Deans from UAE universities discuss engineering education
Over 80 experts gather in the first UAE Engineering Deans Annual Symposium, hosted by the AUS, to deliberate on crucial topics pertaining to engineering education and its intersection with industry demands
More than 80 attendees including engineering deans from universities across the UAE recently gathered in the first UAE Engineering Deans Annual Symposium, organised by the Ministry of Education Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) and hosted by American University of Sharjah (AUS), to deliberate on crucial topics pertaining to engineering education and its intersection with industry demands.
Under the theme “Bridging the Gap between Engineering Education and Industry in UAE,” the event commenced with welcome remarks by Dr Tod Laursen, Chancellor of AUS, and Professor Mohamed Yousif Baniyas, Director of CAA.
“In today’s rapidly evolving landscape, strategic collaboration between academia and industry is paramount. The UAE Engineering Deans Annual Symposium serves as a catalyst for forging strong partnerships and driving innovation that will shape the future of engineering education and industry in the UAE and beyond,” said Dr Laursen.
Professor Baniyas noted that CAA is a UAE government agency responsible for licensing higher education institutions and evaluating their academic programs for accreditation. It works with both international and local authorities to safeguard academic standards and enhance the learning experience for students in higher education institutions.
The symposium featured three insightful presentations focusing on crucial aspects such as the attributes of engineering graduates needed in the market, market statistics of engineering disciplines and perspectives on developing engineering programs to produce industry-ready engineers.
Additionally, three panel discussions facilitated engaging discourse among renowned industry and academic experts on topics including engineering accreditation challenges, fostering entrepreneurship among engineering students and redefining engineering education in the era of AI.
Overall, the symposium provided a comprehensive exploration of key topics in engineering education and industry, fostering valuable discussions and insights for all attendees.
Recently, WAM reported that that research at American University of Sharjah is set to grow with the launch of three cutting-edge research centres, each dedicated to addressing critical challenges and driving innovation in their respective fields. The launch was announced at the AUS Innovation Expo: Future of Research and Technology in the UAE on May 6.
The Energy, Water and Sustainable Environment Research Centre in the AUS College of Engineering aims to address sustainability challenges in line with the UAE Net Zero 2050 and the National Water and Energy Demand Management Program. Similarly, the Centre for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Sustainable Development in the AUS School of Business Administration focuses on supporting the UAE’S National Entrepreneurship Agenda, fostering an entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The Materials Research Centre in the AUS College of Arts and Sciences is dedicated to driving innovation in advanced materials, energy and the environment, aligning with the UAE Economic Vision 2030.
Dr Mohamad El Tarhuni, Interim Provost and Chief Academic Officer at AUS, said, “Cultivating a culture of research excellence is pivotal in our mission at AUS. The establishment of these transformative research centres underscores our strategic commitment to not only addressing pressing global challenges but also positioning ourselves at the forefront of innovation. Through rigorous inquiry and interdisciplinary collaboration, we aim to chart new territories and make enduring contributions to the advancement of knowledge and society.”
American University of Sharjah has made notable strides and is now positioned among the top 150 universities in Asia in the latest Times Higher Education (THE) Asia University Ranking for 2024.
This achievement marks a significant advancement from its previous standing among the top 250 universities in Asia last year.
The updated methodology in the Asia University Rankings 2024 reflects recent changes in THE World University Rankings, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of research-intensive universities across five core missions: teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook and industry.