His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has announced that Al Dhaid University will be officially inaugurated on September 16, 2024 — the latest milestone in Sharjah's growing higher-education sector and a signal of the emirate's commitment to food security and agricultural expertise.
A University Built Around Economic Need
Sheikh Sultan was direct about the rationale for establishing Al Dhaid University. Unlike institutions that offer broad, general programmes, this university will focus exclusively on disciplines that are critical to the regional economy — Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine. The Ruler noted that graduates of broad-based programmes often struggle to secure relevant employment, whereas Al Dhaid University is designed to produce specialists that the UAE labour market genuinely needs.
Registration is now open. Qualified secondary school graduates are encouraged to apply, particularly for the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, which Sheikh Sultan described as a rigorous and demanding course of study comparable in depth and cost to human medicine.
Two Faculties at Launch
Al Dhaid University will open with two faculties:
- Faculty of Agriculture — fully accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) and ready to receive its first cohort. - Faculty of Veterinary Medicine — at the final stages of obtaining its accreditation from MOHE.
The inauguration is scheduled two weeks after the start of the academic calendar, allowing students time to settle into their programmes before the formal opening ceremony.
Practical Training at the Core
Al Dhaid University's Agriculture faculty offers a four-year programme built around substantial hands-on experience. Students will train on operational farms covering wheat, dairy, poultry, vegetables, and fruit production — combining classroom theory with real-world agricultural practice in line with Sheikh Sultan's vision for the institution.
Veterinary Hospital for Students and the Community
A veterinary hospital is currently under construction near the university campus. The facility will serve a dual purpose: providing clinical training for veterinary students and delivering animal healthcare services — including diagnosis, treatment, and surgery — to the surrounding region. Beyond the hospital's internal clinics, mobile and outreach services are planned for the areas of Suhaila and Mleiha, extending comprehensive veterinary care to communities around Al Dhaid.
