Community Engagement

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UMS COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PLAN 2022-2020

The University Of Modern Sciences is committed to active engagement with local communities.

We aim to do this in a constructive and mutually beneficial way in order to improve access to the University, its facilities, and resources, to exchange knowledge and skills with others, as well as to engage on local issues and community agendas. As a leader in education, and in line with the university strategic plan 2016-2022, UMS acknowledges its responsibility in raising awareness and involving society in proactive social responsibility activities and bUMSlding bridges of cooperation with different stakeholders in the local community through its many resources, UMS aspires to give back to the community and to contribute to a culture of care, social coherence and unity.

All departments in the university will support the process of interaction with the community because of we belief that interaction with society is the basis of development and one of the most important goals to reap the benefits of education in its proper form.

The ambition of the Community Engagement office is that every member of the university is an active member of this community and is able to communicate and provide the best possible means to ensure that the association and its positive impact in society are maintained.

UMS believes in mutual exchange and dialogue – this includes working actively to consult with local people,

schools and colleges, community groups who interact with us in terms of interest and local authorities.

We believe in embedding community engagement in our planning, people, resources and strategic infrastructure across all Academic Colleges and Administrative Departments.

Community engagement will be supported via an overarching strategy, creating a mechanism for review, best practice, and communication.

External and Internal stakeholder Groups

1- Internal Stakeholders :

All UMS departments including Students, faculty, and staff

2- External Stakeholders:

● Government: All UAE government association and departments examples ( Ministry of Interior, Dubai Civil Defense, Ministry of Health …

● Education: Schools, Universities, Higher education institute.

● Non-profit organizations: examples( Charity organizations, UAE special Olympics, Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services …)

● Business & corporate: examples (Du, Etisalat, Banks,.. )

● Local Community residence: Sports clubs, social clubs social events,

The UMS Community Engagement Framework encompasses the University’s Engagement Strategy which provides the statement of strategic intent for the practice of engagement across the University and the means by which engagement is embedded into the plans and activities of faculties, institute and divisions.

Engagement with the external community is central to UMS strategic positioning to strengthen and extend the University’s strategic partnerships with professional and broader communities in order to reflect both its academic ambitions and its social responsibility.

In pursUMSng engagement the University values:

· Collaboration across faculties, admins and divisions, and with communities

· Leadership through the involvement of all levels of management and staff in capability bUMSlding for integrating engagement into the University’s vision, goals and strategic plans and the work of faculties, institutes and divisions

· Strong and enduring relationships and partnerships with communities based on mutual respect

· Mutually beneficial and long-term outcomes for the University and the community

· Transparency in communicating with internal and external stakeholders

· Achievement in the scholarship of engagement.

When facilitating the implementation of the Engagement Strategy, the University is mindful of its international aspirations as well as its ambitions to be recognized for the strength and relevance of its connections and benchmarking targets as specified in top-level plans and strategies. Implementation of the Engagement Strategy is reported by faculties, and units divisions during the University’s annual reporting process.

Roles and Responsibilities

The Head of Marketing, University Relations & Student Affairs along with the College Deans are responsible for the development of University policy on engagement and associated activities, and for the operational management and administration of specific engagement functions including:

· Development and implementation of a relationship management framework.

· Corporate fundraising, including corporate sponsorships.

· Fundraising, including donations and gifts.

· Alumni relations.

· Student prizes, awards and scholarships.

· International institutional collaborations and agreements.

Engagement Committee is responsible for providing advice to the Marketing Manager, Head of University Relations & Student Affairs on engagement priorities and developments nationally and internationally, and gUMSding the implementation of the University's Engagement Strategy as agreed by the University.

UMS recognizes that engagement with external communities, including industry, business, government and the professions, plays a key role in strengthening the relevance and value (in terms of quality and impact) of its faculty members’ research, learning and teaching activities.

The Engagement Strategy informs the University’s top-level plans and provides an enabling strategy so that engagement continues to be embedded within the five-year plans of faculties and other organizational units in pursUMSt of the following objectives:

· to contribute to the University’s learning, teaching and research, through strengthened engagement with external stakeholders.

· to develop UMS capability and capacity in engagement practice.

· to ensure that engagement is supported by systems, policies, practices and governance arrangements across the University in the faculties, divisions and institutes.

· to reinforce and strengthen a strong spirit of accessibility, vibrancy and community in UMS and its campus.

As a part of community engagement, the following is the suggested set of activities that the faculty will engage with the community:

· Host two forUMS during the year

· Host local conferences on subjects of interest

· Engage with UMS advisory council members to provide advice on curriculum, applied research and consultancy services

· Undertake applied research and consultancy services through for the community

· Engage company senior executives to be guest faculty for one or two sessions in a semester in senior undergraduate and all graduate courses to encourage students with industry and also provide information related to the best practices in the industry.

Action Plan