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Promotions Process at ZU


The promotions process at Zayed University (ZU) is designed to recognize and reward faculty members' academic and professional achievements. This process utilizes both standardized criteria, which apply across the university, and college-specific criteria tailored to the unique goals and expectations of each academic unit. The evaluation process involves multiple levels of review, beginning with college-level committees that assess candidates based on their discipline-specific contributions. A university-level committee (UFPAC) then ensures consistency and adherence to the broader institutional standards and provides an additional layer of scrutiny and fairness.

Types of Promotions:

  • Instructor to Senior Instructor: Faculty members seeking promotion to Senior Instructor are evaluated based on their teaching effectiveness, contributions to the university, and professional development. A strong focus is placed on the quality of teaching and engagement with students.

  • Instructor / Senior Instructor to Assistant Professor: This promotion is accessible to faculty members who have earned a terminal degree in their discipline (normally a PhD) and is based on teaching effectiveness, research potential, contributions to the university, and ongoing professional development. Candidates are expected to demonstrate a clear plan for developing a research agenda alongside their teaching responsibilities.

  • Assistant Professor to Associate Professor: This promotion focuses on a balanced combination of teaching excellence, research productivity, and service to the university and community.

  • Associate Professor to Professor: Promotion to Professor is reserved for those who have demonstrated leadership within the university, a strong and sustained research output, and significant contributions to both teaching and service.

General Criteria for Promotion within the Professoriate Ranks:

  • Teaching Excellence: Candidates must provide evidence of high-quality teaching, innovative pedagogy, and positive student evaluations.

  • Scholarship & Creative Activity: A consistent record of publications, research grants, and contributions to the academic community is essential for advancement (particularly relevant from the Assistant Professor level onwards).

  • Service: Faculty members are expected to engage in service to the university, the profession, and the community. Leadership roles are particularly emphasized for those seeking promotion to Professor.

Each promotion case is reviewed by the Promotion Committee, which evaluates the candidate’s contributions in these areas against the established criteria. Faculty members are encouraged to demonstrate a commitment to continual professional growth and to align their activities with the university's mission and goals.

For more information, please refer to the ZU Policies and Procedures portal for the most up to date policy, procedures, and forms associated with academic promotion at Zayed University.