SCC approves draft law regulating the University of Arts

The session was chaired by Her Excellency Halima Humaid Al Owais, Chair of SCC.

The Council discussed the draft law regulating the University of Arts and the report submitted by the Council's Legislative and Legal Affairs, Appeals, Proposals, and Complaints Committee.

The meeting was held at the Council, in the presence of His Excellency Dr Mansour Mohammed bin Nassar, Member of Sharjah Executive Council (SEC) and Head of the Legal Department of the Government of Sharjah; Her Excellency Dr Aisha Mohammed Obaid Bukhatir Al Shamsi, Secretary-General of the Sharjah Council for Higher Education and Scientific Research; Counselor Yousef Hassan Al Ali, Director of the Experts and Consultants Office at the Legal Department; Counselor Saleh Mohammed Al Zaabi, Director of the Emiri Legal Affairs Office at the Legal Department; and Aisha Mohammed Hazim Al Suwaidi, Director of the Legislation Department at the Legal Department.

Proud nation

At the beginning of the session, Her Excellency Halima Humaid Al Owais, Chairperson of the Council, indicated that the "Proud of the UAE" campaign comes to affirm our pride in a nation that has solidified its position among nations, thanks to the vision of its wise leadership and the efforts of its loyal citizens. We are proud of a nation that has turned dreams into reality and challenges into achievements that the world recounts. We are proud of a wise leadership that believed in humanity above all else, making education a beacon, health a right, and security a shield protecting both near and far. We are proud of the legacy of Zayed the Good, who instilled in us the values of giving and tolerance, making the UAE a home for all, an oasis where more than two hundred nationalities meet in love and respect. We are proud of our institutions that work day and night, our ambitious youth who have carried the banner of innovation to space, and every hand that builds and develops on this blessed land. We are proud of a glorious past, a bright present, and a future that we are shaping together, a future that knows no bounds but the summit. May the UAE flag always fly high, may the land of Zayed always be prosperous with goodness and security, and may our pride in it endure. Renewed every day.

Al Owais added in her speech, “In the UAE, we are proud… and we echo it with the pulse of our hearts before words. We are proud of a nation that bears the name of Zayed, and whose glory was forged by the hands of its sons. We are proud of a flag that embraces the sky, and of a home that has become a haven of security and hope for the world. We are proud of a leadership that accepts nothing less than excellence, and of a people who know nothing but honor. This is the UAE, a story of pride written every day, and a glory renewed with every sunrise. May the UAE flag forever fly high, and may the land of Zayed forever flourish with its people.”

Organising the University of Arts

Her Excellency Mira Khalifa Al Muqarrab, Secretary-General of the Council, stated at the outset of the discussion on the draft law that the Council received a letter on March 31st from the SEC General Secretariat, referring a draft law for the year 2026 concerning the organisation of the University of Arts. In accordance with Article (71) of the Internal Regulations, the Council referred the aforementioned draft law, during its thirteenth session held on Thursday, April 2nd, 2026, to the Legislative and Legal Affairs, Appeals, Proposals, and Complaints Committee for study and consideration, and to submit its report to the Council. The Committee subsequently held a meeting for this purpose.

Al Muqarrab continued: Based on the procedures followed in discussing draft laws, the Council will discuss the draft law article by article, taking into account the observations made, and will approve each article by either adopting the amendments or retaining it as received from the Executive Council.

A new framework

His Excellency Dr Mansour Mohammed bin Nassar, SEC Member and Head of the Legal Department of the Government of Sharjah, delivered a speech in which he praised SCC role and commitment to monitoring the development of the Sharjah government's work. He emphasised the importance of the current draft law, as it represents a new framework that will complement the existing universities in the Emirate of Sharjah.

Bin Nassar stated, "We are pleased to be with you today to represent the University of Arts from a legal perspective, to discuss the draft law." He then conveyed the greetings of Her Highness Sheikha Hoor bint Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, President of the University of Arts, to the Sharjah Consultative Council and commended its parliamentary role in serving the community.

His Excellency Dr Mansour Mohammed bin Nassar, Head of the Legal Department of the Government of Sharjah, explained that the idea of establishing the University of Arts arose from the continued success of the Sharjah Academy of Performing Arts. The next step, guided by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, was to establish the University of Arts by merging the College of Fine Arts and Design at the University of Sharjah. A draft law regulating the University of Arts was then prepared and submitted to the Consultative Council during its legislative session for approval.

In his address, he emphasised the importance of the draft law regulating the University of Arts, highlighting its provisions that govern the university's functions, particularly in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, to prepare graduates for the creative industries both locally and globally.

Bin Nassar discussed the general rationale behind the draft law, specifically explaining the reasons that prompted the government to prepare and regulate it, its legislative and legal significance, and the rationale for drafting the law within the context of Sharjah's distinguished universities, renowned for their excellence across all disciplines.

Supporting academic programmes
 
Following this, His Excellency Obaid Ishaq Al Mazmi, Rapporteur of the Legislative and Legal Affairs, Appeals, Proposals, and Complaints Committee of the Council, presented the draft law for the year 2026 regulating the University of Arts, outlining the definitions, objectives, functions, and other legal provisions included in the draft.

The members then discussed all provisions of the law and its various objectives, which aim to support the academic programmes of the University of Arts, the Faculty of Performing Arts and the Faculty of Visual Arts.

The various articles of the draft law regulating the university's operations, as well as the administration's jurisdiction and powers, were reviewed.

Discussions focused on the draft law's provisions for empowering the Faculty of Arts to achieve its objectives and exercise its specialisations. The discussion also addressed the specialisations related to its professional and training programmes for all age groups, aimed at supporting talents and hobbies in the fields of performing and visual arts.

The Faculty of Performing Arts and the Faculty of Visual Arts were also discussed. During their interventions, members presented a number of opinions on the articles of the draft law. Government representatives responded to inquiries by clarifying the legal interpretations of the draft law's articles, as well as aspects of its implementation and the actions related to those articles.

Draft law approval

After extensive discussion that converged on supporting the establishment and distinction of the university, the Council approved the draft law for the year 2026 concerning the organisation of the University of Arts in its fourteenth plenary session. At the end of the session,

Her Excellency Mira Khalifa Al Muqarrab, Secretary-General of the Consultative Council, noted that the Council had received a letter on April 9, 2026, from the General Secretariat of the Executive Council referring the draft law for the year 2026 concerning the organisation of the correctional institution in the Emirate of Sharjah to the Council, and its referral to the Council's Public Utilities Affairs Committee was approved. She also noted that the Council had received a letter on April 13, 2026, from the General Secretariat of the Executive Council referring the draft law for the year 2026 concerning the regulation of the use of drones in the Emirate of Sharjah to the Council, and its referral to the Public Utilities Affairs Committee.

She confirmed that the next session will be held on Thursday, April 30, 2026, and its topic will be discussing the draft recommendations of the Council regarding the policy of the Sharjah Districts Affairs Department.