University of Sharjah
AC-10: Support for Sustainability Research

- Research Institute of Sciences and Engineering (RISE):
RISE facilitate, support, streamline, strengthen and serve the research and training needs of the UoS researchers, students, and stakeholders through promoting quality research and innovation in priority science and engineering areas that are aligned with and serve the sustainable development. It was established in September 2014 to help position the University of Sharjah (UoS) as a science and technology research and innovation hub in the U AE and the region.
Currently RISE has a Center of Excellence in Advanced Materials Research as well as 14 research groups in key areas of science and engineering. Efforts are under way to establish three additional research centers of excellence in the fields of: renewable energy technologies; sustainable infrastructure and built environment; and information, communication and network technologies. Furthermore, RISE has an Advanced X-Ray Materials Testing Laboratory, in addition to the University of Sharjah Seismic Observatory, which is part of the Global Seismic Network (GSN). Furthermore, six additional service research laboratories, facilities and workshops are being established, including: multifunctional-multipurpose workshop; integrated analytical laboratory; materials laboratory; high performance computing facility; GIS and Remote Sensing Center; and renewable energy development facility.
RISE provides a variety of funding opportunities to support faculty and students' researchers in sciences and engineering

Link:
https://www.sharjah.ac.ae/en/Research/RISE/Pages/srp.aspx

RISE researchers include faculty members in the Colleges of Sciences, Engineering and Computing and Informatics, as well as researchers employed directly by RISE to work under the research groups and research centers.
Currently, RISE has a Center of Excellence in Advanced Materials Research as well as 14 research groups in key areas of sciences, engineering and computing, and Informatics. Efforts are underway to establish three additional research centers of excellence in the fields of renewable energy technologies; sustainable infrastructure and built environment; and information, communication, and network technologies. Furthermore, RISE has an Advanced X-Ray Materials Testing Laboratory, in addition to the University of Sharjah Seismic Observatory, which is part of the Global Seismic Network (GSN). Furthermore, six additional service research laboratories, facilities, and workshops are being established, including multifunctional-multipurpose workshop; integrated analytical laboratory; materials laboratory; high-performance computing facility; GIS and Remote Sensing Center; and renewable energy development facility.
https://www.sharjah.ac.ae/en/Research/RISE/Pages/RISE-RG.aspx

RISE funds a wide range of research grants in science and engineering, including seed research grants, competitive research grants, and collaborative research grants. RISE is supported by the Research Funding Department in terms of managing all logistical issues related to research funding. Furthermore, RISE provides a number of Graduate Research Assistantships for students pursuing their MSc or Ph.D. studies in Sciences and Engineering.
A number of interdisciplinary Graduate Research MSc and Ph.D. Programs are being considered by RISE in the areas of renewable energy and energy efficiency, advanced materials, GIS and remote sensing, environmental science, and technology. These programs will be established to strengthen the main research directions of RISE research centers of excellence.

https://www.sharjah.ac.ae/en/Research/RISE/Pages/colrg.aspx

Promotion Criteria
The criteria for faculty promotion at the University of Sharjah include evaluating the performance of faculty members in the following three areas:

1) Research
2) Education (Teaching and Academic Advising)
3) University and Community Service

