Law No. (14) of 2006 Concerning the Establishment and Organization of Sorbonne University (Abu Dhabi)
We, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler of Abu Dhabi,
Having reviewed Law No. (1) of 1974 Concerning the Reorganization of the Governmental Apparatus in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and its amendments,
And Law No. (2) of 1971 Concerning the National Consultative Council and its amendments,
And Law No. (24) of 2005 Concerning the Establishment of the Abu Dhabi Education Council,
And the Agreement concluded between the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi dated 19/02/2006,
And based on what was presented to the Executive Council and its approval thereof,
We have issued the following Law:
Chapter One: Definitions
Article (1)
This has been previously amended by Law No. (18) of 2017 – to view the original text
In the application of the provisions of this Law, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings assigned to each of them, unless the context indicates otherwise:
The State: The United Arab Emirates.
The Emirate: The Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
The Executive Council: The Executive Council of the Emirate.
The Department: The Department of Education and Knowledge, which replaces the Abu Dhabi Education Council wherever mentioned in the aforementioned Law No. (14) of 2006.
The University: Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi.
The Board: The University's Board of Trustees.
The Agreement: The Agreement concluded between the Department of Education and Knowledge and Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi.
Chapter Two
Establishment and Objectives of the University
Article (2)
Pursuant to the provisions of this Law, a university shall be established in the Emirate known as (Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi), which shall have an independent legal personality and enjoy financial and administrative independence in all its affairs, and full legal capacity, and shall be fully owned by the Department of Education and Knowledge.
Article (3)
The main campus of the University shall be in the city of Abu Dhabi, and branches may be opened inside or outside the State by a decision of the Department of Education and Knowledge based on a proposal from the Board.
Article (4)
- The University aims to contribute to enhancing and diversifying higher education opportunities in the State, the Gulf countries, and the Middle East region in general, within the framework of the legal system applicable in the State.
- The University shall grant academic degrees in accordance with the French systems and the academic regulations of Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi.
Chapter Three
Administrative and Academic Organization of the University
Article (5)
This text is in accordance with the latest amendment by Law No. (18) of 2017 – to view the original text
1- The University shall have a Board of Trustees formed by a decision of the Chairman of the Executive Council, as follows:
* The Chairman of the Board, who shall be a citizen of the State.
* The Vice Chairman of the Board, who shall be the President of Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi.
* Four members nominated by the Department.
* Four members nominated by Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi in accordance with its legal system.
2- The decisions of the Board shall be issued by a majority vote of the members present. In the event of a tie, the side of the Chairman shall prevail.
Article (6)
This text is in accordance with the latest amendment by Law No. (18) of 2017 – to view the original text
The Board shall select a rapporteur and issue internal regulations to govern the procedures of its meetings.
Article (7)
Judicial rulings related to this text are in accordance with the latest amendment by Law No. (18) of 2017 – to view the original text
The Board is the highest authority in the University and is responsible for achieving the University's objectives. It shall undertake the necessary tasks and responsibilities for this, including:
1- Setting the strategic objectives of the University in coordination with the Department.
2- Adopting the general education policy of the University in line with the strategic objectives.
3- Approving the institutional performance indicator standards for the University.
4- Approving the organizational structure of the University and submitting it to the Executive Council for accreditation.
5- Issuing the University's regulations, including operational, technical, academic, and administrative regulations and employment systems, in accordance with the legislation in force in the Emirate.
6- Supervising the academic and administrative affairs of the University.
7- Proposing university fees in coordination with the Department and submitting them to the Executive Council for accreditation.
8- Appointing faculty members.
9- Approving study programs and their durations and supervising the curriculum development process in accordance with the applicable legislation.
10- Forming the permanent committees of the University.
11- Approving the granting of academic degrees and professional certificates in accordance with the governing rules.
12- Approving the draft annual budget of the University and its final account and submitting them for accreditation in accordance with the applicable legislation, and supervising the University's funds and properties, and approving the annual report and financial audit statements.
13- Issuing the annual academic calendar.
14- Any other competencies assigned by the Executive Council or the Department.
Article (8)
This text is in accordance with the latest amendment by Law No. (18) of 2017 – to view the original text
The Board shall form an Executive Committee chaired by the Vice Chairman of the Board, which shall undertake the following tasks:
1- Proposing curricula and submitting recommendations to the Board.
