JEDDAH: Princess Nora Bint Abdulrahman University (PNU) in Riyadh received the SunGard Achievement Award for successfully implementing a milestone IT software project aimed at creating a digital learning environment to transform the institution into a major center of academic excellence. For the first time, thousands of PNU students can search and register for classes by term or date, as well as retrieve relevant data online, while faculty members can easily manage course information, rosters, grading and advise students from remote locations. The new IT system installation is part of the university's commitment to furthering academic success for Saudi women by building a world-class learning and teaching environment. The first phase of the project was deployed to help connect the campus community and facilitate collaboration among students, faculty and staff in a self-service manner. The awarding ceremony held at the PNU was attended by Dr. Zainab Al-Zein, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs; Dr. Munira Al-Abdan, Vice Rector for Studies and Development; Dr. Ferdoas Al-Saleh, Vice Rector for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research; Dr. Waleed Al-Muhawwes, Vice Rector for Financial and Administrative Affairs; Dr. Naila Al-Dehan, Vice Rector for Community Service and Environmental Development; Dr. Osama Abulnaja, Dean of Faculty of Computer and Information Sciences & Chief Information Officer; Dr. Hatem Goodah, IT Manager; Mathew Boice - SunGard Higher Education (SGHE) vice president, EMEA and India; Osama Al-Saif – account manager, GCC; Ralph Azar - business development manager, Middle East; and Osama Al-Ghossein and Emad Hamad from International Turnkey Systems. SunGard Higher Education (SGHE) provides solutions ranging from Administrative - Human Resources that enable the effective management and planning of information campus-wide; Portal and Communications for Educational Support and Administration; Business Intelligence that give an institution the ability to analyze its financial and business process and ensure total efficiency; down to enrolment management and training and support services that would help an institution integrate SGHE solutions into the existing its Platform and at the same time train staff to utilize a SGHE solution effectively.
