1st training session of Basic Bloomberg Navigation for Academic Staff in Administrative Science College

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In light of linking the theoretical aspect with the practical reality of many courses of the accounting and finance department, and in line with the University’s plan for the continuous development of faculty members, the accounting and finance department hosted on 4th of May 2023, Mr. Gabriele De Vito the Sales Manager of Bloomberg Middle East and North Africa. In the presence of the vice president for Academic Affairs and development, the dean of the Administrative Sciences College, and a number of colleagues of the faculty members in the college and Department. Mr. Gabriel presented a training course titled “Basic Navigation of Bloomberg Lab”. There was Some practical examples were applied during the session and the companies are listed on the Bahrain Bourse and other international companies were reviewed and identified how to deal with the data available in the global list. at the end, the discussion was opened by the lecturer and colleagues present, noting that this course is part of a series of other training courses to be conducted at the Bloomberg lab of the University. The Students will be engaged, trained and use the laboratory for many upcoming training courses.

10^th Career Day

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Under the auspices of Mr. Jameel bin Muthamad Ayyi Hamidan, the Minister of Labor, the Professional Development and Alumni Affairs Unit in collaboration with the Student Affairs Office organized the “10th Career Day” exhibition. The exhibition was inaugurated by Mr. Ahmed Jarrar Al Tayyari, Assistant Deputy Minister for Work Affairs, and Mr. Eyad Abdulaziz Ayyil, Assistant Deputy Minister for Technical and Vocational Training. The event was attended by Mr. Abdulilah Ayyil, Head of the Vocational Education Department, and Mr. Mohammed Ayyil, Assistant Vice Rector for Development and Quality. It was also attended by representatives from various government agencies, private sector employers, and a number of faculty members and students.

The exhibition featured more than 50 organizations from different sectors, showcasing the Ministry’s projects and programs in various employment fields. It provided a platform for job seekers to explore a wide range of employment opportunities, including specialized fields and vocational programs.

The event achieved significant success in engaging participants, providing them with a comprehensive understanding of the labor market and the University’s efforts to bridge the gap between graduates and the job market. The Career Day exhibition serves as a proactive step towards aligning graduates’ skills with the needs of the labor market, offering them suitable job opportunities that match their expertise. The exhibition also facilitates networking opportunities between students and potential employers, ultimately contributing to the enhancement of students’ career prospects and successful integration into the workforce.

ASURISE ADVANCE HE CENTRE

https://www.asu.edu.bh/asurise-advance-he-centre/about-asurise-advance-he-centre/

At Applied Science University, the ASU-rise scheme is an accreditation provision by Advance- HE (former HEA, The Higher Education Academy), the Advance- HE is the professional association for academics in Higher Education.

Applied Science University is committed with a positive and active engagement in staff development, and ensures that all staff at ASU have the right experience and expertise in teaching and supporting learning measured against the United Kingdom Professional Standards Framework (UKPSF) that has been globally recognised and implemented.

The ASU-rise accredited centre runs workshops and supports staff applying for various types of categories.  The selection of the right category depends on the individual’s experience and role in teaching and supporting learning in the Higher Education.

The ASU-rise scheme has gained the accreditation of the provision of Descriptors D1, D2, and D3.

D1, Associate Fellow (AFHEA), is suited to early career academics, and members of staff who support academic provision (learning technologist, learning developers, learning resources, library staff, etc.)

D2, Fellow (FHEA), is suited to experienced academics who can demonstrate a broad understanding of effective approaches to teaching and learning with a key contribution to high quality student learning, and combining teaching, research, and other professional activities.

D3, Senior Fellow (SFHEA), is suited to academics who are consolidating their personal development and can evidence the influence on other colleagues’ professional practices in Higher Education. This category is for academics who can demonstrate a thorough understanding of effective approaches to teaching, learning and support as a key contribution to high quality education.

(For more details, and support please visit the ASU-rise centre allocated at ASU campus, or contact ASU-rise administrator).

Dr Faiza Zitouni

(Scheme Leader), PFHEA ( Principal Fellow of  Advance HE)

“At ASU, we always strive to raise the bar for quality education, with an ultimate goal to provide the best opportunities for our staff and students”

Delivering a Lecture Titled “Writing Thesis Proposals” to the Local Community

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Dr Rashed Alrasheed, Assistant Professor in Department of Political Science at the College of Administrative Sciences, delivered an online lecture titled “Writing Thesis Proposals” on June 30th, 2021, to the local community within ASU Community Engagement activities, the Training, Development and Continuing Education Centre and ASU Community Engagement Office. The lecturer clarified forty-three rules for writing master and doctoral thesis proposals during the lecture, which aims to understand the general structures of a thesis proposal and plan. In addition to the local community, the lecture attendance included a number of academic and administrative staff, and ASU students and alumni.

