Under the patronage of Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah and President of the University of Khor Fakkan, Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, attended on Wednesday morning the graduation ceremony of the second cohort of University of Khor Fakkan students, numbering 137 male and female graduates, at the university's theatre in Khor Fakkan.
In a speech delivered at the ceremony, the Deputy Ruler of Sharjah affirmed that the city of Khor Fakkan carries in its history a legacy of resilience and attachment to the land, evoking the stance of its people who faced invaders in 1507 with firm resolve and courage that made its name a symbol of dignity and belonging. He noted that these values remain present today in its sons and daughters, who continue to build through knowledge, learning, and insight.
He conveyed the greetings of Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah and President of the University of Khor Fakkan, to the graduating class.
He affirmed the special place the city and its university hold in the heart of the Ruler of Sharjah, and the developmental and academic renaissance the city has witnessed, culminating in the establishment of a comprehensive academic institution that keeps pace with the world's finest universities and provides the region's youth with opportunities for education and excellence.
He congratulated the graduates and their families, commending the support and sacrifices made by parents that bore this success, and called on the students to carry their academic mission with pride, to honour the university that contributed to building their future, to be the finest ambassadors for their nation and their academic institution, and to continue their journey of learning, giving, and community service. The Deputy Ruler of Sharjah concluded his speech by saying:
The certificate you will receive today bears the signature of the Ruler of Sharjah, who has made the development and advancement of the individual the hallmark of every project in the Emirate of Sharjah. Carry it with pride, and prove worthy of the Ruler of Sharjah's confidence in you.
Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, also witnessed on Wednesday morning the signing of memoranda of understanding between the University of Khor Fakkan and the French Neptune Initiative — which emerged from the third United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice — Sharjah Media City (Shams), and the Air Arabia Group.
The memoranda were signed at the University of Khor Fakkan's premises by Dr. Ali Hilal Al Naqbi, Director of the University of Khor Fakkan; Dr. Ashok Adicham, representative of the French President and Chief Executive of the French Neptune Initiative; Rashed Abdullah Al Awbad, Director General of Sharjah Media City; and Adel Abdullah Al Ali, Chief Executive of the Air Arabia Group.
The memorandum of understanding between the University of Khor Fakkan and the French Neptune Initiative aims to establish a comprehensive cooperative framework in the fields of ocean exploration and scientific research, and to exchange knowledge and expertise between the two parties. Areas of cooperation also include academic education, research fellowship programmes, the exchange of researchers and experts, the organisation of scientific events and conferences, the promotion of ocean culture, and raising awareness of the importance of maritime sustainability.
On the sidelines of the MOU signing, the Deputy Ruler of Sharjah visited an exhibition highlighting the University of Khor Fakkan's most notable achievements and its areas of international cooperation and partnerships with global organisations. He was briefed on the university's participation in the Neptune Ocean Forum in France, aimed at supporting scientific research, protecting biodiversity, advancing the blue economy, and raising the university's profile at international forums.