ABU DHABI// The teaching hours for lecturers at UAE University are to be reduced from 12 to nine hours a day.
Announcing the measures to the FNC on Tuesday, the Minister of Higher Education, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak, said it would allow professors to commit more time to research.
Sheikh Hamdan said that, ideally, professors should only teach six hours a day. But as UAE University teaches male and female students in separate classes, the hours cannot practically be reduced to less than nine.
The report also claimed that UAE University spent little more than 1 per cent of its budget on scientific research. But Sheikh Hamdan corrected that point, saying it actually spends 3.6 per cent.
Dr Mona Al Bahr, a Dubai member, argued that some important issues in UAE society, such as the rates of infertility and cancer, have not been thoroughly researched.
“I hope the Minister will manage a comprehensive plan for this by activating a research centre in the university and benefiting from PHD studies that are conducted on the UAE society,” she said.
Sheikh Hamdan also said he wished to continue the work of Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak in promoting scientific research.
He said: “I know my responsibilities in this post and Sheikh Nahyan made a big effort and set high goals and raised the bar.
“Inshallah, our plans for the coming years will be suitable for the UAE society.”
Ahmad Al Mansouri (Dubai) asked if a branch of UAE University will be opening in the Northern Emirates. Sheikh Hamdan replied that the issue had not been raised with him before.
hdajani@thenational.ae
