Job Overview: Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (VCAA)

The University of Kalba (UKB) , a rising center of academic excellence in the Emirate of Sharjah, is seeking a visionary and distinguished leader for the position of Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (VCAA) . As the Chief Academic Officer , you act as the “Institutional Architect,” responsible for the “Academic DNA” of the entire university. This role is designed for a “Strategic Specialist” who can navigate the complexities of international accreditation, research innovation, and future-ready pedagogy with “Governance Accuracy.” Reporting directly to the Chancellor, you will be the primary engine of academic transformation, ensuring that the University of Kalba scales with the “Pristine Excellence” required to compete on a global stage.

Key Information

Employer: University of Kalba (UKB)
Location: Kalba, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Rank: Vice Chancellor / Chief Academic Officer (CAO)
Reporting To: The Chancellor
Focus: Strategic Leadership, Academic Governance, and Research Elevation

Key Responsibilities

You will manage the “Academic Lifecycle” of the university through a high-stakes leadership framework:

Strategic Orchestration: Providing direction and oversight for all academic functions, colleges, and programs in alignment with UAE higher education priorities.
Leadership Empowerment: Leading a high-level team including College Deans , the Dean of Research & Innovation , and Directors of CETL, Library, and Student Affairs .
Quality Governance: Collaborating with the Institutional Effectiveness and Academic Accreditation Department to ensure 100% regulatory compliance and continuous improvement.
Faculty Stewardship: Supporting faculty excellence and fostering an environment that advances research productivity and innovative teaching practices.
Operational Oversight: Managing student academic services, admission, and registration to enhance the overall student learning experience.
Visionary Positioning: Strengthening academic standards to position the university as a competitive, innovative, and future-ready institution in the UAE and beyond.

Candidate Requirements

The University of Kalba seeks an “Academic Authority” with a focus on institutional grit:

Academic Pedigree: A Ph.D. from a prestigious, internationally recognized university with a record of distinguished scholarship.
Leadership IQ: Extensive experience in senior academic administration (eg, Dean, Provost, or VCAA) within a complex higher education environment.
Accreditation Mastery: Proven success in navigating national (CAA) and international academic accreditation processes.
Innovation Mindset: A demonstrated ability to implement cutting-edge teaching and learning technologies and research initiatives.
Collaborative Diplomacy: Exceptional interpersonal skills to lead diverse academic teams and engage with government and industry stakeholders.
Global Vision: A deep understanding of international best practices in higher education and the ability to adapt them to the UAE context.

Salary and Benefits

This role offers a premier “Executive Leadership” rewards package in a tax-free environment:

Financial Integrity: An elite, tax-free executive salary (Estimated AED 85,000 – AED 115,000+ per month, commensurate with experience).
Executive Housing: Premium provided accommodation or a substantial housing allowance.
Global Mobility: Annual business-class air tickets for the executive and eligible family members.
Family Security: Comprehensive health insurance and top-tier educational allowances for dependents.
Professional Legacy: The opportunity to shape the foundational identity of a rapidly evolving university.

Market Context: Higher Education Leadership in UAE 2026

In 2026, as the UAE focuses on “Education 2033” and knowledge-driven economies, a VCAA is the “Architect” of national human capital:

Leadership Pillar	Core Objective	Impact Level
Research & Innovation	Knowledge Creation	National/Global
Academic Quality	Accreditation & Ranking	Institutional
Student Success	Employability/Future-Ready	Societal

Unique Job Description

Position: Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs — Architecting the Future of Kalba’s Intellectual DNA

Are you a “Visionary Specialist” who believes that the success of a university is built on the precision of its academic governance and research impact? The University of Kalba is seeking its next Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs to join our executive leadership team. We don’t just “manage departments”; We engineer the Strategic Frameworks and Academic DNA that allow our faculty and students to flourish in a world defined by rapid innovation. This isn’t a role for a “traditional administrator”; it’s a mission for an “Impact Architect” —someone who can navigate the complexities of global rankings and pedagogical transformation with “scholarly grit” and provide the professional polish that our flagship institution in Kalba demands.

