American University of Sharjah, Madar Research Group explores graduate market needs

The American University of Sharjah (AUS) has teamed up with Madar Research Group to survey the needs of the United Arab Emirates market in Information Technology (IT) training and education within the graduate program. The study underlines the university's commitment to have in place academic courses and programs best suited for the needs of the region's industries and business sectors.

The study will cover 12 major industries in the UAE including information technology, finance, telecommunications, energy, construction, healthcare, tourism and manufacturing, in addition to the government sector. A survey will be carried out in these sectors to get feedback from industry leaders on the integration of e-learning Information Technology material in various engineering specializations.

The study, which will be carried out by the Dubai Media City-based Madar Research Group on behalf of AUS School of Engineering, will take three months to complete.

"Since we founded Madar Research Group to study the Arab world's largely uncharted 'knowledge economy', one of our goals has been to use research for linking up education and training with the industry," said Abdul Kader Kamli, president and research director of Madar Research Group. "We are glad to join hands with the University of Sharjah in this project and be instrumental in assisting education providers cater for the specific needs of the region's businesses and industries," he said, adding that the findings of the study will be published in the Madar Research Journal, the group's flagship product.

"The study will help us as academics and curriculum developers to ensure that we are in tune with the industry and its current and anticipated needs for specific Information Technology skills, which are changing at the rate of technology advancement," said Dr Ali Zalzala, visiting associate professor at the School of Engineering. "We are very serious in exploring the potential of e-learning, and IT is a very suitable subject for such delivery channel."

"At AUS, we have dual responsibility; first, towards our students in providing them with the knowledge and skills that can secure the best jobs upon graduation. We also share the responsibility of providing the industry with a well-trained workforce that can contribute to the economic growth of the region," said Professor Zalzala. "The study will also be a good exercise for our Department of Communications students in the College of Arts and Sciences, who will be assisting in the survey," he added.

AUS School of Engineering offers undergraduate degrees in chemical, civil, mechanical and electrical & electronic engineering, in addition to computer engineering. Also, there are graduate studies offered in the areas of mechatronic engineering, as well as engineering systems and management.