13 June 2023/WJ/1

GADRI Membership Application Form

Institute Logo in jpg format

Name of Institute:Rabdan AcademyAddress:

65 Al Inshirah St, Abu Dhabi

Fax No:naContact:

Dr. Matthew Ellis

Title:

Program Chair – BCM and IEM

Contact Person E-mail:mellis@ra.ac.ae

Institute web address:

https://ra.ac.ae/

Institute webpage URL:
Institute Outline:

Rabdan Academy is a government-owned world-class education institution established
to coordinate and enhance learning outcomes for organisations and individuals in theSafety, Security, Defence, Emergency Preparedness and Crisis Management (SSDEC)
Sectors.
The Academy was officially established under Law No. 7 for 2013, issued by the late
Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and is accredited by the UAE’s Commission forAcademic Accreditation (CAA) of the Ministry of Education.
The Academy is the first higher education institution in the world specialised in theSSDEC domain that achieves top ‘5 star’ ratings in the 2 categories of Teaching andEmployability under the QS Stars University Rating System.
As a unique institution, the Academy provides learning in a dual approach, combining
academic and vocational education in one place, whilst recognising prior learning andexperience and providing accredited and transferable credit from course to course andjob to job.

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Research Interests (areas of research disciplines, number of faculty members, etc.):
Relevant Programs and Their Faculty Numbers:
1. Policing and Security: 5 faculty members
2. Homeland Security: 20 faculty members
3. Business Continuity Management (BCM):
4. Emergency Management (IEM):
BCM and IEM share faculty = 8
Additionally, our research department is dynamic with fluctuating numbers and arerequired to provide teaching support. We concentrate our research efforts in the SSDEC
domain. Notably, approximately 80% of our researchers hold PhDs from top-tieruniversities, ranking within the top 200 worldwide. Furthermore, many of ourresearchers have practical experience in their respective fields.
A brief description of Research Achievements and Challenges:

Achievements: Rabdan Academy has significantly advanced its research portfolio in the areasof Policing, Security, Homeland Security, Business Continuity Management, and Emergency
Management. Through a focused approach in the SSDEC domain, the Academy has fosteredcollaborative ties with external researchers who share a similar mindset and interests. Thissynergy has enabled groundbreaking studies, increased publication output, and establishedRabdan as a leader in disaster research and management.
Challenges: While the Academy has made notable strides, challenges persist. Gaining
consistent access to a global network of external researchers with aligned interests can bedemanding, especially in niche research areas. Ensuring sustained collaboration andresource-sharing among these researchers, while navigating cultural and institutional
differences, remains a hurdle. Further, staying updated with rapidly evolving global standards
and integrating them into the Academy's methodologies requires continuous effort.
Comparative advantage/contribution to GADRI Activities:
Rabdan Academy's programs distinctly align with the objectives and mission of theGlobal Alliance of Disaster Research Institutes (GADRI). Emphasizing areas such as
Policing and Security, Homeland Security, Business Continuity Management, andEmergency Management, the Academy actively contributes to the global effort ofunderstanding, managing, and mitigating disaster risks. By fostering a strong research
culture, especially in the SSDEC domain, and with many of its researchers holding13 June 2023/WJ/3esteemed qualifications, the Academy echoes GADRI's dedication to advancing
knowledge and collaboration in disaster risk reduction and resilience on a global scale.
Expected Outputs/Results:
Focused Knowledge Exchange: Being part of GADRI will provide Rabdan Academy
access to an enriched pool of global insights and best practices specifically tailored todisaster research. This can complement and elevate the Academy's existing programs inareas like Homeland Security, Emergency Management, and more.
Enhanced Collaborative Opportunities: With a shared mindset, Rabdan Academy canembark on joint research projects, tapping into the collective expertise and strengths ofGADRI’s diverse member institutes and vice versa.
Recognition and Credibility: Affiliation with a globally respected entity like GADRI canbolster Rabdan Academy's reputation in the disaster research and management domain
and vice versa.
Broadened Networking Scope: By engaging with GADRI's extensive network, theAcademy can establish connections with global leaders in disaster research, leading tomutually beneficial collaborations.
Continuous Learning and Development: Access to GADRI's conferences, seminars, andworkshops ensures Rabdan Academy remains updated with the latest developments
and trends in disaster research.
Participation in Global Initiatives: Rabdan Academy can play an instrumental role in
influencing global disaster research standards, priorities, and methodologies, ensuring
their unique perspective and expertise is represented at a global scale.