In cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Education Council

The Department of Psychology at the United Arab Emirates University organized a meeting of psychologists from Abu Dhabi Education Council schools in the Crescent Building Theater on the Maqam campus on Monday, October 19^th, 2015. It was held in the presence of Professor Saif Al Qaydi, Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences; Mr. Mohammed Salem Al Dhaheri, Executive Director of School Operations at Abu Dhabi Education Council; professors from the Department of Psychology and psychologists working in Abu Dhabi schools.

Dr. Ahmed Al Najjar, Chairman of the Department of Psychology in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at UAEU, explained that the purpose of this meeting (the School Psychology Experts Program) was to standardize policies, regulations and procedures to regulate psychology in Abu Dhabi Education Council schools. He went on to say that, “procedures for obtaining a professional license to practice psychology in schools will be established and there will be a review of regulations for this profession, as well as developing professional titles, restricting who can practice the profession, establishing accountability and control procedures.”

UAEU and the Abu Dhabi Education Council (responsible for regulating the practice of school psychology) are partners in improving the psychological growth of students, so as to develop positive personality traits compatible with the objectives and values of UAE society. This also ensures that students receive professional services from qualified personnel.

The organizers of the program will work with the licensing committee to develop unified protocols for dealing with special situations and sensitive topics. These include: intellectual and behavioral deviation; child abuse; special needs; learning difficulties and disabilities, in addition to dealing with high achievers.