Center for Continuing Education and Professional Development

Both the University of Sharjah and the Arab Parliament for Children celebrated the graduation of the second cohort of trainees in the program: "Professional Diploma in the Arab Children's Parliament for Advanced Parliamentary Skills", comprising members of the Arab Children's Parliament totaling "68" members, representing 17 Arab countries, namely the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Bahrain, Jordan, Tunisia, Algeria, Djibouti, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Iraq, Palestine, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Egypt, Morocco, and Mauritania. Additionally, a group of non-parliament members also graduated from the general program, consisting of "40" trainees, targeting children and youth affiliated with the Quarter Century Foundation for Leaders and Innovators, as well as members of national parliaments and childhood entities in Arab countries.

The training program aimed at preparing Arab children to engage in parliamentary work, refining the personal and cognitive skills of participants, and preparing them to be more prepared for the future. It aimed to equip them with the necessary skills and experiences to enable them to discuss their issues and make appropriate recommendations. The program was organized in collaboration between the University of Sharjah and the Arab Parliament for Children and was delivered by the Center for Continuing Education and Professional Development at the University of Sharjah. The program, spanning 110 training hours, covered several scientific and practical topics, including an introduction to the Arab Children's Parliament, the development of parliamentary skills such as preparing inputs, gathering information, protocol skills, session management, presentation skills, leadership, communication, creativity, and innovation. It also covered topics such as parliamentary culture, the concept of elections, legislative bodies, and others.

At the beginning of his speech, His Excellency Prof. Hameed Majoul Al Nuaimi, the University Director, expressed his deepest gratitude and appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, a member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and the founder of the University of Sharjah, for his profound patronage and interest in the development of human skills and upbringing components, especially children. He emphasized His Highness's utmost care and interest in this upbringing, which spans various areas of healthful and sound nurturing, including initiatives such as hosting the Arab Children's Parliament and establishing its headquarters in the Emirate of Sharjah.

The University Director added that the graduates of both programs, "the Arab Children's Parliament Diploma for Parliamentary Work" for members of the Arab Parliament and the participants from outside the parliament, embody the support and directives of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and President of the University, to care for the youth in general and university students in particular, through various extracurricular activities in sports, culture, art, and others. He affirmed that the graduates celebrating their graduation today from the Center for Continuing Education and Professional Development at the University of Sharjah had received qualification and training in two independent programs, with a significant level of care and attention from a group of colleagues, faculty members at the university, and experts from outside it. The participants in these programs have acquired a wealth of parliamentary skills that will contribute to the improvement and integration of their parliamentary work in the future.

In his speech, His Excellency Ayman Osman El Barout, the Secretary-General of the Arab Parliament for Children, praised the academic and intellectual level acquired by the graduates from the parliament members. He added: "Today, we share their joy in graduating and obtaining the Diploma in Advanced Parliamentary Work Skills from a prestigious and flourishing university in sciences and arts, such as the University of Sharjah. It is a beacon of knowledge with blessed directives from His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, a member of the Supreme Council, Ruler of Sharjah, may God protect him, and his directives to provide cultural support for everything that enriches positive contributions that enhance societal development, righteous citizenship values, and work on human advancement from early childhood years to be aware of what is required." From this standpoint, the Arab Parliament for Children's interest in this diploma comes within the framework of a strong partnership with the University of Sharjah. He emphasized the importance for all graduates to continue to expand their knowledge and pursue their efforts in building themselves and refining the skills they acquired from this unique experience.

Dr. Asmaa Nusairi, the Director of the Center for Continuing Education and Professional Development at the University, congratulated the graduates from both programs, the "Arab Children's Parliament Diploma for Parliamentary Work" for members of the Arab Parliament, and the other diploma for non-members of the parliament. She pointed out that this program includes a range of axes and objectives, including preparing Arab children to enter the field of parliamentary work, refining the personal and cognitive skills of the participants, and preparing them to be more prepared for the future. In addition, it aims to equip them with the skills and experiences necessary to discuss their issues and make appropriate recommendations. Dr. Nusairi added that the program focused on developing parliamentary culture among the participants, including introducing them to the Arab League, showcasing examples of national children's parliaments in Arab countries, as well as focusing on parliamentary skills such as preparing inputs, gathering information, brainstorming, meeting management, using titles, managing sessions, as well as reviewing 21st-century skills, public speaking, leadership, creativity and innovation, sustainability concepts in terms of its concept, goals, and impact, science, knowledge, artificial intelligence, communication skills, parliamentary culture, and elections in terms of concepts, standards, controls, electoral districts, and legislative or advisory bodies.

The graduates delivered a speech represented by graduate Sarah Youssef from the Kingdom of Bahrain, thanking the Arab Parliament for Children and the University of Sharjah for their support and care in this pioneering experience. She stated that they gained a lot of diverse experiences and knowledge needed to refine their skills in a culture that made them aware of many important details, especially in the journey of children's rights through advanced methods and from a global university like the University of Sharjah.