"Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs"

Job Description

The Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (VCAA) is the University’s Chief Academic Officer, reporting directly to the Chancellor and providing strategic direction, leadership and oversight for all academic functions, programs, and colleges. The VCAA ensures that academic policies, teaching and learning standards, faculty affairs, research activities, and student academic services advance the University’s mission and UAE higher education priorities and international best practices.

The VCAA leads and empowers the academic leadership team, including the College Deans, the Dean of Research & Innovation, and the Directors of CETL, Library, Student Affairs, and Admission & Registration. Through this structure, the VCAA strengthens academic quality, supports faculty excellence, advances innovative teaching and learning practices, enhances student learning experiences, and promotes research productivity.

The VCAA also works closely with the Institutional Effectiveness and Academic Accreditation Department and other academic support functions to ensure academic excellence, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement across all programs and colleges. This role requires a visionary and collaborative leader capable of elevating academic standards, strengthening academic governance, and positioning the University of Kalba as a competitive, innovative and future-ready higher education institution in the UAE and beyond.

Responsibilities

1. Strategic Academic Leadership & Planning

• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous enhancement of the University’s academic strategy in collaboration with the Chancellor, Board of Trustees, Deans, and senior leadership.
• Ensure that academic programs, faculty efforts, and student support activities align with institutional mission and future workforce needs.
• Drive academic innovation across teaching, curriculum design, research, and student learning pathways.
• Strengthen academic governance by supporting Deans Council, curriculum committees, and faculty bodies.
• Coordinate with appropriate departments to ensure effective planning and allocation of academic budgets.

2. Academic Program Development & Quality Enhancement

• Oversee the development, review, and enhancement of undergraduate academic programs.
• Ensure alignment of academic programs with national standards, international benchmarks, and labor market needs.
• Collaborate with the Institutional Effectiveness and Academic Accreditation Department to ensure academic compliance, timely submissions, and continuous quality improvement.
• Promote data-informed decision-making and continuous academic enhancement.

3. Faculty Affairs & Academic Workforce Development

• Provide strategic leadership for faculty hiring, workload, performance evaluations, and promotions.
• Oversee CETL and strengthen faculty development by directing CETL-led initiatives and coordinating additional internal and external professional development opportunities.
• Promote a culture of academic excellence, research productivity, innovation and ethical scholarly conduct.
• Ensure fair and transparent academic policies governing faculty rights, responsibilities, academic freedom, and performance expectations.

4. Student Success, Academic Services & Learning Environment

• Strengthen academic advising, retention initiatives, and student learning support services.
• Enhance student academic success through evidence-based strategies led by colleges and student support departments.
• Provide strategic oversight of the University Library and ensure access to quality academic resources.
• Oversee the Student Affairs Department to support academic enrichment, student development, and experiential learning opportunities.

5. Academic Operations, Enrollment & Digital Learning

• Oversee the Admission & Registration Department to ensure effective enrollment planning, efficient registration processes, and strict integrity of academic records.
• Provide academic oversight of course scheduling, workload management, and timetabling priorities with the Registrar and HR Department.
• Lead academic transformation in teaching and learning through integration of digital learning technologies, blended learning strategies, and AI-driven educational tools.
• Promote efficient and student-centered academic processes across colleges.

6. Governance, Compliance & Accreditation Support

• Provide academic leadership in policy development, curriculum governance, and academic integrity.
• Collaborate with accreditation bodies, institutional effectiveness, and quality assurance teams to ensure compliance with UAE CAA standards and international norms.
• Serve as the senior authority for academic grievances, appeals, and academic conduct matters.
• Support institutional audits, academic reporting, and policy enforcement.

7. Research, Innovation & Institutional Advancement

• Provide strategic support to the Dean of Research & Innovation in building research capacity, partnerships, and scholarly productivity.
• Promote interdisciplinary research, external grant acquisition, and community-focused projects.
• Develop academic partnerships with national and international higher education institutions, industry, government, and academic networks.

Qualifications

Education

• Earned doctorate (Ph.D.) from an accredited institution.
• Strong academic record in teaching, research, and service, with eligibility for appointment at the rank of Full Professor.

