Committee formed to Propose Mechanisms and Criteria for Postgraduate Programs Periodic Evaluation UoB’s College of Information Technology Is Working to Obtain International Accreditation for Its Postgraduate Programs

University of Bahrain – Sakhir (Ali Al-Sabbagh)
23 July 2022
Dr. Hessa Jassim Al-Junaid, Dean of the College of Information Technology at the University of Bahrain, stated that the College is working to develop its postgraduate studies programs, noting that it recently formed a committee to propose mechanisms and criteria for evaluating postgraduate programs periodically.
The Dean also said the College of Information Technology – which offers five master’s and PhD programs- seeks to obtain international accreditations for all its postgraduate programs, which are: PhD in computing and information sciences, master’s in software engineering, master’s in information technology, master’s in machine learning and computational intelligence, and master’s in cyber security.
Moreover, Dr. Al-Junaid explained that the College of Information Technology – the first college in the Kingdom of Bahrain specialized in this field – urges postgraduate students to publish their research in scientific conferences and periodicals and organizes an annual conference to encourage postgraduate students to publish their research there.
The Dean reviewed the advantages of postgraduate studies programs at the College and their opportunities in the labor market, calling on those wishing to join them to register quickly, as the opportunity is still open and the registration period for postgraduate studies programs at the University extends until August 13, 2022.

Ph.D. in Computing and Information Sciences
Dr. Al-Junaid stated that the PhD program in computing and information sciences is a unique program at the regional level, as it prepares students to work as university professors and researchers, or as consultants specialized in the field of computing and information sciences and related fields, “Studies indicate the need for specialized and scientifically advanced cadres will increase in the coming years,” she said, pointing out that “the design of this program came in line with the needs of major related projects, to provide managers and consultants to develop technical systems in both the government and private sectors, and in specialized advisory institutions in computing sciences”.

M.Sc. in Software Engineering
Regarding the master’s program in software engineering, she confirmed the program opens new horizons for graduates to work in several fields that are in demand in the market, including being a design and analysis specialist for simple and complex systems, a specialist in software testing and quality assurance, and a specialist in software project management, in addition to being a specialist in the use of advanced methods in artificial intelligence.
The Dean stated: “According to field studies, software engineering is one of the highly sought-after disciplines in the local and international markets, due to the significant increase in the development of computer systems and their entry into various fields. Software engineering jobs are among the first five most required jobs in the field of information technology.”

M.Sc. in Information Technology
Regarding the master’s in information technology, the Dean said the College of Information Technology began offering a Master’s program in Information Technology in the year 2011, aiming to “play a major role in developing industrial and academic resources related to information technologies, and to achieve the vision of making UoB a part in the stages of transforming the Bahraini economy to a knowledge-based economy, by encouraging effective, sustainable and effective initiatives in line with the realization of Bahrain Vision 2030”.
Furthermore, she said, “graduates of the Master’s of Information Technology program acquire advanced knowledge and leadership skills, to advance their careers in the field of information technology. In addition, they participate in exploration, innovation, research and learning in the field of information technology”.

M.Sc. in Machine Learning and Computational Intelligence
Whereas, on the master’s degree in machine learning and computational intelligence, she said: “This program came in response to the increasing demand for specialists in artificial intelligence and machine learning, a market study and a benchmarking study were conducted, where both showed the necessity of such a program in Bahrain,” noting that “artificial intelligence and machine learning is becoming a very important area in government, business and science all over the world”.
The Dean stated that the College conducted a study on the program, which resulted in promising responses, as 85% of respondents affirmed that their institutions need experts in machine learning and intelligent computing over the next five years. And 98% of respondents stated that they would encourage their employees to join the program once it was offered by UoB.

M.Sc. in Cyber Security
Regarding the master’s degree in cyber security, the Dean said: “The field of cyber security is likely to be one of the fastest growing recruitment fields in Bahrain during the next five years,” noting “at least ten types of occupations have been identified for graduates of programs in the field of security.” This includes network engineer, senior network engineer, network operations manager, associate security engineer, security engineer, IT security manager, assistant security officer, and security officer.
“Awareness on numerous encryption standards-to determine the required level of data security and network concepts related to security-, and implementation of many encryption standards and penetration and vulnerability tests are among the program’s basic skills” she added.

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