NEWS
The University of Bahrain Holds a Conference on Decision Aid Sciences and Applications, in which 234 Research Papers Were Discussed
Sakhir – University of Bahrain (Khadija Abdul Salam)
December 12, 2021
The President of the University of Bahrain, Dr. Jawaher bint Shaheen Al-Mudhahki, pointed to the constant challenges and difficulties that companies face due to the accumulation of huge amounts of information, and the need to make strategic decisions in a timely manner, in an environment that is much more complex than ever before.
Dr. Al-Mudhahki added, “With the continuous advancements in artificial intelligence, technologies such as machine learning and cloud computing are often not well understood by companies. These technologies can provide efficiency that contributes to achieving strategic objectives and corporate goals. In the era of big data, it is necessary for decision-makers within organizations to take advantage of business intelligence, and its commercial benefits generated by innovative technologies, based on advanced analytics, and artificial intelligence.”
Dr. Al-Mudhahki indicated that the University of Bahrain started introducing a PhD program in business analytics this year. The university also established a research center for business analytics and responsible management in 2020, to provide data-based research projects and implement them in partnerships with public and private sector institutions.
Dr. Al-Mudhahki made this statement on the first day of the “International Conference on Decision Aid Sciences and Applications” in its second edition. During the conference, 234 research papers by researchers from more than 41 countries around the world were presented and discussed.
The Dean of Graduate Studies and Scientific Research, Dr. Mohammad Reda Qader, expressed his pleasure that the University of Bahrain organized this conference. He stated “We are honored to host all speakers in this conference, which is a platform for researchers, engineers, professionals and Academicians from all over the world, to present the findings of their research papers and projects that contribute to providing solutions to problems we all face.”
The conference was organized by the Deanship of Graduate Studies and Scientific Research, in collaboration with the College of Business Administration, with technical support from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and in partnership with the American Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS).
Three keynote speakers participated in this conference, namely Professor Fouad bin Abdulaziz from NEOMA Business School in France, Dr. Nantana Gajaseni, Vice President of Mae Fah Luang University (MFU), and Professor Sue Merchant, Vice President of International Activities at the American Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS).
Professor Merchant referred to the efforts of the University of Bahrain in supporting operations research and business analytics, linking the outputs of the College of Business Administration with the implications of the accelerating digital developments in the field of business and finance, and promoting best practices in this field through introducing a PhD program in Business Analytics. Professor Fouad bin Abdulaziz also indicated the importance of this general trend in the College of Business Administration, which would contribute to the preparation of highly qualified scientific cadres in the field of business administration and data analytics, to effectively participate in the economic and social development in the Kingdom of Bahrain and abroad.
Gajaseni gave a lecture on the difficulties that universities faced in making decisions to face the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, and introduce innovative solutions to enhance teaching and learning, especially in graduate studies and scientific research. She lauded the steps taken by the universities, including the University of Bahrain, in enhancing constructive cooperation and communication with international partners. She added, “Digital technology alone cannot guarantee the quality of education. It is necessary to exchange experiences and work together for the sake of innovation in teaching and learning, and get ready from now to transition back to normal life soon.”