Delivering a Lecture Titled “The Art of Decision-Making and Solving Administrative Problems” to the Local Community

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Dr Atheelah Alazawi, Assistant Professor in Department of Business Administration at the College of Administrative Sciences, delivered an online lecture titled “The Art of DecisionMaking and Solving Administrative Problems” to the local community on January 6th, 2021, within ASU community engagement activities, the Training, Development and Continuing Education Centre and the ASU Community Engagement Office. The lecture discussed a number of topics, including the concept of administrative decisionmaking, stages of decisionmaking, the manager’s role and data in decision-making, types of decisions according to the degree of data assurance, the role of computers in decision-making, and the role of quantitative decisionmaking methods. In addition to the local community, the lecture attendance included a number of academic and administrative staff, ASU students and alumni.

Delivering a Lecture Titled “Basics of Strategic Planning” to the Local Community

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Professor Hatem Dammak, Head of the Audit and Compliance Unit at Applied Science University, delivered an online lecture titled “The Basics of Strategic Planning” on February 23rd, 2021, to the local community within ASU community engagement activities, the Training, Development and Continuing Education Centre and ASU Community Engagement Office. The lecture addressed various topics, including an introduction to strategic planning, the benefits of strategic planning, the strategic planning process, the analyses required before writing the strategic plan, its vision, mission, values, priorities, goals, performance indicators, and operational plans, publishing and updating. In addition to the local community, the lecture attendance included a number of academic and administrative staff, ASU students and alumni.

Delivering a Lecture Titled “Writing Legal Memos” to the Employees of the General-Secretary of Shura Council

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Prof Murad Altarawneh, Assistant Professor in Department of Private Law at the College of Law, delivered an online lecture titled “Writing Legal Memos” on February 25th, 2021, to the employees of the Secretary-General of Shura Council within the framework of cooperation between the Applied Science University and the Secretary General of Shura Council, the Training Committee in the Directorate of Human Resources & Finance of the Council, in collaboration with ASU Community Engagement Office. A number of topics were discussed during the lecture, including the basic points that must be available before drafting memos, writing a list of claims, writing a list of notices, data lists, urgent requests, and the close of pleading.

Delivering a Lecture Titled “How to Determine the Price of a Commodity in the Market” to the Local Community

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Dr Ragab Ebrahim, Assistant Professor in Department of Accounting and Finance at the College of Administrative Sciences, delivered an online lecture titled “How to Determine the Price of a Commodity in the Market” on March 7th, 2021, to the local community within ASU community engagement activities, the Training, Development and Continuing Education Centre and ASU Community Engagement Office. The lecture addressed various topics, including the difference between the competitive market and the monopoly market, the demand curve for a commodity the supply curve for a commodity. He also clarified the equilibrium price definition. In addition to the local community, the lecture attendance included a number of academic and administrative staff, ASU students and alumni.

Delivering a Lecture Titled “Computer Application in Business” to the Local Community

https://www.asu.edu.bh/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/CE-Booklet2020-2021.pdf

Dr Ahmad Shatat, Head of Department of Management Information Systems at the College of Administrative Sciences, delivered an online lecture titled “Computer Application in Business” on June 23rd, 2021, to the local community within ASU Community Engagement activities, the Training, Development and Continuing Education Centre and ASU Community Engagement Office. The lecture addressed various topics, including Microsoft Office definition and its applications and practical examples of using applications, such as Word and Excel. In addition to the local community, the lecture attendance included a number of academic and administrative staff, ASU students and alumni.

The Academic Staff Development Unit (ASDU)

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The Academic Staff Development Unit (ASDU) provides effective academic development opportunities for all staff working on ASU programmes so that our students’ experience of learning ‘gets better all the time’. ASDU aims to work in collaboration with colleges and departments to support their staff. ASDU is both proactive and responsive and invites staff to discuss their developmental needs on an individual as well as departmental basis.

