Zayed University announces the five year strategic plan

During a press conference held yesterday on Zayed University Abu Dhabi Campus, Dr. Sulaiman Al Jassim Vice President of Zayed University, and Dr. Daniel Johnson Provost of Zayed University announced that the five year strategic plan focuses within it's initiatives on:
1- Service to Community and Nation through: Outreach, Engagement, and Research, Academic Graduate Programs and Academic Undergraduate Programs.
2- Leadership: Education, Academic Leadership, Institutional Leadership.
3- Quality Assurance: Accreditation, Assessment and Program Review, Facilities.
4- Innovative Uses of Technology in: Student Learning and Administration.

Dr. Sulaiman Al Jassim explained that Zayed University will launch several initiatives discussed within the five year strategic plan which include establishing the Institute for Islamic World to strengthen the capacity of Islamic communities in adapting their discourses to current conditions and to encourage dialogue between the Islamic civilizations and other civilizations worldwide; developing the Zayed University Institute for Community Engagement as the primary conduit for continuing education, training, applied research, and service provided for the community and the nation by the University; and finally the Zayed University Judicial Academy for the professional and continuing education of the judicial branch of the U.A.E. government.

He added, "We also plan to establish the Zayed University Academy in partnership with one or more Emirates, a research-based model for secondary education in the U.A.E, the Zayed Diplomatic Academy to provide education and training for future UAE diplomats, and the Institute for Social and Economic Research which allows the University to respond to governmental and private sector requests for applied research."

"In addition the University will initiate the work of the U.A.E. Center for Bilingualism and Bilingual Education to promote high levels of academic and professional proficiency in Modern Standard Arabic and English among Arabic-speaking peoples of the U.A.E., the Gulf, and the wider Arab world," he added.

On his part Dr. Daniel Johnson said, "The five year plan also includes initiatives to establish new Graduate Academic Programs such as Global Logistics and Supply Chain Management as a joint project of the College of Business Sciences and the College of Information Technology that can answer a significant need in the civil government, the military, and private industry."

"A graduate program in Cultural Heritage Management in Abu Dhabi that will prepare Emiratis to lead efforts in preserving and presenting the cultural heritage of the U.A.E. and to fill professional roles in museums and archives is also planned. Zayed University will develop a graduate program in Public Health that will prepare graduate students for leadership roles in the nationwide effort to reduce environmental risk and to improve the health and well-being of the population," Daniel said.

Dr. Johnson added, "The University plans to establish Zayed University College for International and Advanced Studies which will be staffed by visiting international scholars who would lead seminars and conduct classes for visiting international students and the best of U.A.E. students. Zu will also establish an undergraduate major in multimedia communications, as a joint project of the College of Information Technology, the College of Communication and Media Sciences, and the Department of Art and Design that will prepare students for professional roles in the growing practice of using a variety of media in communicating messages.

"In addition the University will establish a Department of Science that will create courses for new majors in science through appointments of faculty in physics, chemistry and biology and the appointment of a Professor for Public Understanding and Appreciation for Science. The University's Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics will significantly strengthen Applied Mathematics and Statistics to enhance the education of all students in mathematics. The Department will develop mathematics and statistics as a more prominent discipline at the University," he added.

While the Department of Emirati Studies will be established to assist students in identifying, interpreting, evaluating and preserving Emirati national heritage.

AS part of it's vision, Zayed University will also focus within the upcoming years on quality assurance within it's colleges and programs, through pursuing and obtaining international accreditation for disciplinary programs in business, education, information technology, communications and media sciences, and art and design, in addition to preparing for the reaffirmation of accreditation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education by complying with recommendations and adopting as appropriate the suggestions in the 2008 report.

Academic Symposium

Later, His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research President of Zayed University inaugurated the 8th Annual Academic Symposium for the academic year 2009, which was held under the theme 'Showcasing Students' Excellence' at Zayed University Abu Dhabi Campus, in the presence of Lt. General Hamad M. Thani Al Romaithi, Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Dr. Sulaiman Al Jassim Vice President of Zayed University.

"This annual Festival of student achievement is an excellent opportunity to express gratitude to our leaders for their strong support of Zayed University,"

said H.E Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan.

He added, "We appreciate the guidance and leadership of His Highness, the President, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahayan. His generosity and encouragement have allowed Zayed University to be responsive and effective in the service of the United Arab Emirates. I also take this opportunity to thank His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahayan for his generous support of Zayed University and its students."

His Excellency added, "Capstone projects are tangible outcomes of the educational activities of Zayed University. The University enables its students to achieve their highest potential in an environment that emphasizes excellence and achievement. I am hopeful that the Capstone experience will give each student a sense of accomplishment, a sense that her intellectual life has been enhanced, and a sense that the University provides her with the best possible learning environment."

H.E Sheikh Nahayan said, "As it is my custom each year, I take the opportunity of this academic festival to reiterate the importance of student learning at Zayed University. We want Zayed University to always be a true learning community. To succeed in this endeavor, all programs must be organized around clearly defined learning objectives and outcomes; active learning must be emphasized and promoted; students' high performance is expected; interactive methods of instruction are used; faculty and students work together to strengthen teaching and learning; systematic evaluation procedures are employed; internal communication is fostered; and faculty members work together to share successful instructional methods."

"If we are successful as a learning community, our graduates will be well prepared to cope with the changing conditions in society and in the world. They will be able to realize their full potential, both personally and in contribution to the economy and society," H.E added.

Following His Excellency's speech, a students from each of Zayed University's 5 colleges showcased and presented their featured capstone projects, then His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan presented 4 students from the College of Communication and Media Sciences with the President's capstone award for their project titled 'Voices of our Grandparents'.