NEWS
College of Science at the University of Bahrain Enhances Research through Local and International Partnerships
Sakhir – University of Bahrain (Khadijah Abdusalem)
October 25, 2023
The Dean of the College of Science at the University of Bahrain, Professor Mohammad Mustafa El-Hilo, confirmed that the College seeks to obtain more accreditations from prestigious bodies, continue to upgrade its programs and services to competitive global levels, and enhance scientific research by expanding its research partnerships.
The Dean noted that the College seeks to develop new plans for its programs and prepare the required forms. All departments are to submit the annual review reports required by the Quality Assurance and Accreditation Center during October and November 2023.
Prof. El-Hilo pointed out that the College is working on completing several development projects during the current academic year. He stated, “Development projects include developing a master’s program in applied physics to include a major in elementary particle physics, in a way that would enhance collaboration with the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) and help students conduct their research projects with the Organization. In addition, the College is working on implementing a research project supported by the Deanship of Graduate Studies and Scientific Research, to study plastic pollutants in the Kingdom of Bahrain.”
Collaboration with the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries and University of Lincoln
Regarding collaboration with international bodies, Prof. El-Hilo stated that the College is currently working with the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries in the United Kingdom, and that it plans to collaborate with the University of Lincoln in the United Kingdom in a scientific and research project funded by the Royal Society in cooperation with the Department of Chemistry. He indicated that collaboration includes exchange of visits by faculty members in the Department of Chemistry with the University of Lincoln, joint research and scientific projects, supporting researchers to conduct participatory research, whether by professors or students, holding workshops and conferences, and finding solutions to industrial problems.
Prof. El-Hilo added, “The College is collaborating with the Bahrain Institute of Banking & Finance, to provide students and graduates of the Bachelor of Actuarial Mathematics program with professional qualifications and certificates. From a scientific standpoint, the Department of Biology is seeking to collaborate with the National Initiative for Agricultural Development, the National Space Science Agency (NSSA), and the Dutch company (Smart Farm Sensing) in a project to detect diseases of palm trees in Hoora Aali region and their infection with the red palm weevil.”
Obtaining National and International Accreditations
Prof. El-Hilo stated, “The College’s Quality Office follows up on everything related to the quality of the programs for the academic year 2023-2024.” The bachelor’s programs in mathematics, chemistry, physics, and biology, the master’s programs in big data science and analytics, and the master’s program in environment and sustainable development, obtained the confidence of Education & Training Quality Authority in the review conducted in 2023. Plans for developing these programs were prepared based on the remarks of the review team.
Prof. El-Hilo added, “The bachelor’s programs in biology, mathematics, and physics have obtained accreditation of the international Accreditation Agency for Study Programs in Engineering, Informatics, Natural Sciences and Mathematics (ASIIN) until September of next year 2024. Work is now underway to renew accreditation of these programs, subject to the university’s approval. The Bachelor of Chemistry Program has also been accredited for the third time by the Canadian Society for Chemistry (CSC), until 2030.
Reviewing and Developing College Programs
The Dean of the College of Science, University of Bahrain stressed that one of the College’s top priorities is reviewing and developing academic programs and linking their outcomes to the labor market. He pointed out that the college is currently working on offering sub programs that enhance job opportunities for graduates of the College of Science in important sectors.
Regarding the development of academic programs, Prof. El-Hilo started that the College is working on developing 3 bachelor’s programs, namely the bachelor’s in chemistry, the bachelor’s in physics, and the bachelor’s in biology. The bachelor’s program in actuarial science will also undergo development in its academic curriculum, in response to changes in the field of professional certificates.
As for postgraduate programs, Prof. El-Hilo noted that the College is working on developing 4 programs, namely Master of Mathematics, Master of Applied Physics, Master of Environment and Sustainable Development, and Master of Nutrition and Food Systems, which is being developed into a Master of Nutrition.
