Sultan bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, chaired the Board of Trustees meeting of the University of Al Dhaid on Monday, where he reviewed the university’s latest achievements, expansion projects, and future development plans.
During the meeting, Sheikh Sultan praised the university’s steady progress in agricultural and veterinary education, saying the institution is moving quickly towards its academic and research goals. He highlighted the success of students and the strong quality of the university’s specialised programmes in science, agriculture, and veterinary medicine.
The Sharjah Ruler said universities in Sharjah benefited from partnerships with internationally recognised universities and academic institutions instead of starting from scratch. He explained that these collaborations helped Sharjah universities adopt advanced educational programmes and improve academic quality through internationally accredited courses and agreements.
Sheikh Sultan stressed the importance of continuously improving education standards and adopting the best academic and scientific practices. He noted that universities in Sharjah have earned a respected position among leading educational institutions in the region due to their high-quality scientific research and strong academic contributions.
The Board reviewed several administrative and educational development plans aimed at improving institutional efficiency and supporting the university’s long-term growth strategy. Members also discussed reports submitted by the Finance, Academic, Internal Audit, Compliance, and Financial Resources Development Committees.
The university presented its achievements from the past academic period, including major developments in educational and practical training infrastructure. These projects include the launch of a mobile veterinary clinic and a smart farm to improve practical learning and scientific research opportunities for students.
Officials also highlighted improvements in the student learning environment through the addition of modern facilities, advanced equipment, and upgraded research training systems. These efforts support the university’s mission to prepare highly skilled professionals for the agricultural and veterinary sectors while contributing to sustainability and food security goals.
The Board discussed partnerships with leading international universities to introduce dual-degree programmes in specialised fields. It also reviewed plans for summer training programmes, including a programme for students from the Royal Agricultural University scheduled for summer 2026.
Aisha Ahmed Bushlaibi, Chancellor of the University of Al Dhaid, presented a summary of the university’s key achievements. These included the accreditation of the university’s Skills Development Center as a professional development centre by a UK-accredited organisation, along with progress in scientific research during the academic year.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Sheikh Sultan visited a student exhibition showcasing innovative research projects focused on sustainability, food security, veterinary health, and smart agriculture technologies. Students presented projects designed to improve soil quality, reduce water consumption, and treat crop damage using natural materials.
The exhibition also featured sustainable agricultural systems combining fish farming with vertical farming technologies to support the UAE’s environmental and food security goals.
Sheikh Sultan reviewed projects related to veterinary medicine and public health, including awareness initiatives about the proper use of antibiotics and their impact on human and animal health. He also observed modern teaching technologies used in laboratories, including simulation systems, radiation tools, and 3D educational models.
The Sharjah Ruler also inspected the university’s mobile veterinary clinic, which aims to improve students’ practical clinical skills and strengthen ethical veterinary practices. Officials explained that the clinic would help students better understand animal care and community needs in the veterinary sector.
During the visit, Sheikh Sultan reviewed ongoing and future university expansion projects, including a modern 1,000-seat theatre equipped with advanced facilities, classrooms, workshops, and multi-purpose halls.
He also examined plans for the university mosque, which will include a men’s prayer hall for 1,400 worshippers and a women’s prayer hall with space for 450 worshippers.
The university additionally showcased plans for new agricultural laboratories, including four agricultural labs, a seed laboratory, two greenhouses, and other research facilities aimed at strengthening practical training in sustainable agriculture and food security.
Student facilities are also being expanded with the addition of 640 shaded parking spaces to improve campus services.
Sheikh Sultan later visited the exhibition of the Sharjah Agricultural and Livestock Production Foundation – EKTIFA, where several new organic food products were unveiled. These included Mleiha dried milk, mozzarella cheese, organic harissa grains, low-fat dairy products, cereal flakes, and premium “Qand” chocolate.
The foundation also announced plans to launch high-protein milk for athletes containing up to 43 percent protein, along with a new honey product called “Zahrat Al-Samar.”
Officials stated that EKTIFA plans to introduce around 140 organic food products to UAE markets over the next three years as part of efforts to strengthen local food production, sustainability, and food self-sufficiency.
