Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

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.

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.

1. 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.

1. 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.

1. 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.

1. 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.

1. 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.

1. 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.

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