Sharjah: Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS) has reinforced its strategic collaboration with Iowa Women's University in South Korea and the Korean Music Therapy Association, aiming to advance its music therapy programme. This partnership underscores SCHS's commitment to delivering specialised therapeutic programmes adhering to international best practices, thereby enhancing the quality of services for persons with disabilities.
According to Emirates News Agency, Khadija Ahmed Bamakhramah, the Planning and Follow-up Officer and General Supervisor of the Music Therapy Programme at SCHS, highlighted that since its inception in 1979, SCHS has been dedicated to the sustainable development of services for persons with disabilities. This dedication aligns with the organisation's vision of inclusion, advocacy, and empowerment. SCHS has distinguished itself as the first institution in the state to integrate music therapy into its specialised services system. Since 2013, in collaboration with Iowa Women's University and the Korean Music Therapy Association, SCHS has implemented music therapy as a professional intervention grounded in evidence-based therapeutic approaches.
The music therapy programme utilises music as a tool to enhance the physical, linguistic, social, emotional, and cognitive abilities of its beneficiaries. It is tailored to meet the diverse needs and capacities of individuals across various levels. Bamakhramah emphasised the importance SCHS places on cultivating human competencies to ensure the sustainability and quality of the programme's outcomes.
Bamakhramah announced the graduation of the 11th cohort of 10 teachers from SCHS's music therapy programme, bringing the total number of trained SCHS employees to 151. These graduates, comprising teachers, specialists, and supervisors, have been trained in music therapy methodologies and strategies based on scientific and practical foundations. Under the supervision of experts from Iowa Women's University, SCHS initiated the training programme for the 12th cohort on February 4, 2026, with the participation of 11 teachers and specialists. This initiative seeks to further enhance qualified competencies capable of delivering the programme with high efficiency and quality.
In January 2026, SCHS also hosted the 12th annual music therapy workshop in collaboration with Iowa Women's University and the Korean Music Therapy Association. The workshop aimed at enhancing professional practices and expanding graduates' competencies by reviewing the latest global music therapy approaches and strategies.
Bamakhramah acknowledged the continuous support of Sheikha Jameela bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, President of SCHS, as a vital factor in the programme's success and sustainability. She credited Sheikha Jameela's vision for supporting rehabilitation and capacity-building initiatives, which have expanded the impact of this programme, aiding SCHS's mission to empower students with disabilities, improve their communication, social, and cognitive skills, and enhance their quality of life.
Professor Qa Awal Yu, Head of the Department of Music Therapy at the Graduate School of Iowa Women's University, expressed that this year's workshop is particularly significant, highlighting the shared history and progress between SCHS and Iowa Women's University. She praised the dedication of the teachers to professional development and expressed confidence in the potential to expand cooperation to benefit more individuals.