Introduction

The College of Computer and Information Sciences (CCIS) was founded in response to the need for computer specialists by the Royal Decree No. 7/1558/M, dated 10/05/1404 A.H.

The college has five scientific departments offering Bachelor of Science degrees: Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Systems , Software Engineering and Information Technology for females’ students. Besides, the college offers three Master of Science in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, and Information Systems. Today the number of graduates from the Master programs are over 153 students. The college has 64 academic staff, most of whom provide many professional and consulting services of diverse computer technology areas for various governmental, public and private sectors. In the recent decades, the world witness tremendous developments in information technology, computer science, and information and knowledge systems. The reliability aspects of contemporary life and quality of life on many of these technologies has led to the increasing demands for specialized cadre that combines high expertise in computer science computer engineering, and information systems, to work in research and development centers at universities, research centers such as King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology, etc. In addition, there is an increasing demand for computer graduates, males and females, to work as academic staff in the expanding computer departments in new public and private universities.

Furthermore, it became scientifically important to raise the scientific and technology level of Saudi leaderships and decision makers in the information technology fields. This can be achieved through university graduate programs. The Kingdom’s Information Technology National Plan (2) shows that  there is a fast growing demand in the next decade for cadre in advanced scientific and professional areas of computers and communication technologies. The study proposed number of recommendations to address the high shortage level of specialized cadres in information technology. The most important of which is to increase the recourses of the information technology departments, the expansion in postgraduate programs to qualify Saudi teaching staff and academic faculty. Another important recommendation is to facilitate the attraction of distinguished scholars and scientists in information technology in order to transfer of expertises and learning from the international experiences.

From these standpoints, a graduate joint Ph.D. program between 3 departments of the college is proposed herewith  to contribute to provide graduate studies and advanced research in the fields of computer science, computer engineering and information systems. This will contribute in creating qualified researchers and faculty members in the area of computer and information sciences.