We achieve our aims through:

• Contributing to relevant strategies such as those related to learning, teaching and assessment strategy.
• Leading the planning, development, co-ordination and delivery of academic staff development activity which supports Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategy, Research Strategy, Staff Development Policy and other relevant strategies and legislation such as the MoE’s Vision 2030
• Leading in the promotion of a learning culture among academic colleagues in which they are positively engaged in enhancing their own skills and effectiveness in pursuit of ASU and personal goals.
• Acting as a central link for colleges to external organizations, such as the Higher Education Academy (supporting applications for Fellowship of the HEA and the Staff and Educational Development Association (SEDA).

The learning of all staff and students is on-going and continuous as is understanding how people learn. We engage proactively in the scholarship of learning and teaching; disseminating others’ work and undertaking our own in order enhance the learning experiences of our colleagues and students.

Scholarship, professionalism and ethical practice

Scholarship enables us to adopt an informed, analytical and critical approach to what and how we learn. By drawing on competing theories, policies, models and research scholarship allows us to interrogate and challenge our practice. Ethical practice permeates all our work; it involves valuing the roles everyone in the University plays and being aware of how differences in power can impact on work relationships, and not misusing that power; confidentiality; sustainability; trust and mutual respect all contribute to ethical practice.

Working effectively with diversity and promoting inclusivity

We seek to ensure that each learner, and each colleague, has, as far as possible, the same or appropriately equivalent opportunity to learn, develop and succeed. We learn from and are enriched by this diversity in the staff and student body.

Fundamentals of the Planning Process

The unit built its planning process on a number of pillars, mentioned below, that were not dealt with separately as each variable of them interferes with and affects the other variables.

We tried our best to integrate them in a way that fits with both, the university expectations and the individual’s needs. Such pillars are listed below:

-1 The university’s strategic objectives. Achievement of the strategic objectives of the university represent the umbrella under which all activities of academic members’ development are directed. Strategic objectives of Applied Science University are framed with internationalization. This requires specific gearing and preparation of its academic staff. We need to get academics ready as soon as we can to meet the needs of modern age students with all their prospects, potentials, and expectations.

-2 Self-recognized training/ development need forms. Forms were distributed to all academic members during the last semester of previous academic year to recognize the individual development of each one.

-3 Issues related to training/ development that arose during meetings, conferences, workshops and reports of HEC.

Such pillars represented the guidelines for the analysis process that resulted in the tentative training/ development plan for the academic members of the university. Which get us to the following part of the report.

The training plan of the ASDU is focused on the following characteristics:

1. Information Technology: it includes linking the theory with practice through the following activities:

• E- Learning
• The university website
• The use of the database at the library.
• Plagiarism in research and course-work.
• Tests and evaluating the students through the new registration system

2. Professional Skills It includes the following activities:

• To improve academic staff efficiency of the scientific research using modern methods.
• Etiquette and behavior of the university profession
• To develop the methods of evaluating the performance of students and the quality of the exam paper.
• The skills of effective teaching
• To evaluate the participation of the teaching staff in the community services.

3. To Guarantee the Quality of Education It includes the following activities: Mechanism of internal quality and continues evaluation.

• The quality criteria in the teaching operations.
• The assurance of quality in the educational operation.
• Self -evaluation report.
• To develop the academic efficiency to serve the community.

4. Strategic Plan It includes the following activities:

• To prepare the executive plan for development.

5. Leadership and the Management It includes the following activities:

• To make decisions and solve problems.
• To build a working team.
• Leadership development for the university academic jobs.

6. Skills of Communication and Dealing with the Group

It includes the following activities:-

• The use of the social network in the university (Facebook, Twitter, Blogs)
• Organizing scientific conferences
• Competitive research projects

7. Community and Cultural Services It includes the following events and activities:

• Seminar in the community services

Training & Development Process

1. Purpose

The purpose of this process is to ensure that an effective procedure exists for the identification, provision and review of training requirements for each staff member.

2. Responsibility

The responsibility for this process lies with ASDU. All line managers within the University are responsible for implementing the procedure.

3. Procedure

Training & development is a two-way process which is driven by both the staff and University with the sole purpose of helping staff to perform better by maximizing its effectiveness. The training can be on- and off-site depending on the availability and need.

1. Development driven by the staff

• The line manager and employee discuss what training or development programmes are required and identify when these can take place. The training requirements identified for each individual are based on the individual’s competence, qualifications, and experience compared to the competence, qualifications and experience required for their role in the University.
• Complete the Development Action Plan form (see Annex)
• Submit to ASDU for consideration.
• Whenever training takes place, the details are recorded on the individual’s Development Action Plan form and the employee comments on the effectiveness of the training that was undertaken. Where certificates are received, these should be copied and attached to the record.

