Prince Sultan University (PSU) held the first Institutional Orientation Program on 29 November 2007. The program, coordinated by the Academic Assessment and Planning Center (AAPC) and held in the University Auditorium, was attended by the PSU top level management, faculty members, and administrative personnel.

The primary purpose of the Institutional Orientation Program at PSU was to provide new and continuing faculty members and personnel general information about PSU and to provide a venue for all administrative and academic units to introduce their staff, programs, activities, and services to the PSU community. The program, which supports the key result area (KRA) “Upbeat and Effective Community” of the PSU Strategic Plan of 2006-2010, was also in compliance with the standards for accreditation regarding induction of new faculty members and personnel to the PSU academic and non-academic systems.

The Opening Remarks were given by Dr. Ahmed S. Yamani, PSU rector, followed by an introduction to the orientation program by Dr. Jose P. Catapang, AAPC director.

The half-day affair was highlighted by the presentation of each department’s functions and offices, faculty and staff, departmental programs and services, and on-going and upcoming activities of each department. The presentors for the orientation were:

1. Dr. Ahmed S. Yamani, Rector
2. Dr. Saad Saleh Al-Rwaita, Vice-Rector for Admin. and Financial Affairs
3. Dr. Obaid Saad Al-Abdali, Aide to the Rector (for the Office of the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs)
4. Dr. Abdul-Aziz S. Al-Sehibani, Dean, Admission and Registration
5. Dr. Mohamed Aljabreen Almisher, Dean, College of Business Administration
6. Dr. Eltayeb Abuelyaman, Dean, College of Computer and Information Systems (also the Director of Information Technology and Computing Services)
7. Dr. Mohd. Hanif Akhtar, Chairman, Finance and Accounting Dept.
8. Dr. George Thomas, Chairman, Marketing and Management Dept.
9. Dr. Zafaruddin Ahmed, Associate Dean, College of Business Administration (for the MBA Program)
10. Dr. Mohamed Tounsi, Chairman, Computer Science Dept.
11. Dr. Fukhary Khellah, Chairman, Information Systems Dept.
12. Mr. Peter Gordon, Chairman, Educational Services and Development (also the Director of English Dept.)
13. Mr. Hassan Taher Daoud, Director, OYP Computer Dept.
14. Dr. Aiman S. Mukheimer, Director, Math, Physical Sciences and Psychology Dept.
15. Mr. Jonathan Cagas, Faculty, P.E. Dept. (for the Physical Education Dept.)
16. Dr. Abdulhamid Al-Abduljabbar, Dean, Student Affairs and Community Services
17. Dr. Mohamed El-Affandi, Director, Prince Salman Research and Translation Center
18. Dr. Frank Bruno, Director, Central Library
19. Mr. Aiman Al-Sheikh, Manager, Public Relations
20. Dr. Casey Dakhlallah, Director, International Relations
21. Dr. Jose P. Catapang, Director, Academic Assessment and Planning Center

After the presentations, participants enjoyed a buffet lunch at the newly-renovated PSU Cafeteria.

The presence of almost all top level management and the high attendance rate of the faculty members and administrative personnel was indeed a strong sign of the PSU Community’s commitment to PSU’s vision and mission of providing the Middle East with education programs that meet the highest international standards.

Integrating into the PSU’s culture, this Institutional Orientation Program was said to be conducted every year as part of the University’s calendar.