Today's Edition
ASILA AL BADI (ABU DHABI)
Rabdan Academy’s recent accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) marks a defining milestone for the UAE’s higher education sector.
It is the first government higher education institution in the country, and the first specialised institution worldwide in defence, security, and crisis management to gain recognition from one of the most influential accrediting entities in the United States.
Behind the announcement lies a leadership story of an Emirati woman who played a central role in steering the accreditation process and ensuring alignment with some of the world’s most rigorous academic standards.
First for Emirati Women in Academic Accreditation
In July 2025, SACSCOC formally confirmed Dr Salha Alseiari as the first Emirati woman to serve as an Institutional Accreditation Liaison (IAL) for a SACSCOC-recognised institution. The Commission noted that she guided Rabdan Academy “with distinction and professionalism” through the accreditation pathway, achieving candidacy in 2024 and full membership in 2025.
For Dr Alseiari, the milestone carries both personal and national significance.
“Becoming the first Emirati woman to serve as an Institutional Accreditation Liaison with SACSCOC is both a profound personal honour and a significant professional responsibility,” she told Aletihad. “Professionally, it reflects the trust placed in me to represent my institution and my country at the highest international accreditation standards, and it strengthens my commitment to advancing governance, quality assurance, and institutional effectiveness.”
She recalled a moment she described as deeply meaningful in the journey.
“Receiving the SACSCOC Challenge Coin from the President of SACSCOC was not only a personal honour, but a powerful symbol of recognition for Rabdan Academy and for Emirati leadership in higher education.”
But Dr Alseiari hopes the milestone extends beyond individual achievement; she hopes it encourages other Emirati women to aspire to leadership roles on global platforms. She says she carries this role with great pride and a strong sense of responsibility to serve as a positive example for future generations.
Dr Alseiari noted that Emirati women are increasingly shaping fields once dominated by international actors and technical specialists – including accreditation, academic governance, and institutional performance management.
“This role places a national woman at the forefront of global academic governance and institutional accountability,” she said. “It demonstrates that Emirati women are not only participating in higher education leadership, but are leading complex international accreditation processes, shaping institutional strategy, and representing the UAE on global quality platforms.”
She underscored that leading Rabdan Academy from candidacy in 2024 to full membership in 2025 illustrates the “tangible impact Emirati women can have in achieving world-class institutional milestones,” supported by what she described as “collective national efforts, visionary leadership and teamwork.”
Meeting Global Standards
“This achievement reflects the UAE’s broader vision for excellence by demonstrating the country’s commitment to meeting the highest international quality standards,” Dr Alseiari said, noting that SACSCOC evaluates governance, academic quality, student services, and institutional effectiveness.
She added that the recognition strengthens academic mobility, postgraduate pathways abroad, employer recognition internationally, and opportunities for research collaboration – outcomes that directly support the UAE’s goals of preparing globally competitive graduates and attracting international partnerships.