1) Research
This criterion refers to research and publications in the applicant's field of specialization. Research admissible for purposes of promotion includes:
A. Research published (or accepted for publication) in recognized specialized or multi-disciplinary periodicals and journals provided that such periodicals and journals are refereed and are in the applicant's field of specialization or a closely related field and are regularly published by universities, academic or scholarly societies, associations or academies, scientific research centers, or international publishing houses in accordance with standards approved by the University. A maximum of two articles, based upon master's or doctorate theses, for which the applicant was the main or associate supervisor, may be considered for promotion to the rank of associate professor, and a maximum of three such articles may be considered for promotion to the rank of full professor. It is expected that the applicant publishes in different journals.
B. A maximum of two granted patents can be used for the promotion to the rank of Associate Professor and a maximum of three granted patents can be used for the promotion to the rank of Professor. Each patent is counted as Class )B( publication.
C. Case studies in the applicant’s field of specialization published (or accepted for publication) in refereed academic journals. Only one such article may be considered for promotion.
D. Research published in specialized books in the applicant’s field of specialization. These books must have been refereed by at least two referees in the applicant’s field of specialization prior to publication and must have been published by a university, an academic association, or by an international publishing house in accordance with standards approved by the University. Only one such work may be considered for promotion.
E. Published books that contribute to knowledge in the applicant's field of specialization provided that their contents are of a substantial nature. Such books must have been evaluated by at least two referees in the applicant’s field of specialization prior to publication and must have been published by a university, an academic association, or an international publishing house in accordance with standards approved by the University. A maximum of two such books may be considered for promotion.
F. Published university textbooks in the applicant’s field of specialization provided that their contents are of a substantial nature. Such books must have been evaluated by at least two referees in the applicant’s field of specialization prior to publication and must have been published by a university, an academic association, or an international publishing house in accordance with standards approved by the University. A maximum of one such textbook may be considered for each promotion.
G. Heritage books that have been refereed, reviewed, and published by a university, an academic association, a reputable publishing house or in a refereed scientific journal. Such books must be in the applicant's field of specialization and must have been evaluated prior to publication by at least two referees in the field of specialization. Only one such book may be considered for promotion.
H. Artistic and creative works of Fine Arts, Design and/or Media, for the Fine Arts, Design, and Communication specializations shall be considered for promotion purposes. In accordance with current polices & regulations for faculty promotion, each new creative work is considered equivalent to one research article provided that the work is documented in accordance with the criteria approved by the university. A maximum of two such creative works may be considered for promotion to the Rank of Associate Professor and a maximum of three for promotion to the Rank of Professor.

H.1. The creative works for Communication specializations that shall be considered for promotion purpose include:
1- Production of radio and television creative works (e.g. programs, documentaries, or drama),
2- New media creative works (e.g. website designs, or smart digital applications),
3- Media campaigns
4- Applied research.
These works could be done at the international, regional, or national level. The evaluations of each category are subjected to criteria approved by the university.
H. 2. The creative works for Fine Arts and Design specializations that shall be considered for promotion purpose include:
1- Participation in art biennial/triennial of creative art and design (e.g. painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, printmaking, fashion design, furniture design, interior design, graphic design)
2- Participation in solo exhibition of creative art and design (e.g. painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, printmaking, fashion design, furniture design, interior design, graphic design)
3- New media creative design (e.g. website designs, or smart digital applications)
4- Applied Research in Design.
These creative art and design works could be done at the international, regional or national level. The evaluations of each category are subjected to criteria approved by the university.
I. Under all circumstances, the total number of books referred to in items (D), (E), (F) and (G) above shall not exceed two for promotion to the rank of associate professor and three for promotion to the rank of full professor. All such books are counted as class (B) publications.
J. The publications of the applicant must carry, as first affiliation, “University of Sharjah “ while the applicant is working at University of Sharjah.

The UOS libraries fully support research activities at the University. A satisfactory budget is allocated for the libraries to proceed with the acquisition of information resources and state-of-the-art systems
Currently, UOS libraries maintain a hybrid collection of Print and electronic resources that support all disciplines.
Collection consists of more than 350K print books, 160K E-Books, 62K E-journals, 80K Videos and 110 Online Databases. Resources are accessible 24/7, on and off-campus
To support research activities, Sustainability Office faculty can request any resources to be purchased by the library. Document Delivery and Interlibrary loan can be provided for items which are not available at the UOS libraries. Agreements were signed with the British Library and the Copyright Clearance Center in USA.
Library Orientation sessions as well as the research and databases sessions are continuously conducted throughout the year
As part of its contribution and support to the community, UOS libraries allows the public to access the libraries and benefit from all services and resources.
During the pandemic lockdown, UOS libraries continued to provide services, resources, research assistance, consultations, and many various services through many channels set up to support researchers and students
https://www.sharjah.ac.ae/en/Libraries/Pages/default.aspx