H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member, Ruler of Sharjah, and President of the University of Khorfakkan, inaugurated on Thursday morning the Sharjah Marine Science Research Centre, affiliated with the university, in the city of Khorfakkan.
Upon arrival, His Highness unveiled a commemorative plaque, officially marking the opening of the centre, before touring its various facilities. The centre houses 12 specialised laboratories dedicated to disciplines such as histology, wet labs, microbiology, and environmental analysis.
His Highness was briefed on the Advanced Microscopy Centre, the Marine Chemistry Analysis Unit, and facilities for remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS). He reviewed the centre’s infrastructure, which includes an integrated experimental tank system, a seawater treatment plant, a dedicated marine research port, and a scientific diving training facility.
The Ruler of Sharjah observed advanced instruments and technologies used by students, learning about their role in detecting marine pollution, monitoring bacterial growth, and separating contaminated water from clean samples. He also watched demonstrations of solid waste and marine debris measurement, as well as analyses comparing polluted and clean water samples.
His Highness was introduced to the centre’s ongoing research projects, through which students—under academic supervision—conduct fieldwork and data analysis that produce valuable scientific outcomes contributing to global research publications. These initiatives help elevate the international standing of the UAE and the Emirate of Sharjah, qualifying them for membership in leading international organisations.
Students briefed His Highness on their practical training programme, part of the four-year Bachelor’s degree in Marine and Aquatic Sciences, offered in academic partnership with the University of Exeter (UK).
Graduates of the programme receive professional certifications, including scientific diving, and are well equipped for careers in government, private, and academic sectors.
During the visit, His Highness met students from the College of Marine and Aquatic Sciences who won first place in the Sharjah Government Communication Award – Universities Challenge category for their project “Ocean Sustainability.”
The students presented a prototype of an advanced submarine featuring smart sensing technologies designed to monitor marine environments and develop innovative solutions for their protection—showcasing the creativity and leadership of the university’s students in research and innovation.
The Ruler of Sharjah also toured the centre’s classrooms and specialised library, which contains a collection of marine science reference materials. He reviewed the centre’s academic partnerships with world-renowned institutions such as the University of Exeter, the Plymouth Marine Laboratory, the National Oceanography Centre, and the University of Cambridge.
These collaborations aim to achieve global leadership in marine research through multidisciplinary cooperation, advanced innovation systems, and direct engagement with leading scientists and experts.
Students expressed their sincere gratitude to His Highness for his continuous support and for providing specialised facilities that enrich their academic and scientific experiences.
They affirmed that the new centre marks a significant milestone in their educational and research journey, supporting national efforts to protect marine environments and sustain natural resources, in line with Sharjah’s human and environmental development vision.
During the ceremony, His Highness presented honorary professorship certificates from the University of Exeter to Dr. Ali Hilal Alnaqbi, Chancellor of the University of Khorfakkan; Dr. Steven Kidman, Director of the Sharjah Marine Science Research Centre; and Dr. Henrik Stahl, Dean of the College of Marine and Aquatic Sciences. The three academics were honoured for their exceptional contributions to the centre’s establishment and management, and for their efforts to protect the marine environment while advancing initiatives that serve both humanity and nature.
The Sharjah Marine Science Research Centre aspires to become a world-class institution in marine science research and ocean sustainability, serving as a vital pillar in advancing the sustainable blue economy and supporting the UAE’s economic growth.
Students at the introductory level begin with studies in marine and general sciences, before progressing to research and applied fields such as marine molecular biology, microbiology, marine ecology, evolution and development, and wildlife biology across the world’s oceans, with particular focus on the unique coastal ecosystems of the UAE.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Sheikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Ports, Customs and Free Zones Authority; Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Government Relations; Amna Al Dhahak Al Shamsi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment; and Dr Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Consultative Council ( SCC), along with a number of senior officials and members of the University of Khorfakkan Board of Trustees.
(Inputs from WAM)
