Zayed University

University College delivers a standardized interdisciplinary General Education Program to all undergraduate students during their first two semesters at Zayed University[18] and consists of four specialized departments that provide comprehensive support and instruction for students.[18]

Undergraduate Programs[20]

• Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Animation Design
• Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Graphic Design
• Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Interior Design
• Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Visual Art
• Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Multimedia Design

Undergraduate Programs[22]

• Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Accounting
• Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Finance
• Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Human Resource Management
• Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Marketing and Entrepreneurship

Graduate Programs[23]

• Executive Master of Business Administration[24]
• Master of Science (M.S.) in Finance[25]

Undergraduate Programs[26]

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Communication and Media Sciences with Concentrations in:

• Integrated Strategic Communications
• Tourism and Cultural Communications
• Media Production and Storytelling

Graduate Programs[27]

Master of Arts (M.A.) in Communication Concentrations in:

• Tourism and Cultural Communication[28]
• Strategic Public Relations[29]

Undergraduate Program[31]

• Bachelor of Science (B.S.Ed.) in Education with Concentration in Early Childhood Education (PreK-Grade 3)

Graduate Program[32]

• Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Administration[32]

Undergraduate Programs[34]

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in International Studies with Concentrations in:

• International Relations
• Middle East/Gulf Studies
• Political Economy & Development

Graduate Programs

• Masters in Diplomacy and International Affairs[35]
• Master of Arts (M.A.) in Judicial Studies[36]

Undergraduate Programs

• Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Public Health and Nutrition[38]
• Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Environmental Science and Sustainability[39]
• Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Psychology[40]

Undergraduate Programs[42]

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Information Technology with Concentration in

• Security and Network Technologies
• Web and Mobile Application Development

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Information System and Technology Management with Concentration in

• Management Information Systems
• Enterprise Systems
• Business Intelligence

Graduate Programs

• Master of Science (M.S.) in Information Technology Concentration in Cyber Security[43]

The Zayed University Student Accessibility Services Department[44] provides support and equal education opportunities for students with diverse learning needs. The Department’s mission is to ensure that all students, regardless of ability, receive a first-class education and achieve their potential.[45]

The Student Accessibility Services Department consists of three state-of-the-art centers:

• Khalaf Al Habtoor Assistive Technology Resource Center, Dubai, established in 2012.[46][47]
• Humaid Mater Al Tayer Assistive Technology Resource Center, Abu Dhabi, established in 2014.[46][48]
• Abdul Wahid Al Rostamni Inclusive Learning Center, Dubai, established 2019.[46][49]

The Khalaf Al Habtoor and Humaid Mater Al Tayer Assistive Technology Resource Centers are equipped with the latest assistive technology devices to accommodate the needs of students with disabilities. The centers provide access to specialist resources and educational materials along with specialized training for students and faculty. The centers provide key curriculum resources in Braille and utilize the following assistive tools: Braille Sense Polaris, Braille Sense U2, Clear View Magnifier, Braille Printer Premier 80 to accommodate the needs of visually-impaired students.[50]

The Abdul Wahid Al Rostamni Inclusive Learning Center, inspired by Apple technology, offers an innovative space for students, faculty and staff which facilitates teaching, learning and research at the highest standards. Apple accessibility features and apps equip differently abled students with equal educational opportunities and the necessary skills to be independent learners.[49]

In 2016, SAS received the Apple Distinguished School Award[51] for the use of Apple enhanced assistive technology to aid in the academic, social and vocational support of its students.

Zayed University’s two state-of-the-art libraries facilitate teaching, learning and research through the delivery of a wide variety of services.[52] An extensive and growing collection of digital and physical materials serves the needs of the university community and provides support for individual college curriculums.[53]

The Curriculum Resources Center houses educational materials to support students within the College of Education and facilitate teacher training.[52]

The Zayed University Emirates Collection houses materials about the United Arab Emirates and books by Emiratis authors.[52]

Established in 2013,[56] The Film and Library Archive at Zayed University is the first of its kind in the region.[57] The collection will act as a repository for the UAE film industry, preserve works by Emirati filmmakers and include films produced about the UAE. The collection also includes materials associated with filmmaking including posters, scripts, artwork, production stills, and press kits.[58]

The University Archives serves as the official repository for university records that are deemed to have “historical, administrative, academic legal, and/or fiscal value.”[59]

The Zayed University Learning Commons compliment university curriculums by providing comprehensive academic support services to enhance educational development. The LLC collaborates with colleges to provide support in academic writing, language, mathematics, and study skills.[60]

