Alhosn University unveils world-class IT services via upgraded website and online portal

Developed and owned by the University's IT Department, the new website features a user interface (UI) that is easier to navigate and sports a more modern design. Operating on ASP.NET 3.5 and the latest release of the Microsoft SQL server Database Engine, the current edition incorporates an enhanced search engine that can find data on page content, news, staff, and academic information.

Another welcome addition is a web-based Content Management System (CMS) which eliminates the need for using FTP uploads or creating static web pages. The CMS modules cover Security, News Administration and Academic Information Management. Site Content and Site Map management as well as a dynamic RSS page integrated with website news have also been added. Alhosn's software engineering students contributed to development by assisting in data collection, analysis and entry.

Prof. Abdul Rahim Sabouni, Vice Chancellor and CEO, Alhosn University, said:

"Our new website and portal mark only the beginning of a comprehensive development project which will establish Alhosn as an innovator in online services among the country's educational institutions. Visitors will see how we have tapped the latest technologies and standards to ensure that our internet presence efficiently serves all of our stakeholders, from management and staff to students and parents, as well as guests from industry, government, and other interested sectors."

Alhosn's upgraded Online Portal also runs on ASP.Net 3.5 in addition to the Oracle 10g Database Engine. Version 3.0 of the Student Portal features Home and Course Registration pages with a better UI and faster performance.

Among its new modules are Online Application, Academic Calendar, University and Instructors Schedule, and Scholarship Form. Through the portal, Alhosn students can log on and check their grades, revise their study plan, adjust courses based on their schedules and be aware of academic updates anytime and anywhere, even while they are enjoying their vacation abroad. Parents can also use accounts to track academic performance and progress.

Version 1.1 of the Instructor's Portal, on the other hand, has a new UI as well and has been linked to external services such as email and Moodle. A more enhanced version of this portal is intended to be released by fall of 2009. Version 2.0 of the Administration Portal secures all channels used for data transfer using the HTTPS protocol. Security is enforced via integration with the Microsoft Active Directory security model. Among this portal's new components are Academic Scholarship and Academic Change Student Major pages, Administrative University Contracts Module Management, and an Administrative University Messaging Reference Number Manager.

"As with our website, we have taken extra steps to ensure that our online portal meets the highest global standards. Our specific goals were to minimize the staying time of students, reduce human errors during the online admission process, and enhance security against all types of system attacks. We have achieved all of these while creating a portal theme that reflects Alhosn's spirit of professionalism and creativity," added Eng. Mohamed Farouk, Senior Software Engineer, Deputy IT Director, Information Technology Department.

Alhosn's other unique web-based services include an online course management system; Turnitin, an originality checking and plagiarism prevention service used by students, faculty and institutions worldwide; and online library assistance. The university's new online services reflect its focus on leveraging science and engineering to support the Emirates' transformation into a digital society.