As part of its ongoing efforts to enhance its educational programs and align them more closely with the evolving requirements of the labor market, and in line with the recommendations of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), CIS College held the first meeting of its Program Advisory Committee (PAC) dedicated to reviewing and developing the curricula of its Information Technology and Programming programs.
The meeting brought together members of the Advisory Committee, Nazmi Khalaf, Fadi Chawaa, Dr. Zahi El Zoghbi, and Tarek El Basha, alongside the CIS College team responsible for curriculum development.
The meeting focused on reviewing the existing curricula and assessing them against current labor market requirements and emerging trends in the technology sector. It also provided an opportunity to draw on the expertise of committee members to assess the extent to which the educational programs are preparing students for future career pathways.
Following a review of the curricula and the developments introduced by CIS College, the committee confirmed that the programs demonstrate a good level of alignment with labor market requirements and international standards. Its recommendations focused on additional steps to further strengthen the Student Profile and expand students’ practical and personal experience throughout their studies.
Key recommendations included increasing opportunities for additional hands-on projects and enhancing capstone projects, allowing students to apply their knowledge and skills through comprehensive, real-world projects. The committee also emphasized the importance of placing greater focus on Soft Skills and Life Skills, which have become essential components of today’s workplace requirements.
The committee also discussed the importance of providing students with opportunities to obtain International Certifications relevant to their areas of specialization. Such certifications can strengthen their qualifications and provide added value as they transition into the labor market.
At the educational level, the committee recommended continuing to invest in the professional development of instructors and equipping them with more advanced and interactive teaching methods. This would help keep pace with modern developments in education and contribute to a more practical and effective learning experience for students.
The establishment of the Program Advisory Committee reflects CIS College’s commitment to directly engaging experts and professionals from the labor market in the development of vocational education curricula. Their expertise will help ensure that the College’s educational programs remain aligned with ongoing professional and technological developments.
The meeting dedicated to the Information Technology and Programming programs marks the first step in this initiative. The Program Advisory Committee model will subsequently be extended to other specializations at CIS College, as part of an ongoing process of evaluating and developing educational programs and strengthening students’ readiness to meet the evolving requirements of the labor market.
