Within the preparations for the second term of the academic year 1436/1437, the College of Computer and Information Sciences executed the Freshmen Preparation Program over one full study day from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm at the college campus. The Units of Academic Counselling, E-Learning, and student activities in addition to the Professional academies took part in the program to introduce students to the system of the college, the different departments, student activities and to train them on enrolling in study courses.
Dr. Ahmad Abu Bakr, the head of the academic Counselling Unit started the event by welcoming freshmen then introduced new students to the general system of the college in terms of the organigram, academic follow up and the study system. Dr. Abu Bakr presented after that the departments of the college and their tracks as well as the characteristics of every department in terms of courses, English as a medium of instruction and the differences in courses based on the study plans prepared by the department. Students were given in this regard sheets explaining the differences between the requirements of the university, the college and the academic departments. By the end of this section, the speaker and students discussed the way to enroll in courses according to the forms then students filled in the academic counselling form each according to their choices.
In the second section of the meeting Mr. Azzan Hamad AL Khoreim, head of the E-Learning Unit went into a practical and detailed explanation for the tools D2L offers and which aims to create an electronic learning environment based on most up to date technology in the academic field. The use of D2L seeks to provide students as well as teachers with a good and effective content. D2L enjoys other characteristics and benefits such as the economy of time in addition to the role computers have in buttressing up students learning and helping the faculty member as well as the student to create an attractive learning environment.
Mr. AL Khoreim talked also about the similarity between the electronic learning environment and the traditional one except for the speed of access and the ease of making choices related to the educational process. Unlike the traditional one, the E-learning environment does not rely on space and time which fact allows higher flexibility in communication and performing tasks.
Mr. AL Khoreim's intervention can be summarized in the following points:
- Developing students' skills and ability to interact with modern times through up to date technologies.
- Activating the electronic and distance learning system at CCIS.
- Supporting students with D2L issues.
- Teaching students the skills to use communication and data management technologies.
Mr. Fahd AL Balawi had an intervention in the meeting with freshmen where he talked about professional academies and their importance. In fact, Mr. Balawi started by an overview of the academies available at CCIS and the need to register in them. He then explained how to benefit from these academies during the study years and the role these bodies play in upgrading students' level. The speaker went then into the free trainings offered by them as well as the resources for learning and the softwares they offer for free in addition to the discounts they make on e-books.
Furthermore, Mr. AL Balawi, the responsible for the Student Innovation and Creation Center talked with freshmen on the role the center has in supporting student projects and innovations and explained the procedures to win financial or scientific support for those projects. He then accompanied students in the innovation center of the college where he presented the sections of the center and the date booking mode as well as how to benefit from the center in graduation projects, or innovations and inventions.
At another level, the head of the students affairs unit in the college Mr. Sulaiman AL Azmi explained the services provided by the deanship of student affairs represented by the student affairs unit such as issuing statements for student and ticket order discounts and the mechanism of accepting medical excuses as well as transfer to departments and other services. He then talked about student activities and the importance to take part in them. Mr. AL Azmi stressed also the need for students to participate in competitions and internal and external student trainings because they will enrich their skills.
