The Advisory Board of the College of Food and Agriculture at the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) met to share ideas, scientific-based practical solutions, successful experiences and learned lessons to improve the quality of education, the college’s academic programs and the skills of college’s students.

The council consists of the following members : H.E. Ghanim Mubarak Al Hajeri, Director General of Al Ain Zoo; H.E. Dr. Hussain Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Undersecretary for Health Centers and Clinics and Public Health, UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention; H.E. Dr. Majid Sultan Al Qassimi, Director of the Animal Development and Health Department at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment; H.E. Dr. Mubarak Al-Mansouri, Executive Director of the Agricultural Affairs Sector; H.E. Dr. Sheikha Al-Dhaheri, Executive Director, Biodiversity and Marine Biodiversity Sector, Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi; H.E. Dr. Mohammad Salah, Medical Director of Nestle Middle East; Prof. Bhanu Chowdhary, Dean of the College of Food and Agriculture; Dr. Aisha Salem Al Dhaheri, Vice Dean, and the academic departments’ chairs.

In his speech, Prof. Chowdhary welcomed the Advisory Board and conveyed the greetings of the university's leadership to them, wishing them success in reaching conclusions and recommendations that enhance the college’s education, help explore solutions to face challenges and further the college’s partnerships.

H.E. Ghanim Mubarak Al-Hajeri, Board President, said that “the council enhances the university's relations with the community and provides opportunities for effective institutional partnerships by providing feedback on job prospects of the college’s graduates in the labor market and ways of improving the college’s internship programs. The council also aims to activate the college's efforts to obtain financial support for its initiatives, identify research funding opportunities, and contribute to the UAE knowledge-based economy by preparing qualified cadres.”

H.E. Dr. Majid  Sultan Al Qassimi, said, "the council is a platform to look for ways of improving academic programs and learning outputs, establish educational priorities and innovations and provide consultations on current and proposed academic programs in line with the UAE current and future labor market”.

Dr. Aisha Al-Dhaheri, stressed the importance of holding the meeting as it plays a role in enhancing the college's community partnerships and strengthening relations with strategic partners to contribute to the formation of the college's strategy. The Council includes representatives from vital institutions and sectors specializing in the same disciplines of the College of Food and Agriculture.

"Some of the most important topics raised at the meeting were the college’s strategy, highlighting the most important achievements of its academic programs that are internationally accredited and the scientific research and innovations, and the means used to enhance students' professional skills to qualify them to meet labor market’s requirements, as well as the college’s current challenges and the methods used to face challenges,” explained Dr. Aisha Al Dhaheri.

The meeting came out with significant recommendations including supporting and fostering students' hands-on training programs that students can join no earlier than the end of the foundation year, determining the key priorities of the college's strategy in the coming years; discussing ways of facilitating financial grants for scientific research and student educational opportunities.