The Information Systems Postgraduate Students Computer Lab set up in the Department of Information Systems at the College of Economics & Political Science (CEPS) at SQU was officially launched on Monday, 24 December 2018 under the patronage of H.E. Dr. Ali bin Saud Al Bemani, Vice Chancellor of SQU. The aim of this postgraduate lab is to provide postgraduate students in the department with a rich and special computing facility to work on their several learning tasks and research, and to enrich their collaboration in an open environment. This lab is the first lab specialized for postgraduate students at CEPS.
Speaking on the occasion, the Dr. Khamis Hamed Al-Yahyaee, the Dean of the College of Economics & Political Science at SQU said that through our state-of-the-art educational and research facilities, the college aims to offer quality education to its students and to develop student’s learning, research and outreach. “From this perspective, the college has established a library that includes five computer labs, in addition to two specialized computers labs: one for information systems undergraduate students and the other for specialized networking and security course”.
The information systems department, in addition to its well-established Information systems major and minor programs at the undergraduate level, is offering an internationally benchmarked Master of Science in Information Systems, which started in 2013. The Dean said that the department is seeking approval to start a new PhD program in Fall 2019 to prepare the next generation of academics, researchers, business leaders, and policy makers who will be empowered with the latest knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to support the advancement of business knowledge, practice and research endeavors in Oman, the region, and worldwide.
The Information Systems Postgraduate Students Computer Lab can accommodate 25 students; it has 15 state-of-art computer workstations with supporting all-purpose printer in additions to discussions tables. The lab also has an interactive smart panel that aims to enhance networking and interactivity between the users of the lab. The smart panel also contains a software package that enables the creation of educational materials. “Since its establishment in February 2018, the lab has been providing a great support to our postgraduate students' learning and research. The lab has been also utilized for several learning events such as workshops and competitions”, the Khamis Hamed Al-Yahyaee said.
The Dean thanked Oman Broad Band Company, the official sponsor of the postgraduate students’ laboratory for its support to the college. He extended special note of thanks to Eng. Saeed Al-Mandhari, the CEO of the company for his dedication and contribution to the college. Dr. Khamis Hamed Al-Yahyaee noted that the college is committed to build strong ties with public and private institutions to enrich our academic programs, learning and research. “We believe such collaboration is critical as it adds great value to our education environment at CEPS. This postgraduate lab establishment partnership with Oman Broadband Company is a real evidence of the company's commitment to contribute to the education process at SQU and to the development of this country”, he concluded.
On his part, Eng. Saeed Al-Mandhari, the CEO of Oman Broadband Company, said that the support of his organization to the educational institutions comes in recognition of the importance of capacity building and human resources development so that the labor market is supported by cadres that are able meet the needs of the market. “Oman Broadband Company gives great importance to the education programs by spreading knowledge and preparing national cadres to engage in the labor market. It our pleasure to collaborate in preparing the Information Systems Lab for Postgraduate Students at SQU; we are grateful to SQU for its services to the nation”. He hoped that the new laboratory would contribute to achieving the desired objectives and enriching the students' knowledge of the importance of information technology, especially as we are approaching to the fourth industrial revolution.