In this position, you are the pilot of our academic mission. You will spend your days architecting the policies, research agendas, and accreditation milestones that define our reputation for excellence. Whether you are using your leadership mastery to empower our Deans or utilizing your strategic skills to align our programs with UAE national priorities, your “proactive mindset” and “excellence-first” attitude will be our greatest assets. You thrive in an environment where you are trusted to elevate standards, challenged by the goal of becoming a future-ready institution, and rewarded with a lucrative, tax-free career at a premier center of learning.

We are looking for proactive leaders with a passion for academic excellence and an “impact-first” mindset. If you have the “resourcefulness” to lead a university towards international prominence and the “discipline” to uphold our gold standards, the University of Kalba offers you a premier platform to reach your potential. Join us in Sharjah, and let’s engineer a more extraordinary and connected future for the world of higher education together.

University of Kalba (UKB)

The Company

The University of Kalba (UKB) is a newly established, independent, non-profit academic institution in the Emirate of Sharjah. Founded on June 26, 2023 , by an Emiri Decree from HH Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi , Ruler of Sharjah, it marks a historic transformation of the former University of Sharjah branch in Kalba into a fully autonomous university. By 2026, UKB has emerged as a specialized center for Sport Science and Intelligent Systems , aiming to be a beacon of knowledge on the UAE’s East Coast. It is fully licensed by the CAA and offers a diverse range of accredited undergraduate programs designed to meet the specific economic and social needs of the Kalba region.

Culture

The culture at UKB is defined by “Innovation, Athletic Excellence, and Community Empowerment.” It combines the academic legacy of Sharjah with a fresh, specialized focus on physical education and technology. Key cultural pillars include:

The “Sport Science” Hub: A unique institutional identity as a regional leader in Sports Education, bolstered by a strategic partnership with Monash University (Australia) and Shanghai University of Sport to develop world-class physical education programs.
AI & Intelligent Growth: A culture that embraces the future, recently securing US patents in Artificial Intelligence (2025/2026) , positioning it as a tech-forward institution despite its young age.
“Basta” Entrepreneurship: A vibrant student spirit that encourages self-starting projects, evidenced by events like the “Basta” exhibition for student business ventures and entrepreneurial projects.
Community Stewardship: A deep commitment to the eastern coast’s development, providing “Interdisciplinary Interconnectivity” through its General Education Framework (2025-2026) to prepare versatile graduates.

Location

UKB is located in the scenic coastal city of Kalba , approximately 120 km east of Sharjah city. The campus is a blend of breathtaking natural beauty and modern architectural design:

Picturesque Waterfront: The campus is uniquely situated on Kalba Lake , surrounded by mangroves, mountains, and pristine beaches, offering one of the most serene learning environments in the UAE.
State-of-the-Art Facilities: Includes the Main Campus Building K2 and the New Building Theater W3. It features high-tech laboratories for sports sciences, a specialized food court, and a student lounge.
Residential Living: A fully equipped dormitory system that provides a secure “Home away from Home” for students, complete with free transportation services across the region.
Future Infrastructure: As of 2026, the university is completing expansive sports stadiums and elite sports complexes to support its mission as a hub for athletic training and research.

University of Kalba: 2026 Academic Matrix

College	Core Programs (2026)	Strategic Impact
Sport Science	Physical Education & Sports Science.	Professionalizing the UAE’s sports industry.
Computing & AI	Computer Science & Intelligent Systems.	Driving the Eastern Coast’s digital transition.
Business Admin.	Supply Chain & Business Admin.	Supporting regional logistics and trade.
Arts & Humanities	History, Sociology, & Digital Media.	Preserving heritage and modern communication.
Law	Bachelor in Law (Leading Program).	Training legal experts for the UAE’s judiciary.

2026 Professional DNA & Institutional Standards

Global Collaborations: UKB actively partners with international giants like Monash University to ensure its Sport Science curriculum remains at the global cutting edge.
AI Patent Holder: Unlike many young universities, UKB is an active contributor to AI research , holding US-registered patents that integrate technology with practical applications.
“Ready-to-Work” Placement: Through its Career Guidance unit, UKB aligns students with internships in the local Kalba and Fujairah markets, focusing on hospitality, sports management, and logistics.
Sustainability: The campus acts as a “Living Laboratory” for the preservation of Kalba’s unique biodiversity, often integrating field research into its Science and Humanities programs.

To apply for this job please visit ukb.ac.ae.