A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN SCHS AND THE UNIVERSITY OF SHARJAH IN ORGANIZING
In order to consolidate the fruitful cooperation between Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS) and the University of Sharjah in the academic, research, training and other fields of common interest, the two sides agreed on a strategic partnership in organizing the International Scientific Conference “Rare Disabilities Associated with Disability”. The event will take place on February 27 and 28, 2023.
Her Excellency Ms. Mona Abdul Karim has confirmed that the cooperation between SCHS and the university is not recent; it goes back to several years. It will continue in the future with the aim of serving the community and developing programs for people with disabilities in accordance with international best practices.
She pointed out the great cooperation between the two sides represented by the Resource Center for People with Disabilities at the university, which works to provide all forms of support and care for students with disabilities, since its establishment by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.
She said, "The door is open from now until November 15, 2022 for specialists, doctors, researchers and parents wishing to submit working papers, experiences and success stories, or attend workshops within the conference. The criteria adopted by SCHS and the university for accepting working papers, experiments and research are summarized as follows”:
That scientific research, experiments or workshops address one of the conference’s themes and contributing to achieving its goals. Papers and researches submitted are subject to evaluation by a specialized scientific committee that has the right to reject any participation without giving reasons.
It also accepts participations in the form of "scientific experiments" that have been applied during work for at least one year, or serious scientific research in this field, and the results and impact of these experiments have been clearly and scientifically measured.
Entries submitted for the first time are preferred. If the research has been previously submitted or published in scientific forums or journals, the applicant must mention this, if the age of the scientific research does not exceed two years. Preference will be given to more recent studies that have not been submitted to other bodies or conferences.
The Director of SCHS added, "The paper presenter must be a worker or researcher in the field with experience that qualifies him to participate. Scientific researches or working papers are accepted in both Arabic and English, if the research summary is in Arabic and English, it should consist (300-500 words). It should include the title, objectives and sample of the research. It should mention its scientific method and the most important results, noting that SCHS will exclude any working paper that arrives late or does not meet the required conditions.
The initial acceptance is not final until after the submission of the complete paper or a complete and clear conception within the prescribed period and the final response thereafter with approval. Bearing in mind that the names of all participants must be included in the “paper” and they must authorize only one person or two to the maximum extent to participate and present the paper on their behalf.
DR. HAMID MAJOUL AL-NUAIMI'S STATEMENT
For his part, His Excellency Dr. Hamid Majul Al Nuaimi, Director of the University of Sharjah, has stressed the importance of organizing such specialized scientific conferences, which put the needs of people with disabilities at the top of the priorities for the University of Sharjah. The university is under the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah; founder of the University, and with the support and patronage of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, President of the University of Sharjah. It is one of the leading universities in the Arab world and internationally in achieving comprehensive empowerment of persons with disabilities at the academic and societal levels. Through the comprehensive system of support and care represented by the Resource Center for People with Disabilities at the university as the reference body concerned with achieving support, inclusion and empowerment for all categories of persons with disabilities at the university, and intensifying efforts made in partnership between the University and SCHS. All efforts contributed to achieving the vision of the Emirate of Sharjah of being friendly to people with motor disabilities and amputations.
In this context, the Conference of Rare Syndromes Associated with Disability, organized by SCHS in strategic partnership with the University of Sharjah, comes as a practical application of scientific and societal efforts and leading global and local practices in the field of rare syndromes associated with disability. It is an important field that calls for more serious and sober scientific research from researchers specializing in the University of Sharjah, especially with regard to its educational and psychological aspects. These aspects receive attention disproportionate to their importance and lasting effects on the lives of individuals and families. The event aims to grant SCHS, under the guidance and patronage of its President, Her Excellency Sheikha Jamila bint Muhammad Al Qasimi, the leading role in addressing its various aspects and unifying scientific efforts in accordance with the conference multiple themes. It deals with all aspects of interest to researchers and families.
The President of the University added that this conference aims to raise awareness about the latest developments and medical, practical, educational and rehabilitative practices for people with rare syndromes. It would highlight and provide new knowledge and exchange distinguished experiences about educational and rehabilitation services for people with rare syndromes. In addition, it would improve the quality of life for people with rare syndromes and their families; unify efforts and coordinate services provided by different parties to people with rare syndromes, and identifying solutions to some issues and difficulties through reviewing some successful Arab and international experiences.
CONFERENCE THEMES
SCHS international conference includes four themes. The medical theme, in which the working papers and interventions will discuss a set of points. The most important of which are detection, early diagnosis, facilitating access to specialized care and preventive treatment, psychological support for people with rare syndromes, medical interventions in critical cases, genetic tests, and nutrition therapy.
The educational and rehabilitation theme would include assessment methods and measurement methodologies used with people with rare syndromes, appropriate educational programs and environments. Behavioral, psychological and cognitive patterns characteristic of some syndromes will be discussed. In addition to supportive services (Assistive Technologies, Communication, Physical and Occupational Therapy), and the integration of students with rare syndromes in schools.
Within the family counseling theme, we will talk about supporting families of people with rare syndromes, helping families to obtain services at an early date, and about genetic counseling for families of people with rare syndromes, with experiences, and stories.
The Art Therapy theme will address the creative aspects of people with rare syndromes, the impact of art on developing their personal skills, and the role of the media in raising awareness of rare syndromes.
OBJECTIVES
A group of the most important specialists, doctors, researchers, parents and workers in the field will attend the conference. It aims at raising awareness about the latest developments and medical, practical, educational and rehabilitative practices for people with rare syndromes to provide new knowledge and exchange experiences about educational and rehabilitation services for people with rare syndromes. In addition to improving the quality of life for people with rare syndromes and their families, unifying efforts and coordinating the services provided by different agencies for people with rare syndromes, identify solutions to some issues and difficulties by looking at some successful experiences.