IT in the middle east: an overview

ABSTRACT

The field of Information Technology has grown rapidly since the World-Wide Web dramatically expanded applications of the Internet in the mid-90s. While the United States has taken a leading role in defining the IT curriculum and accreditation standards, there is much work on the international scale in IT programs around the world.This paper will provide an overview of IT in the Middle East, focusing primarily on the Gulf cooperation council (GCC) countries - Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Topics covered include the institutions offering IT programs, the curriculum covered, the status of the IT industry, IT accreditation, and the IT work force. This information will be set in a cultural background that will help readers understand the developments and the challenges.

REFERENCES

• 1: Economist Intelligence Unit e-readiness rankings 2005 report retrieved April 28 from http://graphics.eiu.com/files/ad_pdfs/2005Ereadiness_Ranking_WP.pdf
• 2: Internet usage statistics from Internet World Stats retrieved May 2, 2006 from http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats.htm
• 3: Peter J. Denning. Ravi Athale. Nada Dabbagh. Daniel Menascé. Jeff Offutt. Mark Pullen. Steve Ruth (1999), A Model IT Curriculum for the UAE University, retrieved March 10, 2004 from www.cne.gmu.edu/pjd/UAE/overview.pdf
• 4: UNDESA report: Global e-Government Readiness Report 2005 - From e-Government to e-Inclusion. retrieved May 3, 2006 from http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/un/unpan021888.pdf
• 5: World Economic Forum fifth Global Information Technology Report 2005-2006. retrieved April 30 from www.weforum.org/pdf/Global_Competitiveness_ Reports/Reports/gitr_2006/rankings.pdf

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  K. Computing Milieux
  K.3 COMPUTERS AND EDUCATION
      K.3.2 Computer and Information Science Education

General Terms:
Management

Keywords:
GCC region, IT industry, IT programs, IT status, curriculum, information technology education, middle east