2- Nominating candidates for faculty positions and submitting proposals to the Board.
3- Preparing the University's regulations, including operational, technical, academic, and administrative regulations and employment systems, and submitting them to the Board for approval.
4- Proposing a policy for the development of scientific activity and submitting it to the Board for approval.
5- Appointing to administrative positions other than faculty members, in accordance with the regulations applicable at the University.
6- Any other tasks assigned by the Board.
Article (9)
This text is in accordance with the latest amendment by Law No. (18) of 2017 – to view the original text
The University shall have a Director appointed by a decision of the Chairman of the Executive Council based on a proposal from the Board. The Director shall be responsible for all academic and administrative affairs of the University, including obtaining accreditations from the competent authorities for the educational programs and certificates awarded by the University, and shall undertake all tasks assigned by the Board.
Chapter Four
Faculty Members
Article (10)
Faculty members at the University shall be selected from among the faculty members of Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, on a secondment basis to teach a course for one or more semesters, in accordance with the approved study plan at the University.
Article (11)
This text is in accordance with the latest amendment by Law No. (18) of 2017 – to view the original text
Faculty members may be selected from outside Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi based on the nomination of the Executive Committee and the approval of the Board.
Chapter Five
Academic Programs
Article (12)
1 - The University shall offer academic programs in the fields of social sciences, humanities, and fine arts for Bachelor's degrees in History, Art History and Archaeology, Music and Musicology, Geography and Planning, Literature, Languages, and Civilizations, Philosophy and Sociology, Information and Communication. The University shall also offer academic programs for Master's and Doctorate degrees in the aforementioned sciences.
At a later stage, the University shall offer academic programs for university degrees in the fields of Law, Economics, and Politics.
2 - The University may offer academic programs for university degrees in fields other than those mentioned in the preceding clause of this Article, based on prior approval from the Board and the Department of Education and Knowledge.
3 - The establishment and abolition of colleges shall be by a decision of the Board, in coordination with the Department of Education and Knowledge.
Article (13)
The executive regulations shall determine the duration of study in the academic year in general, the duration of the semester, the method of evaluating students at the end of each semester in each course in which the student is enrolled, the number of credit hours for a student transferring to study in universities in France and European Union countries, the tuition fees to be paid by the student and the method of payment, and the procedures for deciding on applications for admission to the University and maintaining security and order therein, within the framework of the Agreement.
Chapter Six
Financial Affairs
Article (14)
Related judicial rulings
The University shall have an annual budget approved by the Board, and the resources of this budget shall consist of the following:
1 - Tuition fees determined by the Board in coordination with the Department of Education and Knowledge.
2 - Annual appropriations allocated from the Emirate's budget, based on the recommendation of the Department of Education and Knowledge in coordination with the Board.
3 - Income from the University's fixed and movable assets.
4 - Any other financial resources decided by the Department of Education and Knowledge based on a proposal from the Board.
Article (15)
Disbursement from the University's budget shall be in accordance with the financial system approved by the Board, in coordination with the Department of Education and Knowledge.
Article (16)
The Department of Education and Knowledge shall appoint one or more certified legal auditors to review and audit all the University's accounts. The auditor shall have all the necessary powers to access any document required for the performance of his work in accordance with the law. He shall submit a report on the results of his work to the Department of Education and Knowledge and provide a copy of this report to the Board.
Article (17)
This text is in accordance with the latest amendment by Law No. (18) of 2017 – to view the original text
The provisions of the Agreement shall apply in a manner that does not conflict with the provisions of this Law and the applicable legislation.
Article (18)
The executive regulations of this Law shall be issued by a decision of the Chairman of the Executive Council, based on a proposal from the Board.
Article (19)
This Law shall be effective from the date of its issuance and shall be published in the Official Gazette.
Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Ruler of Abu Dhabi
Issued by us in Abu Dhabi,
On: 29 May 2006,
Corresponding to: 2 Jumada al-Awwal 1427 H.
The Department of Education and Knowledge replaced the Abu Dhabi Education Council by virtue of the text of Article One of Law No. (18) of 2017.
Article One of Law No. (15) of 2019 stipulated that the name Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi be replaced with Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi.