Board of Trustees: UoB to develop graduate programs and establish new disciplines

At the beginning of the meeting, the Minister of Education, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the University of Bahrain, on his behalf and on behalf of the Board and members of the University, congratulated H.M. King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, H.R.H. Prime Minister Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, and H.R.H. Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander, First Deputy Prime Minister, Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, on the occasion of the upcoming Eid al-Fitr, hinting to the support obtained by education in Bahrain from the wise leadership.

The President and members of the Board of Trustees also congratulated the President of the University of Bahrain and all academic and administrative staff members on the great achievement of the University in obtaining the local academic accreditation certificate issued by the Council of Higher Education recently, following the procedures of evaluation within the international standards and indicators in cooperation with the British Accreditation Council. The Board of Trustees confirmed that such an achievement came after the unremitting efforts made by the university to reach this stage.

During the meeting, Dr. Riyad Yousef Hamzah, the President of the University, presented to the Board of Trustees the details of the annual report to assess the academic, administrative and financial aspects of the University and its strategic plan. The report also highlighted the efforts to develop the orientation program which qualifies students after studying several skills focusing on enhancing their abilities in the English language, mathematics and information technology.

After reviewing the President’s report, the Board decided to entrust the University administration with the development of master’s programs in the health field to be implemented through the College of Science, College of Health Sciences and related colleges, in addition to a vision regarding merging the College of Science and the College of Health Sciences, as part of the University’s efforts to develop its programs and structure its colleges.

On the other hand, the Board entrusted the President of the University to prepare a proposal to include developing graduate programs at the University and a feasibility study on the establishment of new academic programs, including the establishment of a college of medicine in the future and a review of the relevant authorities in the Kingdom. The Board shall look at these proposals and take the appropriate decisions.

The Chairman and members of the Board praised the remarkable achievements of the University, stressing the Board’s support for the University in the implementation of strategic programs and projects, in order for the University, the National University, to reach the ranks of prestigious international universities as desired by the wise leadership.

To promote and develop the University’s performance and outputs in line with global requirements within the best academic practices, the Board of Trustees reviewed in detail the establishment and development of academic programs at the University for the academic year 2017/2018. The President of the University explained that feasibility studies on the local and regional market have been carried out for these programs. In addition, the study plans and academic curricula of each of the programs offered were considered to be of the highest standards.

The Board also reviewed the report of the Audit and Finance Committee and its recommendations, and approved the final accounts of the University and the Bahrain Teachers’ College for the years 2015 and 2016 after reviewing and approving the report of the External Auditor.

Besides, the Board of Trustees was briefed on construction projects for the University of Bahrain, which are currently overseen and implemented by the Ministry of Works and Municipal Affairs and Urban Planning, as a result of joint cooperation between the University and the Ministry.

Finally, the President of the University presented the reality and proposals for appointment to senior positions in the University at the level of Vice-Presidents and Deans. The Board adopted its decisions approving the appointment of Dr. Ali Mansour Al Shehab as Acting Vice President for Scientific Research for one year and approving the completion of Dr. Haya Ali Al-Nuaimi of the second term as Vice President for Community Service and Alumni Affairs as well as the approval of the completion of Dr. Mohammed Saleh Al-Ansari of the second term as Vice President for Information Technology, Administration and Finance. Furthermore, the Board agreed to renew the appointment of Dr. Osama Abdullah Al-Jowdar as Dean of Student Affairs, the appointment of Prof. Minwir Al-Shammari as Acting Dean of the College of Business Administration for a year, and the appointment of Dr. Sadiq Al-Alawi as Acting Dean of the College of Applied Studies and Physical Education for a year. The Council also approved the appointment of Dr. Abdulaziz Mohamed Bulaila as Dean of the College of Arts for three years and Prof. Mohamed Mustafa El-Helou as Dean of the College of Science for three years and as Acting Dean of the College of Health Sciences, in addition to Dr. Lamya Mohamed Al-Jasmi as Dean of the College of Information Technology for three years.

The Chairman and members of the Board of Trustees expressed their appreciation and thanks to the deans of the colleges who have completed their terms for their great efforts to improve the University’s performance and outputs during the period in which they occupied the position of Dean of the College.