Manama, 21st January 2009: Ahlia University, the leading private university in the Kingdom of Bahrain, recently celebrated the graduation of its first Ph.D. student within Ahlia - Brunel Ph.D. Without  Residence (WR) programme.

Ms. Farzana Abdulla Maraghi, a lecturer at the University of Bahrain has successfully earned her Ph.D. degree under the school of Information Systems, Computing and Mathematics,  after 3 years of continuous research and study under the supervision of Dr. Kailash Madan, professor of Mathematics and Statistics and Dean of College of Information Technology at Ahlia University.

The celebration was held in a special ceremony, under the patronage of Professor Abdulla Al Hawaj, President of Ahlia University. The ceremony, which was organized to mark this event, was attended by Professor Wajeeh Elali, Dean of Graduate Studies and Research, Dr. Farazana and members of her family, Professor Zahir Irani, Head of Brunel Business School, Professor Kailash Madan, members of Ahlia academic and administrative staff and Dr. Farzana's fellow Ph.D. students.

Professor Al Hawaj expressed his happiness to witness this remarkable achievement by a Bahraini researcher. He said that Dr. Farzana has made an outstanding delivery of her Ph.D. credentials and left highly positive  impression about the quality of our students on her examiners at Brunel University.   He revealed that the examination committee awarded her the degree with no corrections or amendments in her thesis . Professor Abdulla said that he and fellow founders of Ahlia University as well as all the academic and administrative staff  were proud to see the first of our students successfully completing the requirements of Ph..D, degree. Dr. Al Hawaj congratulated Dr. Farzana and extended Ahlia University's best wishes for prosperity and success.

On her part, Dr. Farzana said that she enjoyed the academic experience she gained during the three years of her study. She added that the Ahlia - Brunel Ph.D. Without Residence programme offered her the opportunity to do her Ph.D. locally with a well-established and internationally reputed university. "After earning my Master's degree, I kept dreaming of doing my postgraduate studies, but I wasn't able to spend three years abroad away from my work and family commitments. Moreover, I was always convinced that I should do it as a full time student. This was impossible until Ahlia and Brunel launched the Ph.D. program without residence,".

Dr. Farazana  joined the School of Information Systems, Computing, and Mathematics, of Brunel University as a research student. "After 3 years of excitement and experience and knowledge enrichment, I went to Brunel last summer for my Viva Voce examination which was successful," she said.

Professor Kailash Madan said that supervising Dr. Farzana during the past three years was an enjoyable experience. "I can say that it was a wonderful experience for the three of us; myself, my counterpart at Brunel, Prof. Kenneth Darby-Dowman and my student Ms. Farzana Maraghi," he said adding that the coordination between the supervisors at Ahlia and  Brunel is working very well for the benefit of the students.  "The frequent visits of the Brunel staff to Ahlia University Campus are an added advantage for our students. The students definitely benefit from the regular monitoring process, seminars and lectures arranged by Brunel at our campus," Professor Madan said.

-Ends-

About Ph.D. Programme ( WR)
In conjunction with Brunel University (West London) of the UK,  Ahlia University offers a Brunel Ph.D programme called "Ph.D  Without Residence". The 3-year Programme is fully accredited by the UK government regulations and is recognized as equivalent to a degree provided on campus.  On successful completion of the programme the certification will be issued by Brunel University.

Brunel Business School's PhD programmes are also accredited by the European Doctoral Programmes Association in Management and Business Administration (EDAMBA), a prestigious organization that helps its member schools to increase the quality of their PhD programmes, as well as to create an environment of excellence with a European perspective, all the while pursuing diversity.

The School of Information Systems, Computing, and Mathematics, at Brunel University has one of the largest departments of information systems and computing in Europe.

Key Features of the Programme: 

• The result of a collaboration between Ahlia University in Bahrain and Brunel Business School, part of Brunel University, a world renowned research-led university in the UK.

• Unrivalled opportunity of a Ph.D. from a prestigious UK university without the need to leave home.

• Exceptional chance to work alongside top business and management researchers.

• Full support and excellent facilities provided by Ahlia University.

ISSUED BY AHLIA UNIVERSITY ON
For more information please contact:
Ali Sahwan
Director, Public Relations & Media
Al Ahlia University
Tel: +97 17 313501
Fax: +973 17 291773
e-mail: sahwan@ahliauniversity.edu.bh

© Press Release 2009