The UAE University and the Ministry of Social Affairs Sunday, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Sunday, November 1st, 2015, in the presence of His Excellency Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Chancellor of the UAE University, Her Excellency Maryam Mohammed Khalfan Al Roumi, Minister of Social Affairs, His Excellency Dr. Ali Rashid Al Noaimi, Vice Chancellor of the UAE University, and His Excellency Naji Al Hai, Acting Undersecretary of the Ministry of Social Affairs.
The MOU aims to establish cooperation in areas of mutual interest, and work to achieve benefits for the two parties through the exchange of capabilities and expertise that complement each other and promote social work in the country.
His Excellency Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan stressed that the UAE University is committed to consolidating the bonds of cooperation and partnership with the concerned authorities to provide the requirements and needs of the community, in order to support research and development and build research capacity, so as to achieve the national objectives in the social and voluntary area, and create a joint working environment that supports the strategic plans of both parties.
His Excellency the Minister explained that the University is working to supply the society with research and social studies required to achieve the desired objectives, through the development of research and supporting decision makers in the social issues for the development of social services, and working on creating sustainable community-based solutions that achieve well-being for the society.
His Excellency added: “The University will work continuously to strengthen its partnership with the various community institutions, by emphasizing its leading role in the transfer of knowledge and skills, which is demonstrated through its interest in signing agreements and memoranda of understanding with various sectors of community institutions”.
For her part, Her Excellency Maryam Mohammed Khalfan Al Roumi praised the leading role of the UAE University in its preparation of specialized national cadres able to take responsibility and build a better future, and its contributions in conducting studies and research to find scientific solutions to help decision-makers in making policies, in addition to the wealth of knowledge it possesses, which the Ministry can benefit from in various strategic areas.
Her Excellency also pointed out that the UAE University has a vital and important role in attracting students and motivating them to engage in the social labor market, as the State with all its institutions concerned with social work is in need of qualified human cadres able to develop innovative ideas in this area, and that the University has a significant contribution through the development of social and specialized areas, which contribute to the development of social work in the country in various sectors, such as caring for the elderly and the disabled, and other fields relevant to social work.
Both parties seek to promote fruitful cooperation relations through the implementation of joint research and studies, which would strengthen the national indicators and the issuance of social policies, in addition to the development of disciplines that work to supplement social work, and implementation of research, studies, and working papers in the field of innovation.
The MOU also included the training of UAE University’s students in disciplines and works related to the Ministry of Social Affairs and its centers, in addition to encouraging students to volunteer in the areas of social service.
