Scientific Affairs Department
About the unit
To become a pioneer in providing innovative and advanced solutions to scientific and technological issues, and to contribute effectively to achieving sustainable development.
Supporting and promoting the culture of scientific research and creativity at the university by providing a stimulating environment for researchers, directing research towards achieving academic excellence and technological development, and developing partnerships with society and industry to transform ideas into practical solutions that contribute to serving society
1- Encouraging scientific research
2. Enhancing co-operation and partnerships
3- Developing research and development capabilities
4- Transforming research into practical applications
5- Promoting Innovation and Entrepreneurship
6- Publishing scientific research
7. Achieving sustainability
Annual Strategic Plan (ASP)
The first topic: Strengthening research capabilities
1- Supporting researchers and developing their skills
1.1 To organise specialised workshops annually to train researchers on advanced research skills such as research writing, statistical analysis, and the use of specialised software.
1.2 To encourage researchers to participate in local and international conferences.
2- Development of Research Infrastructure
2.1 To update and equip research laboratories with the latest technical equipment needed to support research in areas of specialisation
2.2 To develop an integrated database of current research and facilitate researchers’ access to it
The second topic: Building Strategic Partnerships
1. Enhance local and international co-operation
1.1 To hold annual cooperation agreements with local and international academic and research institutions to promote research cooperation and exchange of expertise
1.2 To launch joint research programmes with industry to develop practical solutions to industry challenges
1.3 Organise annual events that bring together academics and employers to exchange ideas and explore opportunities for collaboration
The third topic: Supporting Innovation and Entrepreneurship
1- Stimulate creative ideas
1.1 To organise an annual innovation and entrepreneurship competition for students and researchers, with financial prizes and support to turn ideas into real-life projects
1.2 Establish a technology incubator to support annual start-ups based on research innovations
2. To develop financial support programmes
2.1 To provide material and moral incentives to researchers who obtain patents or publish their research in international repositories
The fourth topic: Improving the quality of research and publication
1- Supporting the dissemination of scientific research
1.1 Support the publication of research in peer-reviewed journals and prestigious international conferences
1.2 Organise training courses on how to publish research in high impact factor journals
2- Raising the university’s research ranking
2.1 Develop a plan to improve global ranking standards by increasing the number of research papers published in indexed journals
2.2 Supporting researchers in patenting and applying research in the fields of science, engineering and technology
The fifth topic: Achieving Sustainability and Promoting Social Responsibility
1- Orienting research towards sustainable development
1.1 Encourage research that contributes to solving environmental, social and economic challenges at the local level
2- Interacting with the community
2.1 Organise workshops and lectures open to the public to raise awareness of the role of scientific research in serving society
1- Reviewing and improving student services
1.1 To conduct an annual survey to measure student satisfaction with the quality of education and university services, while developing a plan to improve underperforming areas
1.2 To hold bi-annual listening sessions with students to discuss their challenges and suggestions to improve the quality of the educational process and services
2- Developing mechanisms for evaluating students’ academic performance
2.1 Review the mechanisms for evaluating students’ academic performance and ensure they are in line with national and international standards
2.2 Provide recommendations to the University Council and the Quality Assurance Council to improve assessment methods in order to raise the quality of education and improve the educational experience of students.
Performance Indicators
1- Increase in the number of research papers published in peer-reviewed journals
2- Number of new collaboration agreements per year with local and international organisations
3- Number of material and moral rewards provided to researchers
4- Number of training workshops for researchers