Al Ain University

Qualifications for Academic Ranks

In addition to fulfilling the general criteria for the evaluation of faculty members described in the previous section, a faculty member must meet specific requirements for each rank in order to be appointed, or promoted, to that rank.

 Instructor

An appointee to this rank must:

1. hold a Master’s degree in the required specialization from a university which is recognized by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research;
2. have a sound teaching record

Assistant Professor

1. hold a doctorate degree or a PhD degree in a relevant discipline from a university which is recognized by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research;
2. have a sound record of teaching, research, and community service;
3. have demonstrated potential for professional growth in his/her field.

Associate Professor

An appointee to this rank must:

1. have a doctorate degree or a PhD degree in a relevant discipline from a university which is recognized by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research;
2. have a sound record of teaching, research, and community service;
3. show potential for becoming a scholar of distinction, and have demonstrated professional recognition and growth;
4. have at least five years of full-time teaching experience at a college or university at the rank of assistant professor;
5. have been promoted to the rank of associate professor at a college or university where the promotion regulations are comparable to those of AAU.

Professor

An appointee to this rank must:

1. have a doctorate degree or a PhD degree, or the highest degree that is customary in the discipline, and have all of the qualifications of Professor;
2. have achieved a record of continuing distinction in scholarship or creative endeavors in the field;
3. have demonstrated excellent teaching ability and shown continuing active engagement with students in and outside the classroom;
4. have a good record of continuing evidence of relevant and effective professional service and demonstrated an ability for continuing achievement in this area;
5. have had at least ten years of full-time teaching experience at a college or university, including at least five of those years at the rank of Associate Professor. He/she also have been promoted to the rank of professor at a college or university where the promotion regulations are comparable to those of AAU.