1. Development driven by ASDU

As part of its responsibilities, ASDU continues to seek novel and innovative ways to improve staff performance helping them to be the best they can. On many occasions, ASDU is presented with training opportunities which will be beneficial with staff needs.

Training Needs’ Form

ASU E-Learning for All

ASU promotes learning for all and has the purpose of teaching different topics, in this sense, through E-LEARNING it provides the students, staff and community in general with different courses, training free of charged in order to train and develop skills, to access the platform. The person must register with their basic data and can access different content [1].

Figure 1. ASU E-Learning for All taken from [1].

ASU, thinking of the general community, students and staff, implemented an E-Learning section in which people who are part of the academic community and people outside the university can train and develop skills necessary for educational and human growth. ASU E-learning offers courses and training programs [2].

Figure 2. ASU E-Learning for All – Platform, taken from [2]

The courses offered by ASU are mostly for everyone, this service is free of charged. In addition, there are courses that are specifically for students with subjects related to academic careers at ASU. [2].

Figure 3. ASU E-Learning for All – Courses from [2].

In the E-LEARNING Platform, grades are obtained through the TESTs that are presented on the course that is being developed and depending on the grade of the test the student passes or not.

Figure 4. ASU E-Learning for All – Test, taken from [2].

ASU Online Library

ASU, as an alternative to E-LEARNING, has an Online Library in which there are many books, readings, studies and research on different topics that students, staff and persons who are not studying at the university can enjoy. Additionally, ASU library has a support section to improve poverty, among these topics is information to improve access to basic services for all people. This service is free of charged [3].

Figure 5. ASU Online Library, taken from [3]

In ASU Library people will find a catalog of topics in which they can choose the ones that are most interesting to them and enjoy all the options there are to learn. In this section there are conferences that provide the community with useful information which allows access to basic services such as energy, water and health [3].

         Figure 6. ASU Online Library – Books, taken from [3]

Lecture “Processing of Drinking Water”

• This research, found in the virtual library of the university and freely accessible to the entire community, deals with the process to purify and make water drinkable, the guidelines and recommendations to the public and the importance of the treatment that should be given to the water before taking it to avoid illness or health problems [4].

         Figure 7.  Processing of Drinking Water, taken from [4]

Figure 8.  Processing of Drinking Water – Water purification, taken from [4]

The Training Development & Continuing Education Centre (TDCEC)

The ASU Training, Development, and Continuing Education Center allows students & organizations to access a wide range of topics with a strong practical background which will help develop the skills and productivity in people. TDCEC offers its short course program in line with its mission to provide training programs that are accessible to students and the community. These courses are offered both to students and community, which are directed aimed at encompassing a gran range of topics that are in line with the University’s Vision, Mission, and Strategic Plan. The courses deal with topics on how to access basic services for people’s needs, guidelines and knowledge to improve health, well-being, the basic resources that a person needs such as water and energy and in turn how to make the most of them [5].

         Figure 9. ASU Training, Development and Continuing, Education Centre – Books, taken from [5].

Figure 10. ASU Training, Development and Continuing, Education Centre – Staff, taken from [5].

ASU promotes training programs among its academic community, staff and local community to provide knowledge tools to all equally, some those events are:

7th International Quality Assurance Programme (IQAP)

Dr Roy D. Tumaneng, Deputy Director of QAAC, and Dr Mohammed AlAghbari, Head of QAA for Academic Affairs Unit, participated in the 7^th International Quality Assurance Programme (IQAP) which was held on 12-16 November 2020 in Dubai, UAE. The said training programme delivered by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA-UK) is intended for QA professionals across the globe. Over the years, QAA has welcomed delegates from over 35 different countries to take part in lively and perceptive discussions about the quality of Higher Education. Some issues and concerns affect Higher Education providers, internationally, whichever country they are located. This programme is also about enabling participants to learn from each other, to help shape and improve the learning experiences of students worldwide. IQAP provides the participants with opportunities to (1) learn from other colleagues from around the world who are working in similar roles but different contexts; (2) reflect on their roles and practices within a broader context of contemporary thinking about Higher Education and Quality Assurance; (3) learn about current issues in the strategic management of Higher Education Assurance; and, (4) develop new skills relevant to the improvement of quality assurance processes and practice in their context and to identify areas for further development, (5) In addition, topics on how to educate and how to provide basic services for all in Bahrain were discussed.  This year’s batch of IQAP delegates consisted of fifteen QA professionals from the United States, UK, Hong Kong, Botswana, Mauritius, Bulgaria, Turkey, UAE, and the Kingdom of Bahrain participated in the programme, both Dr Roy and Dr Mohammed believe that IQAP has enabled them to comment more effectively on the major contemporary issues facing quality improvement in education globally and that they have acquired comparators to their experiences by working with colleagues from other countries.  [6].

