His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah, convened a meeting of the Board of Trustees at the Sharjah Maritime Academy on Thursday, hosted at their Khorfakkan headquarters.
During this pivotal gathering, His Highness revealed an exceptional donation—a modern, fully-equipped training ship designed with state-of-the-art technologies and amenities. This vessel is intended to enhance practical training for students, enabling them to acquire hands-on experience and bolster their professional capabilities.
Expressing pride in the rapid advancements of the academy, His Highness commended the administrative efforts spearheaded by Dr Hashim bin Sarhan Al Zaabi, the academy's Chancellor. He reflected on the institution's journey since its inception and the numerous challenges it has successfully navigated.
The Sharjah Ruler reiterated his unwavering support for the academy’s ambitions to deliver top-tier education and training in fields such as maritime transport, navigation, port management, marine engineering, and supply chain management. His Highness also acknowledged the crucial role played by strategic partners in the academy's ongoing development and stability.
During this meeting, the Board discussed several vital agenda points, including plans for academic advancements, partnerships with other institutions, and evaluations of performance metrics. The Board approved the budget for the academic year 2026–2027 for the academy.
Following the initial accreditation from the Commission for Academic Accreditation at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the Board greenlighted four new educational programs, which include:
In collaboration with the Cypriot Maritime Administration, the Board endorsed four additional professional maritime training programs aimed at helping seasoned seafarers progress to higher-level positions, such as ship duty officer, chief officer, second engineer, and electrical technical officer.
This partnership with Cyprus is projected to bolster the academy's international profile while enhancing job prospects for graduates and attracting more global students.
The Board also evaluated a comprehensive report from Dr Hashim Al Zaabi, outlining the academy’s academic, administrative, and research accomplishments over the previous year.
Notably, the report confirmed the renewal of the academy's institutional accreditation for four years by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research without any reported weaknesses. An expert team lauded the institution's infrastructure, educational quality, compliance, and faculty diversity.
Several programs have also achieved international accreditation, such as the Bachelor of Maritime Logistics and Supply Chain Management from the Logistics and Transportation Institute, alongside the Bachelor of Maritime Transport and the Bachelor of Marine Engineering Technology programs, which received accreditation from the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology.
The meeting also touched on initiatives to broaden maritime training and consultancy services across the UAE and the Arab region. Currently, the academy offers specialized programs for ports and maritime entities in areas like pilotage, tugboat engineering and management, port security, and ship traffic operations.
Additionally, the Board reviewed the academy's accreditation as a maritime training center in Liberia and Panama, highlighting its growing international acclaim and dedication to high-quality maritime education.
The academy has also achieved compliance certification with the international quality standard ISO 9001:2015, enhancing its stature as a globally recognized institution that adheres to standards set by the International Maritime Organization.
Finally, the Board inspected reports and recommendations from several committees, including the Academic Committee, Finance Committee, Compliance and Internal Audit Committee, and Financial Resources Development Committee before approving all necessary decisions.
The meeting was attended by notable officials, leaders from academia, and maritime experts, both from the UAE and other countries.
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