King Saud University (KSU) inked a contract with a technical company to supply; install; and maintain the eRegister; an integrated academic array for the IT department. Thru the array, the university could erun its academic data, using the most sophisticated techniques, said Dr. Abdullah Al-Salman, Dean of Admission Deanship, in an interview with Resalah newspaper.

Resalah: What are the objectives of the new array?

Al-Salman: It offers integrated solutions to support King Saud University mission summed up in "achieving a high-quality education environment". Also, it aims at being excellent in presenting services; doing without the paperwork environment; imparting knowledge to those working in academic departments; and offering services of etransferring all past data.

Resalah: Why have you selected this company, in particular?

Al-Salman: A technical team was forged and reached the conclusion that e.Register would offer the tools that KSU might need in a quite safe, easy, trustworthy, developing environment. It supports Arabic; applies the Hegira calendar; offers services to 50 universities abroad and some university in the kingdom; and is in line with the higher education policies and procedures.

Resalah: What are systems of the new array?

Al-Salman: The array comprises a number of supporting systems, of which academic affairs department; admission department; registration; academic follow-up; postgraduate studies; training programs; clinics; safety and security department; portal; and others.

Resalah: The eRegister was applied at the community college in Riyadh… Why?

Al-Salman: The community college was selected by the consulting committee thanks to the variety of majors and programs it offers; its plans are not interlinked with other colleges'; and it is out of the University City.

Resalah: Have you started training courses for the members of staff at admission deanship?

Al-Salman: Training is important and serves the academic array since the admission deanship is the body in charge of transferring the culture of new array. The figure of trainees now is 100: 60 guys and 40 girls at well-equipped units.

Resalah: When shall the eRegister system be applied?

Al-Salman: We are looking forward to apply the new system by the beginning of the coming academic year 2008-09.