College in key tie-up

A record numbers of students have submitted their applications as the Bahrain Polytechnic announced it is to become an academy for one of the world's leading IT programmes.

Negotiations have been completed between Microsoft IT Academy and the polytechnic for which membership notification is only weeks away.

This will bring numerous benefits for both staff and students including quality instructors to help students reach their academic and career potential, a world-class curriculum and access to rich online learning resources, all of which will help IT students attain the results and skills they need to become successful professionals.

The polytechnic currently has 435 students and, as of Sunday, more than 1,300 more had applied to study there of whom between 500 and 600 will be accepted for the first semester of the next academic year starting in September. Further applications are expected by the closing date of June 18 and selection testing in maths and English has already begun.

Of those applying, more than half are female, 82 per cent are current high school students who will graduate this month and the rest have graduated within the last four years.

The polytechnic recently held an information evening for students and staff at which they could tour the campus and receive information on the courses available.

The new tie-up with Microsoft IT Academy, along with the e-learning programme from the Cisco Academy, is putting Bahrain Polytechnic at the leading edge of training in Bahrain with management saying they hope to become the preferred training provider for the country's IT industry and school leavers seeking a career in IT.