Sharjah 24: His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, inaugurated, Wednesday morning, the Sharjah Education Academy building in the University City of Sharjah.

Upon his arrival at the venue, His Highness unveiled the memorial plaque for the academy building. He wished good luck for the students who will graduate from this academy, and thanked all those who contributed to this great educational edifice.


After rendition of the UAE national anthem, His Highness watched a visual presentation on the academy’s vision and mission and its contribution to achieving a qualitative leap in education by training teachers according to the latest international systems, and enhancing students’ education by graduating a generation of male and female teachers, in line with the objectives of the Emirate of Sharjah in community development.


In her speech, Dr. Muhadditha Al Hashimi, Chairperson of SPEA, expressed her thanks and appreciation to His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah for his unlimited support and interest in this great knowledge project that provides the quintessence and core of the world's experience in training and empowering teachers according to the highest quality standards.


She emphasised that the learning journey through the academy will be distinguished, and with the efforts of all those in charge, it will move education to levels that will be positively reflected on the students.


His Highness and the attendees watched a presentation by the students of the International School of Creative Science, which embodied the students' appreciation of the teacher and his role in society, his prestigious position among his students, and the respect and reverence he enjoys in gratitude for his rehabilitation and education of generations and his keenness on their education and upbringing.


Finnish Ambassador Marianne Nissilä, delivered a speech in which she conveyed the greetings of the Finnish government to His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, and valued the emirate's interest in education and the partnership with the University of Helsinki, which will lead to a fundamental role in preparing and training teachers through all the tools necessary to develop their skills, thus enhancing school quality, which will positively reflect on students and their education, and achieve the sustainable and distinguished education that Sharjah aspires for.


The Finnish ambassador pointed to the importance of cooperation in the various areas of education, stressing that the Emirate of Sharjah has a long-term commitment to strengthening services provided to families, children and youth, in addition to its quest for the best in the field of education services and its development, which will bear fruit in the near future.


Dr. Sari Lindblom, Rector of the University of Helsinki, expressed, in a visual message, her thanks and appreciation to His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah for the emirate's confidence and for choosing the university to cooperate in the fields of education and teacher preparation, which are among of the important areas that ensure the success of the educational experience, which is of great interest in the Emirate of Sharjah.


Dr. Jeanine Romano, Executive Director of the Sharjah Education Academy, explained, in her speech, that the academy is working to achieve its goals through three tracks: professional development, the academic track, and the research track, noting that the academy contributed in 2020 to training 100,000 participants from 11 countries through electronic channels during the circumstances imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, contributing to the development of teachers’ capabilities and the knowledge necessary to inspire their students to become lifelong learners.


After the opening ceremony, His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah witnessed the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Sharjah Education Academy and the University of Helsinki, Finland. The agreement was signed by Dr. Muhadditha Al Hashimi, Chairperson of SPEA, and Dr. Hanna Snellman, Vice Rector of the University of Helsinki. The agreement aims to strengthen scientific and academic relations between the two sides, and to empower educators and the educational field with the best innovative practices in education.


Present at the ceremony were Sheikh Haitham bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Deputy Head of Sharjah Ruler's Office in Kalba; Zaki Anwar Nusseibeh, Cultural Adviser to the UAE President and Chancellor of the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU); Mohammed Obaid Al Zaabi, Head of Protocol and Hospitality Department; members of the board of trustees of the Academy,  several educational specialists and representatives of the educational institutions.