SCFA, UoS ink MoU to enhance cooperation on research studies
The Supreme Council for Family Affairs in Sharjah (SCFA) and the University of Sharjah (UoS) on Monday have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate in and support research studies, enhance mutual cooperation, and exchange experiences. This comes as part of the interest of both sides in the scientific research and its importance in drafting developmental strategies for the UAE families and fulfilling the current and future needs of society.
The agreement was signed by Her Excellency Dr. Khawla Al Mulla, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, and His Excellency Dr. Hamid Majool Al Nuaimi, President of the University.
The signing ceremony took place at the UoS Campus, in the presence of Prof. Sherif Sedky, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Prof. Maamar Bettayeb Vice Chancellor for Research & Graduate Studies, Prof. Qutayba Hamid, Dean of College OF Medicine, Dr. Salah Taher AL Haj, Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs, Prof. Fakir AL Gharaibeh, Acting Director of Research Institute of Humanities & Social Sciences (RIHSS), and Hanadi Saleh Al Yafei, Child Safety Department Director.
According to the agreement, the two parties will collaborate in providing specialized research services that help achieve sustainable development of the family, woman, and child, conducting joint social studies by sharing data and information, organizing family-related programs and conferences, and holding various workshops that will be moderated competent cadres and consultants.
Welcoming the signing of the agreement, Dr. Khawla Al Mulla lauded the University of Sharjah’s substantial role in serving the society at all levels, especially in the academic and research fields, stressing that the UoS has become a pioneering university locally and regionally in higher education and academic research field, thanks to the unlimited support and follow up of His Highness Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the UAE Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah.
“The MoU is s significant step forward in the Council’s programs and initiatives for the greater good of the family. It involves meaningful objectives for all family members to achieve Sharjah’s vision in building a stable and active society and empower its members to play their roles,” she added.
Al Mulla made it clear that the Council’s new strategy takes into consideration the cooperation with the academic institutions and competent authorities to build an integrated and reference database for students, researchers, and academics on family issues in the Emirate of Sharjah.
She pointed out that the agreement comes in line with the directives of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs who always calls for establishing productive partnerships with local higher education institutions and getting the most out of their academic research efforts in supporting the Council’s initiatives and programs.
Concluding her remarks, Al Mulla affirmed that the Council always strives to enhance the role of the family in society through a number of carefully selected programs and projects that provide the necessary support, consultations, and training, thus building empowered and conscious families that are capable of playing significant roles in preserving the society and its national identity and principles.
Lauding the mutual cooperation between the two entities, Dr. Hamid Majool Al Nuaimi underlined that this is a culmination of the bilateral efforts in different fields.
He added: “Being one of the top universities in the Arab region, the University of Sharjah gives special priority to serving society through the cooperation with various local institutions and authorities. And over the past years, we have completed several scientific research and studies that have been published in various international periodicals, thanks to our advanced research institutes, such as the Research Institute of Science and Engineering, the Research Institute of Medicine and Health Sciences, and the Research Institute of the Humanities and Social Sciences, and on top of that, a distinguished team of researchers in various scientific and academic disciplines.”
“The Covid-19 pandemic has manifested the urgent need to conduct more scientific research concerning the family and society and how they deal with that pandemic, which is what the university research teams have worked on in various disciplines,” he concluded.
The MoU also included the implementation of a scientific study on “parents’ consciousness about home safety and mechanisms for child accident prevention”. The study will be carried out by the Institute of Humanities & Social Sciences of the University of Sharjah and the SCFA’s Child Safety Department. The contract for study implementation was signed by Prof. Maamar Bettayeb, Vice Chancellor for Research & Graduate Studies, University of Sharjah, and Hanadi Saleh Al Yafei, Child Safety Department Director.