"Greater need for IT research in the Arab World," says expert

Research and development in the region needs both increased funding and a wider network of human resources in order to develop dedicated technology solutions for the Arab world, according to Dr. Habib Talhami, senior lecturer and acting head of the institute of informatics at the British University in Dubai (BuiD).

Dr. Talhami's comments come with the launch of two new scholarships from the University of Edinburgh, which will cover 50 percent of the costs for two students to study at BUiD's Institute of Informatics.

Courses at the Institute of Informatics at BUiD enable students to make a distinct contribute to the local knowledge economy through local research. The programs offer students a comprehensive grounding in key techniques considered to be the state-of-the-art in IT research, in addition to the facilities to conduct independent studies on topics of their own choosing.

"Scholarships like this provide important support for students in the region to pursue dedicated research on central technology topics, and also to pursue a local line of study," said Dr. Talhami.

"For the IT industry in the region to grow and continue to serve the needs of the people of the Middle East, it is essential to have a core of local research and development," he added.

The Institute of Informatics at BUiD is the first research-based institute dedicated to Information Technology in the United Arab Emirates. It is rapidly developing a world-class research and publication record and offers MSc degrees specializing in Speech and Natural Language Technologies and Knowledge and Data Management.

The programs are designed to meet the needs of the region and the "Dubai Vision 2010," which aims to put Dubai at the centre of the knowledge economy in the Gulf.

Registrar and acting chief executive of BUiD, David Lock, says "The Institute of Informatics continues to set the pace in providing IT programmes to suit development in the region. Moreover, with BUiD being the first research-based learning University in the Middle East students have the opportunity to learn in a truly dynamic environment."

BUiD was established to facilitate access to world class education, training and research in the Middle East. Working in partnership with leading UK universities, BUiD offers cutting edge education and research in key disciplines including IT, environmental design in building, engineering and Education.

Photo caption: Dr. Habib Talhami, senior lecturer and acting head of the institute of informatics at the British University in Dubai (BuiD)