In 2011, the newly constructed Abu Dhabi Campus library was inaugurated housing 150,000 books from the collection. At 40,000 sqm, the library is one of the largest in the Middle East.[61]

• Research Incentive Funds (RIF)[63]

This competitive grant funds faculty research over a period of one to two years and was designed to support and enhance the research culture at Zayed University.[63] Researchers receive grants that range from a maximum of 30,000AED for individual one year projects to a maximum of 150,000AED for team grants.[63]

• Provost's Research Fellowship Awards[64]

The Provost’s Office provides support to faculty in the process of completing a major scholarly project.[64] Six fellowships are granted per academic semester.[64]

• Start-Up Grants for New Faculty[65]

This grants was designed to support newly hired faculty complete previously existing research projects or begin new research . Grants can range up to a maximum of 20,000AED for non-lab based projects and a maximum of 30,000AED for lab-based projects.[65]

• Research Clusters[66]

A new initiative was established in 2016 to encourage cross-discipline collaboration among faculty.[66] A maximum of 50,000AED per project is allocated.[66]

Zayed University emphasizes experiential learning and supports a dynamic research culture through the establishment of cutting-edge laboratories on both campuses.

• Fabrication Lab (3D Printing, Laser, prototype digital manufacturing)[67][68][69]

• Bloomberg Finance Lab[70][71]

• du Multimedia Labs[72][73][74][75][76]

• Air Quality Lab[77]
• Aqueous Geochemistry Laboratory[77]
• Cognition and Neuroscience Lab[77] * Microbiology Laboratory[77]
• Environmental Simulation and Remote Sensing Lab[77]
• Hydroponic Lab[78]
• Hyperspectroscopy Lab[77]
• Instrumentation Lab[77]
• Marine Science Lab[77]
• Nutrient Analysis Laboratory[77]
• Organic Chemistry Lab[77]

• Advance Cyber Forensics Research Lab[79][80]
• Capstone Lab[81]
• Cisco Regional Academy Lab[82]
• Database Lab[83]
• Digital Forensics Lab[84]
• Enterprise Systems Lab[85]
• Game Development Lab[86]
• Graduate Lab[87]
• Hardware Lab[88]
• Human Computer Interaction Lab[89]
• Information Security Lab[90]
• Intelligent Remote Sensing and Tracking Lab[91]
• Multimedia Lab[92]
• Networking Lab[93]
• Operating Systems Lab[94]
• SMART Lab[95]

The Undergraduate Research Scholars Program was launched in 2010 to encourage and support undergraduate student research.[96] The competitive program provides students with faculty mentorship, workshops and lectures over a two and a half year period[79] during the course of their studies. Students are expected to produce original research that is submitted to international academic journals at the end of the program.[79]

In December 2010, the Federal National Council queried the competency of the university's senior management. According to The National, Zayed University was reported to owe over Dh33 million in unpaid water and electricity bills.[103]

According to The National, three people held the position of provost between April and June 2011, with a total of seven provosts between 1998 and 2011. This was confusing.[104]

In 2012, the effectiveness of its teacher education program was questioned. According to The National, none of the 110 teachers it produced between 2010 and 2012 were employed by the Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC); ADEC allegedly claimed the university produced lazy and poorly skilled graduates.[105]

[106] Following His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Maitha Al Shamsi was instated as president in 2013.[107] Al Shamsi was followed by Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna Khalid Al Qasimi, who was appointed president in 2014.[108]

As well as existing concerns over academic integrity, transparency, and plagiarism at Zayed University, concerns have been raised about the weak academic credentials and lack of international experience among the new management.[109]

In August 2008, Emirati staff received a 28% pay award, whereas foreign faculty received a 5% pay award. The university would not comment on the case.[110]

In January 2011, The National reported that Zayed University staff would receive a 2% pay raise retroactive to August 2010.

Zayed University’s mission from the very outset has been to provide high-quality academic programs and services that align with international standards and best practices.[111]

The professor, Matt J. Duffy, expressed concern that his activities-—which included writing for Gulf News, launching a student chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, and teaching objectively about the U.A.E.'s media laws—-may have led to his dismissal.[112] Despite claiming to follow Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights in its MSCHE Self-Study ("Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas through any media regardless of frontiers"), the university would not comment on the case in public.[113]

Materials deemed to be offensive are removed from the University Library, or are deposited in a locked holding space called Special Collections. Students must obtain faculty approval in order to access these materials, which include books on nursing, art magazines, human sexuality, and books containing views critical of religion.[114] Librarians at Zayed University must consider censorship and culturally appropriate attitudes toward access and authority when teaching information literacy.[115]