Sharjah Maritime Academy (SMA) has launched Majid, an agentic artificial intelligence-powered voice and chat assistant. This is designed to simplify the admissions and registration process for prospective students and their parents.
The assistant operates around the clock and provides information on academic programs, admission requirements, application procedures and maritime career opportunities. It also guides users to the academy’s online application portal and answers admissions-related queries.
Unlike traditional chatbots, which usually answer preset questions, Majid was developed to understand the users’ intent and offer context-based advice during their admissions process.
Students wishing to apply can interact with the virtual assistant to find suitable programs, requirements, and other information related to the career options in shipping and logistics.
If human assistance is required, Majid can refer students to the admissions advisors, allowing the AI assistant to handle regular questions while the complex ones will be addressed by the personnel. The launch forms part of SMA’s broader AI Strategy, which focuses on the ethical, transparent and responsible adoption of AI across the institution.
The academy has stated that Majid is the first step in a broader AI transformation program. The technology could expand from administration into education, learning, and student engagement, expanding the use of AI beyond administrative tasks.
Additionally, SMA sees the launch of Majid as one of the earliest attempts at implementing agentic AI within UAE higher education.AI will not be limited to mere search functionality and will also be able to understand the needs of the users and guide them further.
The development reflects a broader shift in higher education, where institutions are increasingly deploying AI to improve access to information and streamline student services.
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