ZAYED BIN SULTAN AL NAHAYANPRESIDENT OF THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Federal Law No. ( 17 ) of 1998Concerning the Re-organization of the

System of Higher CoUeges of Technology

We, Zayed Bin Sultan AI Nahayan, President of the State of the United Arab Emirates,

Upon consideration of the Constitution and Federal Law No. (1) of 1972, concerningthe Jurisdictions of Ministries and the powers of Ministers, as amended,

And Federal Law No. (8) of 1973, concerning Civil Service in the FederalGovernment, as amended,

And Federal Law No. (13) of 1974, concerning pension pay and gratuities for civilemployees and office assistants, as amended,

And Federal - Decree law No. (2) of 1988, concerning the Establishment andOrganization of the System of Higher Colleges of Technology in the United Arab Emirates,

And Federal Law No. (4) of 1992, concerning the Establishment and Organization ofthe Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research,

And based upon the proposal of the Minister of Higher Education and ScientificResearch, the approval of the Cabinet and the Federal National Council and the ratificationof the Supreme Council of the Federation,

Hereby promulgate the following Law:

Article (1)

In applying the provisions of this Law, the following words shall have the definitions setforth opposite each one:

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The Chancellor

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The United Arab Emirates

The System of Higher Colleges of Technology, consisting ofvarious directorates and colleges.

The Chancellor of the System

The Governing Council of the System

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Article (2)

The System of Higher Colleges of Technology shall be an independent academic corporatebody with legal capacity to take whatever actions deemed necessary for serving itspurpose. The System's headquarters shall be located in the city of Abu Dhabi and branchesmay be established in other cities.

Article (3)

The purpose of the System is to train and prepare students in order to providetechnological and technical personnel of UAE nationality and to meet the country'srequirements within its general policy framework.

Students other than UAE nationals may be approved for admission in accordance with therules and regulations laid down by the Council.

Article (4)

1. The System shall have a Chancellor whose status shall be equivalent to a minister,and who shall be appointed by a Federal Decree.

2. The Chancellor shall be the legal representative of the System and shall perform allthe responsibilities set out in this Law and the System Regulations.

Article (5)

The System shall have a Governing Council which shall consist of the Chancellor, asChairman, a Vice-Chairman and at least seven qualified and experienced members fromvarious sectors in the UAE, one of whom shall be the System Vice Chancellor. Themembers of the Council shall be appointed by a Cabinet decision on the recommendation ofthe Chancellor following consultation with the parent bodies of the proposed members.

Council membership shall be for four years, renewable .

Financial compensation for Council members shall be determined by a decision of theCabinet.

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Article (6)

The responsibilities of the Council shall be as follows:

1. Establishing the policies and plans of the System and ensuring their implementation inaccordance with the needs and development requirements of the country .

2. Approving the Implementing Regulation and the System's Financial, Personnel andOrganizational Regulations .

3. Approving the draft annual budget and final accounts of the System .

4. Approving the fields of study and the instructional curricula, plans and programs to beoffered by the System and the duration of such programs.

5. Approving the admission and academic policies as well as the examinations andgraduation requirements .

6. Fixing the tuition fees, incentives and awards given to the students.

7. Approving the establishment of new colleges or the modification of existing colleges .

~. Awarding degrees and certificates in accordance with the respective regulations.

9. Approving the annual academic calendar.

10. Approving rules and regulations for the investment and management of System funds .

11. Approving regulations for gifts, grants, bequests and endowments, etc. provided theydo not conflict with the public policies and System objectives .

12. Coordinating with federal, local and private sector establishments in order to make thebest use of the available resources for the training and employment of Systemgraduates.

13. Other issues being the responsibility of the Council under the Law and Regulations .

Article (7)

The Council, at the invitation of the Chairman, shall meet at least twice during theacademic year. It shall meet further at the request of at least half of the members. TheCouncil may invite non-members to its meetings as guests without voting rights .

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Article (8)

A Council meeting must be attended by the Chairman or the Vice-Chairman and a majorityof the members. A vote of an absolute majority of those present shall be required for anyresolution. In the event of an equal number of votes, the side on which the Chair of themeeting voted shall prevail. A System employee appointed by the Chairman shall act asSecretary of the Council .

Article (9)

The Council may delegate some of its powers to the Chairman.

Article (10)

The System shall have a Vice Chancellor appointed by a Federal Decree on therecommendation of the Chancellor. The Vice Chancellor shall be responsible for themanagement of the System and the implementation of its regulations and resolutions .

Article (11)

The System shall have an independent budget which will be attached to the general statebudget .

Article (12)

The revenues of the System will consist of:

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The annual appropriations allocated to the System in the general state budget.The savings realized inthe System budget during the previous years.Proceeds rrom fixed and moveable assets.

The tuition fees fixed by a resolution of the Council.Other revenues approved by the Council.

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Article (13)

The System shall manage its finances in accordance with the terms and provisions of thefinancial and accounting regulations of the System.

Funds may be transfered between budget lines by a decision of the Chancellor. Funds maybe transfered between chapters, as necessary, by a resolution of the Council on therecommendation of the Chancellor, provided that any such transfers are reflected in thefinal accounts.

Article (14)

System employees shall receive the salaries and benefits set out in the System PersonnelRegulation .

Article (15)

The establishment and location of the colleges in the DAB shall be resolved by the Councilon the recommendation of the Chancellor. A director shall be appointed for each college bya decision of the Chancellor with the approval of the Council.

Article (16)

The Chancellor shall approve academic degrees and certificates in accordance with theImplementing Regulation.

Article (17)

All System premises shall be under the sole authority of the System and its appointedofficers. The authorities in charge shall be responsible for maintaining order on campus.The System Regulations will determine the powers and responsibilities of these authorities .

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Article (18)

In the case of matters for which there is no specific provision in this Law and the SystemRegulations, the Civil Service Regulations shall apply to System employees in respect ofsuch matters.

The Law concerning pension pay and gratuities for civil employees and office assistants inthe federal government shall apply to System employees ofUAE nationality .

Article (19)

The Implementing Regulation of this Law and other System Regulations shall be issued bya decision of the Chancellor with the approval of the Council. The applicable Systemregulations shall remain in force until such time as the new regulations under this Law areissued.

Article (20)

Federal Decree Law No. (2) of the year 1988 is repealed .

Article (21)

Any provision contrary to the provisions of this Law is repealed .

Article (22)

This Law shall be published in the Official Gazette, and shall come into effect on the datethat it is published.

Zayed Bin Sultan AI NahayanPresident of the United Arab Emirates

Issued at the Presidential Court in Abu DhabiOn: 21/07/1419 H.

Corresponding to: 10 / 11 / 1998

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Article (18)

In the case of matters for which there is no specific provision in this Law and the SystemRegulations, the Civil Service Regulations shall apply to System employees in respect ofsuch matters.

The Law concerning pension pay and gratuities for civil employees and office assistants inthe federal government shall apply to System employees ofUAE nationality .

Article (19)

The Implementing Regulation of this Law and other System Regulations shall be issued bya decision of the Chancellor with the approval of the Council. The applicable Systemregulations shall remain in force until such time as the new regulations under this Law areissued.

Article (20)

Federal Decree Law No. (2) of the year 1988 is repealed .

Article (21)

Any provision contrary to the provisions of this Law is repealed .

Article (22)

This Law shall be published in the Official Gazette, and shall come into effect on the datethat it is published.

Zayed Bin Sultan AI NahayanPresident of the United Arab Emirates

Issued at the Presidential Court in Abu DhabiOn: 21/07/1419 H.

Corresponding to: 10 / 11 / 1998