The Ruler of Sharjah witnesses the graduation ceremony of the first batch of Khor Fakkan University students

His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council, Ruler of Sharjah, President of Khor Fakkan University, witnessed the graduation ceremony of the first batch of university students, numbering 114 male and female graduates, which was held at the university’s theater in the city of Khor Fakkan. His Highness directed that the graduates of the first batch be employed, each according to his city.

His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah delivered a speech during the ceremony, in which he expressed his happiness and pride at the graduation of the first batch of male and female graduates at Khor Fakkan University. His Highness celebrated their achievement and congratulated their graduation, calling on them to be ambassadors of science and knowledge, and to carry the message of Khor Fakkan University in the service of the dear nation and the whole world.

His Highness pointed out that Khor Fakkan University was established in 2022, to be a pioneering scientific institution that draws from its distinguished natural marine environment, and offers multiple academic and research programs, including specialized programs in marine sciences, that primarily serve the people of the city of Khor Fakkan, contribute to exploring the coastal and marine environment and manage marine resources, and help in providing a solution to global challenges such as climate change to preserve the sustainability of our oceans and their resources.

His Highness added: The university is moving towards achieving our ambitious vision of building a quality educational system, as it has been able to complete the requirements for academic accreditation, and continues to make systematic progress towards joining international classification systems. The University of Khor Fakkan has had a distinguished presence in the academic and research arena, as about 5% of its faculty members were ranked among the best 2% of researchers globally according to the Stanford University classifications, which is a highly comparable achievement for a university in its founding stages. The university has also achieved a distinguished percentage in scientific publishing specialized in science. The oceans, which reflects the strength of its presence and scientific production in the international arena.

Regarding the scientific partnership with the University of Exeter, His Highness said: Within the framework of its global partnerships, Khor Fakkan University cooperates with the prestigious British University of Exeter, where students majoring in marine sciences in the fourth year get the opportunity to study at the University of Exeter, enabling graduates to obtain two independent degrees: one from Khor Fakkan University, and the other from the University of Exeter.

His Highness pointed out that the number of students at Khor Fakkan University has grown to 1,800 male and female students, compared to 360 male and female students when it was founded, which reflects growing confidence in the quality of its academic programs.
In the field of scientific research, His Highness the President of the University of Khor Fakkan said: The Sharjah Marine Sciences Research Center has been opened, which is an advanced research center affiliated with the University of Khor Fakkan. It includes an advanced scientific infrastructure that includes specialized laboratories and marine facilities to support research and education in ocean sciences and the preservation of the marine environment. The center constitutes a unique window to the Indian Ocean and ocean data, and an important cooperation center with the competent authorities in protecting the environment and cultivating coral reefs, thus enhancing efforts in preserving marine biodiversity and environmental sustainability.

Regarding the university’s international presence, His Highness said: Khor Fakkan University continues to enhance its regional and international presence through its active participation in scientific initiatives and global events, and the expansion of its academic and research partnerships with prestigious institutions, including its expected participation in the conference launching the French Neptune Initiative in New York City in September 2026 AD, which is a global initiative aimed at enhancing the university’s presence in scientific conferences that contribute to the discovery of the seas and oceans and enhancing their sustainable governance.

His Highness pointed out the university’s ambition for the city of Khor Fakkan to host the coordination meeting of the United Nations Oceans Conference in 2027, so that its outcomes will be part of the official discussions of the United Nations Oceans Conference in Korea in 2028, which confirms our commitment to supporting international dialogue on ocean issues and sustainability.

His Highness, the President of the University of Khor Fakkan, explained that the future vision of the university is based on integrating applied research related to the marine environment, biodiversity protection, and sustainability into its academic and research outputs, so that it has a tangible impact on society and the environment, and the university is working to develop specialized graduate programs during the coming years, to keep pace with scientific developments and future professional needs.

His Highness added that the university continues to make systematic progress towards joining international classification systems, in line with its commitment to academic quality and research excellence at the regional and international levels, and aims to increase strategic partnerships with prestigious international institutions to expand the scope of academic and research cooperation, and provide distinguished educational and training opportunities for its students and faculty members.

His Highness concluded his speech by congratulating the fathers and mothers of the male and female graduates on their sons and daughters obtaining first places among the first batch of Khor Fakkan University graduates.

The ceremony began with the playing of the national anthem and the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, after which the Director of Khor Fakkan University, Dr. Ali Hilal Al Naqbi, delivered a speech, in which he extended the highest verses of thanks and gratitude to His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah for his great support and diligent follow-up of the university since its founding and its arrival to the graduation of its first class, in a ceremony with a symbolic dimension to be held on January 25, which coincides with the anniversary of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah assuming the reins of power. It confirms the significance of the journey, which from its beginning was a building for man and science.

The Director of Khor Fakkan University recalled a speech by His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, in which he said, “In every house in Khor Fakkan, the father, mother, boy, and girl will be educated,” indicating that this word was fulfilled, as in the study seats, the father, mother, boy, girl, grandson, and granddaughter.

The Director of the University of Khor Fakkan added: The University of Khor Fakkan recorded tangible progress in academic performance indicators, which included a growth of more than 70% in the number of students applying, and an increase in research production with an average of three scientific papers per faculty member, which is the highest in the world, as well as an increase in the percentage of academics included in Stanford’s list of the top 2% of scientists in the world, and its global leadership in scientific publishing in the field of marine sciences.

Graduate Hajar Al-Raisi, majoring in radio and television, gave a speech on behalf of the male and female graduates, in which she extended the highest meanings of thanks and gratitude to His Highness, the President of Khor Fakkan University, for his establishment of the university and his continuous support, as he is the patron father of the scientific process, and with his insightful vision, this day was achieved in which male and female graduates celebrate and receive their graduation certificates from His Highness.

She and her colleagues expressed her happiness at this historic moment, which represents a general joy and the beginning of a new process, recalling the beginning of the opening of Khor Fakkan University, which was happy news for the people of the city of Khor Fakkan, where she had the honor of studying at the beginning of the founding of the university and graduating in the first class, reaping the fruits of years of hard work and diligence, and overcoming challenges.

His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah kindly handed over the male and female graduates their certificates, congratulating them on their graduation from Khor Fakkan University and wishing them success in their future professional, scientific and social lives.

The number of male and female graduates reached 114, distributed among the arts majors in public relations, communication (radio and television specialization), and sociology, history and Islamic civilization (tourist guidance track).

The ceremony was attended, in addition to His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, by: Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Head of the Department of Government Relations, Sheikh Saeed bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Deputy Head of the Office of His Highness the Ruler in Khor Fakkan, Chairman of the Advisory Council of the Emirate of Sharjah, Dr. Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, a number of senior officials, heads of government departments, members of the Board of Trustees of Khor Fakkan University, and a group of parents of male and female graduates.