SCHS SIGNS MEMORANDUM WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF SHARJAH
A renewal of the understanding existing since 2005, and consolidating the fruitful cooperation between Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS) and the University of Sharjah. Her Highness Sheikha Jameela bint Mohammad Al Qasimi, Director General of the SCHS, and Dr. Hamid Majool Al Nuaimi, President of the University, signed this December a memorandum in which the two sides agreed to cooperate in the academic, research, training and other fields of common interest in the future.
Her Highness Sheikha Jameela Al Qasimi has confirmed that the memorandum comes within the framework of developing and strengthening cooperation with local, regional, and international institutions and bodies, as well as developing services that both sides would provide to people with disabilities according to international best practices. Her Highness hopes that the agreement will strongly motivate joint action between the two sides in the service of people with disabilities and society. Since its establishment in 1979, SCHS has been working to advocate, include and empower persons with disabilities through education, rehabilitation, employment, and reducing the causes of disability through early intervention and community outreach.
Sheikha Jameela Al Qasimi has confirmed that SCHS aims to provide an outstanding level of humanitarian services to its members as it adopts the issues of persons with disabilities in an effort to enable them to live independently and in dignity. It also works to achieve the principle of equal opportunities by removing moral and environmental barriers. We must mention SCHS efforts to support the Resource Center for People with Disabilities at the University of Sharjah and its great role in establishing and supporting it and providing the necessary consultations in the field of disability.
The importance of cooperation between SCHS and the university
For his part, His Excellency Dr. Hamid Majool Al-Nuaimi stressed the importance of cooperation with local institutions in order to serve and develop society. He added that the University of Sharjah has a great and long-term cooperation with Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services. Especially through the University's Resource Center for People with Disabilities, which works to provide all forms of support and care for students with disabilities. Since His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, President of the University of Sharjah, established the center. It acts as the reference body for persons with disabilities in the university, which assumes the responsibility of inclusion, integration and empowerment through a comprehensive and integrated work system that begins from students’ registration in the university through the stage of study and extending until after graduation.
The President of the University praised the great support provided by Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services to people with disabilities of various ages and nationalities in the country. In addition, to the social, educational and raising-awareness services for people with disabilities in particular and society in general.
Developing the competence of cadres
According to the memorandum, the two sides shall encourage the visits of graduate students and their working cadres for the purposes of training, exchange of experiences, lectures, conducting joint research, or participating in conferences held by them, or otherwise, in a way that contributes to developing the competence of their working cadres.
Knowledge Exchange
The two parties shall also exchange books, publications and scientific publications and establish joint research teams in the educational, medical, nutritional, sociology and related fields in addition to encouraging specialized international conferences, and developing cooperation in the field of scientific research by undertaking joint research while working to publish it in peer-reviewed journals. Moreover, the exchange of research papers, dissertations and university theses.
Accessibility
The memorandum also provides for cooperation in the field of facilitating the access of persons with disabilities to all facilities and buildings of the two parties, supporting media campaigns through social media and official approved channels, enhancing cooperation in the field of sign language, and the mutual use of sign language interpreters by both parties when necessary.
Visits and mutual training
According to this memorandum, Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services must commit to encouraging the visits of student delegations from the University of Sharjah and providing field-training opportunities for distinguished students in the specialties of medicine, physiotherapy, sociology, nutrition or other specialties. In addition, SCHS should allow university students to implement their graduation projects in its related departments, branches and centers. In addition to the participation of university employees in the activities, events and awareness campaigns organized by SCHS, as well as re-publishing the university's activities and events on SHCS’s social media platforms.
In turn, the University of Sharjah commits, according to the memorandum, to training employees with disabilities working in SCHS in the field of electronic media, graphic design, multimedia, journalism and digital media at the University's College of Communication and Media. In addition, to training employees with disabilities working in SCHS in the field of fine arts, and fashion design with Textiles, and related programs offered by the university's College of Fine Arts and Design.
Studies and research in the Privy University Journal
The university commits to reviewing studies and research prepared by SCHS research team of and publishing them in the refereed journal issued by the university whenever possible, in addition to approving the courses and training programs organized by the Ajad Training Center affiliated with SCHS as continuing education hours accredited by the university.
Based on this memorandum, the University of Sharjah commits to providing the services of Language Institute such as simultaneous translation in the courses and conferences organized by SCHS. In addition, The University would nominate graduate students in the fields of medicine, physiotherapy, sociology and nutrition for volunteer work at SCHS whenever necessary.
Educating and training students with disabilities
Furthermore, the university shall encourage students who are distinguished in designing and innovating systems, programs and applications to design and provide specialized programs suitable for the education and training of students with disabilities affiliated with SCHS, while providing technical support in the fields of design, architecture, environmental and accessibility whenever necessary.
According to the memorandum, the university shall urge its College of Health Sciences and its Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dieting to provide a specially developed program in the field of healthy, curative nutrition and diets for each of SCHS students with disabilities and their families.
Articles and studies in Al Manal E-Magazine
In conclusion, the university, according to the memorandum, shall allow the publication of educational articles, studies and the projects of its graduate students in the monthly electronic magazine Al-Manal issued by SCHS. It shall design educational and training programs for SCHS from the university.