Figure 11. 7th International Quality Assurance Programme (IQAP), taken from [6].

LECTURE ON ‘DIABETES AND ITS RISK’

On the occasion of the Cultural Season of the College of Law, a lecture was held about Diabetes and Its Risks” With the purpose of improving the health of the people in Bahrain, and for ASU, health is a basic service of every human being and it is necessary that this type of events provide the necessary training to have information that saves lives and allows the well-being of the community. It was delivered by Dr Raoof Hamed Othman, the advisor of Family Medicine at the Ministry of Health/Assistant Professor at the Arab Gulf University. The lecture was very informative and was attended by many of the students and academic staff who raised different questions afterwards. The topics discussed in the lectures covered the following: 1. Diabetes in Bahrain and the Middle East 2. Pre-diabetes stage 3. Lifestyle change to avoid diabetes 4. Methods of treatment [7].

Figure 12. Lecture On ‘Diabetes and Its Risk‘, taken from [7]

Educational and Basic Services for All Bahrain

Dr Saeed Al Dulaimi participated in the educational and basic services for all Bahrain event, organized by Halima Saadia, Preparatory School for Girls on 12 May 2021 in cooperation with PR and Community Engagement Office. He volunteered to help in promoting ASU and explaining for visitors, students and parents about educational programmes offered by the University and the support provided by the University to the entire community for access to basic services [8].

Figure 13. Educational career event form [8]

“Accelerating ICT Skills in the Kingdom of Bahrain”

The Dean of Arts and Science College Dr. Belal Zaqaibeh presented how to accelerate ICT skills during the knowledge share session on “Accelerating ICT Skills in the Kingdom of Bahrain” [9] which was organized by the office of the secretary general of the Higher Education Council (HEC) on Wednesday February 24, 2016. Dr. Zaqaibeh has focused on how to deliver ICT courses, where he mentioned that the course description should be well organized accordingly with international universities and should cover the course learning outcomes. The presentation focused also on delivering practical and theoretical subjects, how to embed professional certificates, how to ensure the curriculum is relevant to market needs where industrial training (internships), advisory board, and marketing committee were discussed in details. Finally, Dr. Zaqaibeh summarized his presentation by talking about how to ensure the graduates have gained the needed skills by the Labor Market. Dr. Mohammad Alaa Hussain Al-Hamami member of CE Office and Ms. Monia Mensi participated in the Knowledge sharing session

Figure 14. “Accelerating ICT Skills in the Kingdom of Bahrain” from [9]

OXFORD BUSINESS GROUP (OBG) AT ASU

A representative from the Oxford Business Group spent the day in the main lobby of ASU where students and staff had the unique opportunity to fill the subscription forms and get one-year complimentary access to all OBG’s online library. The Oxford Business Group is a global economic research and business intelligence company headquartered in London, UK. They create annual economic reports in 34 countries in the world. These reports are used by the high-end business community (CEOs, ministers, analysts, etc.) for their investment research on fast growing economies Student and staff who took advantage of this opportunity will have access to the same sources. Additionally, the community will be able to access books, library courses to support low-income people to have basic services. [10].

Figure 15. OXFORD BUSINESS GROUP (OBG) AT ASU, taken from [10]

“I CAN CHANGE”

ASU Organized a carnival under the patronage of Applied Science University, the Community Engagement Office with the collaboration of Bahrain Deserve Voluntary team organized a carnival themed “I can Change” on the occasion of World Health Day at Seef Mall, Arad on 8 April 2017. The event was covered by Bahrain National Television. The carnival included many activities such as marathon, competitions, free medical checkups, healthy practices, providing gifts and healthy products to visitors, and many other entertainment activities. Many sports teams from Bahrain and Saudi Arabia have participated in the carnival. Participations from the local community and neighboring countries, and academic and administrative staff from the University, including the Deanship of Students Affairs and students[11].