Industry advisors provide feedback for engineering programs at Sharjah Higher Colleges of Technology

The aim of the review was to examine curriculum, facilities and equipment in order to ensure that programs continue to meet the changing and rigorous demands of industry.

In addition to providing feedback on existing programs, the committee, which includes appointed representatives from Sharjah Airport Authority, SEWA, Emirates Transport, BP-Amico, Umm Al Quwain Radio Station, DAFCO, Al Thuraya, Dubai Municipality, and faculty experts from the colleges, also considered prospective programs that could be offered in the future. Proposals included facilities management, production/industrial engineering and biomedical engineering: a program currently planned to be offered at Sharjah Women's College in the next academic year.

An additional purpose of the meeting was to introduce the committee to recently approved plans for a new, 10 million-dirham academic building for engineering and education programs at Sharjah Women's College. One wing of this 5,000 square meter facility, already under construction, will offer state-of-the-art engineering laboratories, wireless Internet classrooms, and a multi-media lecture theatre.

'We place great value on the work of our advisory committees' said Ged Ryan, Head of Career Programs at Sharjah HCT. 'We are very grateful to the commitment of the engineering committee in providing the feedback necessary to develop top quality programs. It is through this continued help and support that we have further, been able to produce graduates with exceptional professional and academic competencies', added Ryan.

The Engineering Department at Sharjah Men's College currently offers programs in electronics, mechatronics and construction. Sharjah Women's College offers a specific 'Engineering for Women' program, which currently offers electronic engineering and will soon additionally offer biomedical engineering.