Students joining universities in Arab countries this fall have a growing array of choices of what to study, as universities introduce new majors designed to keep pace with the changes taking place in education and the labour market.
Following is a sampling of 10 new study programmes at universities in the Arab region that aim to qualify students for jobs in demand now and in the future.
The programmes include new bachelor’s degrees, new specialisations within existing degrees, and certificate programmes for working professionals seeking to learn new skills.
Bachelor of Information Security – Birzeit University
The Faculty of Engineering at Palestine’s Birzeit University will offer a new bachelor’s degree in Information Security starting this fall.
The programme combines computer science and computer engineering studies into a new curriculum that covers basic cybersecurity skills and integrates them with software development skills. The goal is to enable graduates to use security protection mechanisms and develop new software solutions that meet safety requirements.
Biomedical Informatics and Cybersecurity Engineering Programmes – University of Sharjah
The University of Sharjah, in the United Arab Emirates, has announced the launch of two new programmes in the College of Computing and Informatics, a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Informatics and a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity Engineering. Both start this fall.
The four-year programmes include scientific and practical courses that aim to qualify students for jobs in the local and international labour markets.
Bachelor of Science in Digital Media and Interactive Technology – Royal University for Women, Bahrain
The Royal University for Girls Women, in Bahrain, will offer a Bachelor of Science in Digital Media and Interactive Technology, starting in September.
The four-year programme aims to prepare female graduates for in-demand jobs in interactive multimedia, website design and development, mobile application design, digital video, 2D and 3D graphics, virtual reality, game and social media design, digital marketing, and user experience and interaction.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Qatar University
Qatar University has announced the launch of a new Bachelor of Science in Nursing programme, with studies to begin this fall.
The four-year programme aims to enable students to design and implement specialised professional nursing care focused on patients and families in a variety of community environments and institutions, with a focus on patient safety and quality care.
Bachelor’s Programme in Cinema and Theatre – Imam Mohammad ibn Saud Islamic University
Imam Mohammad ibn Saud Islamic University, in Saudi Arabia, will start teaching a bachelor’s degree programme in cinema and theatre this fall. The dean of the university’s College of Media and Communication told news outlets that he programme was the first bachelor’s-level programme in this field at a Saudi university.
The programme aims to qualify graduates to work in fields like screenwriting, film and theater directing, artistic and aesthetic criticism, dramatic production, animation production, and theatrical and film performance skills.
Financial Technology and Risk Management Programme – Mutah University, Jordan
Jordan’s Higher Education Council has approved a new bachelor’s degree programme in financial technology and risk management at Mutah University, in southern Jordan, starting this year.
The programme is concerned with the process of moving funds from traditional to modern financial methods,through the use of financial business models, applications and solutions that facilitate the management of operations.
Environmental Science and Technology Programme – Cairo University
Cairo University has launched a new bachelor’s degree programme in environmental science and technology to meet the growing demand for researchers who can address topics related to environmental problems and climate change.
The new curriculum is multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary, drawing on basic science courses, practical studies and field training to provide students with basic environmental knowledge that is addressed in the biological, chemical, physical, geological and applied disciplines.
Engineering Premed Track – Lebanese American University
The School of Engineering at the Lebanese American University, in cooperation with the School of Medicine, is introducing an Engineering Premed Track as part of all its Bachelor of Engineering programmes, starting next spring.
The programme will qualify engineering graduates to apply to medical school to pursue a medical degree or graduate studies in health-related fields such as biomedical engineering. They could also decide to work in their engineering field of choice.
Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Therapy – University of Nizwa, Oman
The University of Nizwa, in Oman, has launched a bachelor’s degree programme in physical therapy at its College of Science, starting in the new academic year.
To join the programme, applicants must hold a diploma in physical therapy from a higher education institution in the Sultanate of Oman or from an institution outside Oman that is recognised by the sultanate. Applicants must also have five years’ experience in the specialisation and be still working.
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Laser Techniques in Dentistry Programme – American University of Baghdad
The College of Dentistry at the American University of Baghdad has launched a certificate programme for practicing dentists to learn laser technologies in dentistry. The programme, offered in cooperation with Aachen Center for Dental Education with Laser Technology (AALZ), in Germany, the first of its kind in Iraq.
Participants in the eight-week programme learn the latest laser technologies in dentistry in addition to leadership skills.
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