and well-being.
His Highness said, " We have previously established several universities in Sharjah, Khorfakkan, and Kalba, but Al Dhaid University is unique in that it allows students to take charge of their own learning and use the resources around them to create things. We believe in this approach to education and encourage our students to learn by doing. They get to work on creating things themselves, and we are proud of their achievements."
His Highness expressed his joy about the creation of the College of Agriculture and its various fields of study. He mentioned that he keeps up with all the latest developments and research in the field and hopes to apply this knowledge in Al Dhaid and Sharjah in the future."
His Highness discussed the establishment of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Al Dhaid University, emphasizing that it would serve as a significant veterinary center for its graduates, who would care for animals in government projects and elsewhere and support citizens who own animal farms. Additionally, His Highness addressed a plan to improve the goat and sheep breeds in the region, noting that the current breeds had weakened and must be reinforced with similar breeds from neighboring areas.
His Highness discussed the progress of projects in the central region that aim to preserve and enhance the environment. These projects are taking steps to prevent any pollution, which can be harmful to human health, from dust, fumes, and smoke. One such project is the Sharjah Safari project in Al Dhaid, which is an example of the environmental treatments being done in the region. The goal is to protect the natural environment by planting more trees and preventing any encroachment on the mountains and plains.
His Highness has announced that Al Dhaid University has made all necessary preparations for its agriculture and veterinary medicine students to acquire theoretical and practical knowledge. The university will provide classrooms in established projects, allowing students to study and learn directly from engineers and specialists on the farms. Furthermore, each student will be granted a plot of agricultural land to cultivate, supervise, and market the produce, providing valuable hands-on experience and preparing them for their future careers.
His Highness recently appointed Dr. Aisha Ahmed Abu Shlaibi as the Chancellor of Al Dhaid University because of her expertise in agriculture and practical experience in the field. Dr. Shlaibi received her degree from a college of agriculture and veterinary medicine in the United States and has previously managed the College of Agriculture and Veterinary Science at the United Arab Emirates University and the Higher Colleges of Technology. Additionally, Dr. Melissa Fitzgerald, who has experience in managing the College of Agriculture at Monash University in Australia, was selected as the Dean of the College of Agriculture at the University of Dhaid. Both of these appointments were made based on their extensive experience in the field of agriculture and their contributions to various agricultural projects in Dhaid.
His Highness and the attendees watched a visual presentation about the Al Dhaid University project, its establishment stages, and the construction of the university’s facilities and various colleges.
The signing ceremony of the decree establishing the university was attended, alongside His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, by: Sheikh Salem bin Abdulrahman Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Ruler's Office; Rashid Ahmed bin Al Sheikh, Head of the Al Diwan Al Amiri; Dr. Khalifa Musabah Al Tunaiji, Head of the Department of Agriculture and Livestock; Engineer Ali bin Shaheen Al Suwaidi, Head of the Sharjah Department of Public Works; Dr. Mansour bin Nassar, Head of the Legal Department of Sharjah Government; Mohammed Obaid Al Zaabi, Head of the Protocol and Hospitality Department; Dr. Muhadditha Al Hashemi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Private Education Authority; and several senior officials.
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