UAE universities strengthen science degree programmes

The new year began with good news for students interested in science, as two major UAE universities, Abu Dhabi University (ADU) and Al Hosn University (AHU), announced the launch of Bachelor of Science degrees in a variety of scientific disciplines. ADU's College of Engineering and Computer Science (CECS) is offering a new programme in Information Technology (IT). The four-year programme will start in February, and will include 129 credit hours. The new degree was launched to keep pace with developments in the IT sector. It will provide students with the skills to meet the needs of companies and institutions to operate effectively in a world that is heavily dependent on technology and communications. The programme will have three concentration areas. The first is web technology and application. This major prepares students for careers in designing, programming, and maintaining data bases and web sites. Students will also learn to administer/manage networks, cyber security and emerging related fields. Article continues below Central elements The second is networking mobile applications and network security mobile communication devices, such as BlackBerry, Smartphone and GPS, which have become central elements in nearly every business operation. Managing these devices comes with significant challenges and requires thorough knowledge in support and security, Dr Aly Nazmy, CECS Dean, told Gulf News. The third is interactive media, game programming and simulation. "We visited 2,454 companies; they indicated a shortage in the market for games and simulations experts. The game programming will allow students to design games related to the Middle Eastern and Arab culture which is in need...," he said.Al Hosn University is offering a Bachelors of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering (BSME) and related fields. The programme starts this month and includes 133 credit hours plus a compulsory internship/industrial training of two credit hours. "This discipline will serve a vital role in the UAE economy especially as the nation is diversifying income sources to reduce dependency on oil. This is creating sectors that can utilise the mechanical engineers' skills in areas like contracting or consulting roles on the design, implementation, operation and maintenance of equipment and machinery," Dr Mohammad Chacha, Associate Professor and Chair of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department at AHU, told Gulf News. Current offerings Chacha said the current offerings do not cover new sectors like Nuclear Engineering, Materials and Manufacturing, Instrumentation and Control. He said an Abu Dhabi initiative will bring nuclear energy to the grid by 2017, and bring more plants online by 2020. "Under the authority of the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC), Abu Dhabi plans to have a trained work force of at least 3,000 engineers and managers to serve this sector alone, by the time that all the planned plants are operational in 2020," Chacha added. ENEC has a scholarship programme for related undergraduate and graduate studies for UAE nationals.