The issue of educational development is of growing international interest. It has also become of increasing concern to different sectors of society and is not only limited to the small number of specialists and professionals involved.
New ideas have recently emerged, causing current educational systems to be no longer adequate to prepare the new generations for their new world. Meeting this kind of educational challenge and suggesting solutions for the present educational problems should take priority over other problems—whether economic, social, or political. Hence, improving and developing educational systems should be given the administration’s full attention.
Therefore, to cope with the evolution in the field of Computing and Information Technology and the increasing reliance on it by individuals, organizations, and businesses, this modern science has become crucial and a cornerstone in all modern life aspects. Therefore, AASTMT has established the College of Computing and Information Technology (CCIT) in 2002, which specializes in Computer Science, Information Systems, Software Engineering, and Multimedia and Computer Graphics. Furthermore, a new program was added which is the Cyber Security to cope with the new technology in telecommunications. However, the roots of the college extend back to 2001, when the Computer Science Department started to offer its program through the Computer Engineering Department as part of the College of Engineering and Technology, AASTMT.
The CCIT aims to develop a generation of computing professionals that could harness innovation with creativity through state-of-the-art facilities, top-notch faculty, internationally accredited educational programs, training opportunities, and capacity-building programs. Our students are inspired to formulate innovative diverse computing solutions for real-world problems to become the next generation of entrepreneurs or be well-qualified to secure competitive local, regional, and global computing career opportunities.
Since its establishment, the CCIT maintains sound relationships with a number of Universities in the USA, UK, and Egypt for joint cooperation in both undergraduate studies and supervision of postgraduate studies and research work. Moreover, CCIT has built a number of beneficial relationships with several specialized governmental and private companies in the Egyptian market, to tackle the emerging trends in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry.
CCIT offers opportunities for further career development through a diverse range of postgraduate studies including diploma, Master of Computing, Master of Science, and Ph.D. programs.
CCIT in Cairo is located in the Heliopolis district, one of the most prestigious areas in Cairo, as a part of AAST’s main campus in Cairo. The campus is developed to provide a contemporary and metropolitan feeling to enhance both the academic and non-academic experience; it is completely self-contained with transportation, medical care, dorms, banking, and other facilities on site.
The College provides different programs which are:
1. Computer Science
Computer science is developed to be the systematic study of computing systems and computation. The body of knowledge resulting from this discipline contains theories for understanding computer systems and methods; design methods, algorithms, tools, methods for testing of concepts, methods of analysis and verification, and knowledge representation and implementation. Moreover, it goes all the way to cutting-edge developments in robotics, computer vision, intelligent systems, bioinformatics, and other exciting areas.
Computer science spans the range from theory to programming. Computer science offers a comprehensive foundation that permits graduates to adapt to new technologies and new ideas.
2. Information Systems
Information systems specialists focus on integrating information technology solutions and business processes to meet the information needs of businesses and other enterprises, enabling them to achieve their objectives in an effective and efficient way. This discipline’s perspective on information technology emphasizes information and views technology as an instrument for generating, processing, and distributing information. Professionals in the discipline are primarily concerned with the information that computer systems can provide to aid an enterprise in defining and achieving its goals, and the processes that an enterprise can implement or improve using information technology. They must understand both technical and organizational factors, and they must be able to help an organization determine how information and technology-enabled business processes can provide a competitive advantage.
The information systems specialist plays a key role in determining the requirements for an organization’s information systems and is active in their specification, design, and implementation. As a result, such professionals require a sound understanding of organizational principles and practices so that they can serve as an effective bridge between the technical and management communities within an organization, enabling them to work in harmony to ensure that the organization has the information and the systems it needs to support its operations. Information systems professionals are also involved in designing technology-based organizational communication and collaboration systems.
3. Software Engineering
Software engineering is the application of a systematic, disciplined, quantifiable approach to the development, operation, and maintenance of software; that is, the application of engineering to software. Therefore, developing and maintaining reliable and efficient software systems is the primary concern to software engineering professionals. Software systems should be affordable to develop, maintain and satisfy all the requirements that are defined by customers. More recently, it has evolved in response to factors such as the growing impact of large and expensive software systems in a wide range of situations and the increased importance of software in safety-critical applications. Software engineering is different in character from other engineering disciplines due to both the intangible nature of software and the discontinuous nature of software operation. It seeks to integrate the principles of mathematics and computer science with the engineering practices developed for tangible, physical artifacts.
Degree programs in computer science and in software engineering have many courses in common. Software engineering students learn more about software reliability and maintenance and focus more on techniques for developing and maintaining software that is correct from its inception. SE students learn how to assess customer needs and develop usable software that meets those needs. Knowing how to provide genuinely useful and usable software is of paramount importance.
4. Computer Graphics and Multimedia
The technologies of multimedia and computer graphics have pervaded most of the activities of business, communication, and education. Multimedia enhances conveying information for users and helps users share their content in an interactive and efficient way. Multimedia is used in entertainment, advertisements, art, engineering fields, medicine, education, industry, business, and scientific research. Consequently, the need for a skilled and highly trained workforce is of vital importance.
This program aims to produce graduates with a balanced mix of technical and artistic skills required for careers within the visual effects, computer animation, computer gaming and multimedia production industries. It is designed with an emphasis on practical work including the use of industry-standard software for creating multimedia products and computer games.
The Computer Games Industry is an exciting field, currently outselling the film industry worldwide. This is accomplished as game programming combines cutting-edge graphics, effects, the latest hardware, and artistic constraints which requires the developer to have strong programming skills with various tools and programming environments. The process of computer game development itself is innovative and exciting from a technological and creative perspective, providing career opportunities for imaginative, logical, and energetic students. Graduates will have the satisfaction of seeing their work being enjoyed by a global audience. Students will be taught Computer Science with special emphasis on topics relevant to game design such as computer graphics, artificial intelligence, digital video, and audio fundamentals.
Graduates can be expected to become specialists with future-focused education and skills. There is a strong job market and exciting opportunities for professional development. The program gives the graduates a strong competitive edge and professional quality experiences needed for their success in this exciting field.
Possible careers with this degree include Video game designer, Web designer, Game engine programmer, Special effects programmer, Multiplayer gaming networking specialist, Video game programmer, Computer software programmer, Graphics designer, multimedia designer, and production specialist.
5. CyberSecurity
Organizations must increasingly limit the risk to information and data. They must hire their employees to identify, mitigate and address the threats to their cyber infrastructure. These employees must be cybersecurity professionals in order to be able to deal with various threats related to information and data. Therefore, this program aims to enhance the student’s knowledge of how to use network architecture, software, and other technologies to protect organizations and individuals from cyber attacks. Moreover, preventing or mitigating harm to, or destruction of, computer networks, applications, devices, and data.
This program is oriented to providing the students with the latest technology in Cyber Security. The program enables the students not only to deploy cutting-edge tools and techniques but to build the next generation of software tools that others will use. The program is characterized by a well-integrated balance of theoretical underpinnings and practical experience in the field of Cyber Security.