Experience

• Minimum 10–15 years of progressively responsible academic leadership experience in higher education.
• Successful record serving as Dean, Associate Provost/Vice Chancellor, or equivalent senior academic role overseeing multiple academic units.
• Experience contributing to the establishment or growth of new academic institutions, colleges, or major academic programs (preferred).
• Demonstrated success in academic program development, faculty leadership, and student-centered initiatives.
• Proven experience with national and international accreditation processes, academic policy development, and compliance with regulatory bodies such as the UAE Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA).
• Familiarity with academic fields related to Sport Science, applied health sciences, or multidisciplinary STEM–health environments is considered an asset.

Skills & Attributes

• Deep understanding of academic governance, higher education policy, curriculum development, accreditation requirements and faculty affairs.
• Proven ability to lead academic innovation and enhance teaching and learning quality and promote research excellence.
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, analytical, and collaborative leadership skills.
• Commitment to academic integrity, transparency, excellence, and diversity, with sensitivity to the cultural and educational context of the UAE.
• Commitment to sustainability, social responsibility, and community engagement as integral components of academic leadership.
• Evidence of leadership in integrating technology-enhanced learning, digital transformation, and AI-driven educational innovation.
• Knowledge of UAE higher education systems and accreditation processes (preferred).
• Ability to integrate global academic best practices within local regulatory frameworks and emerging national priorities.
• Visionary mindset with the ability to contribute to the University of Kalba’s mission, values, and strategic focus on Sport Science and innovative academic development

Company

Kalba University was established in 2023 by Emiri Decree issued by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah and President of the University. It is a non-profit educational institution with the latest education, research, and community service methods. The University is an autonomous, academic corporate body enjoying financial and administrative autonomy owned by the government of Sharjah.
Based on the directives of His Highness to transform the branch of the University of Sharjah Kalba city into an independent university under the name of the University of Kalba. It is a turning point in the education process in the city of Kalba, where the university will contribute to achieving the hopes and aspirations of the ambitious sons and daughters of this dear country. Since its inception, the University has received the supportive and generous patronage of His Highness – which will provide opportunities for growth and development.

The starting point was the establishment of the College of Sport Sciences, and the decision to establish the new programs came to meet the needs of the growing future of the region, also the university provides a range of accredited and high-quality undergraduate and graduate programs as these programs are distributed on College of Arts and Information Technology, College of Sharia, College of Law, College of Business Administration, College of Arts, Science, and Information Technology.
The university is in the city of Kalba on the eastern coast of the United Arab Emirates and belongs to the Emirate of Sharjah. It is a coastal city famous for its natural beauty, rich history, and cultural heritage. With pristine beaches, mangroves, and mountains, it provides a unique experience for residents and visitors.
Kalba is located 120 km east of Sharjah city and around 12 km south of Fujairah city. It is the largest city in the Emirate of Sharjah in terms of space and the second largest city in terms of population.

The rich variety of wildlife in Kalba is a nature lover’s delight waiting to be explored. This extraordinary destination offers several ways of exploring its wonders. You could kayak through the mangroves and lagoons, bike down the hillsides, or trek through the verdant forests. The sandy beaches are great for peaceful evening walks, while sports activities sports will keep you active and busy. Kalba offers you front-row seats that allow you to experience the marvels of nature.

The university aspires to be a beacon of knowledge through its various programs and highly qualified and experienced faculty. The university also aims to expand its programs to meet the requirements of the growing society in the future with a focus on sports sciences Kalba University also has all the advanced facilities to serve the purposes and needs of students enrolled in the university and the local community.
The campus consists of buildings built according to the most beautiful architectural designs, the campus is characterized by its picturesque location on Kalba Lake, and the green and wooded spaces represent an attractive environment. It comprises many service and recreational facilities such as a conference hall equipped with the latest technology, a food court, a theater, and studio, several public laboratories besides laboratories for sports sciences, a student lounge. as well as external and indoor parking for visitors. There are also other projects that are under construction such as sports stadiums, sports complexes

Company info
Website: www.ukb.ac.ae