Under the patronage of His Excellency Prof. Hamid M.K. Al Naimiy, Chancellor of the University of Sharjah, the College of Computing and Informatics at the University held the "Computing and Informatics Annual Symposium - CIAS 2020" in its first edition, with the participation of speakers from international companies in the information technology sector, alongside faculty members and students from the various programs in the College. The CIAS featured several general discussion sessions and seminars with the participation of representatives of several sectors such as: the industrial sector, the business sector, the government sector, and academic sector. This came through video platforms in the presence of the Vice Chancellors, members of the Advisory Board of the College of Computing and Informatics, College Deans and Department Heads, faculty members, students and those interested in the field of information technology from different segments of society.

In his opening speech for the CIAS, His Excellency the Chancellor of the University welcomed the participants and attendees, and expressed his happiness for establishing this annual symposium, as well as his happiness and pride in the achievements of the College of Computing and Informatics in the field of scientific research, since it was inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council, Ruler of Sharjah and President of the University of Sharjah. He also expressed his pride in the efforts of the distinguished academic cadre of the College and stressed the necessity of research cooperation between the College of Computing and Informatics and the various colleges of the University. He also commended the research activity of the faculty and students of the College in the field of computing and informatics because of its importance at the present and in the future. At the end of his opening speech, the Chancellor wished that the Symposium would provide recommendations aimed at how to keep pace with the changing future labor market and how to work on developing the current curricula in order to keep pace with the newly created jobs, especially those that will appear after the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Prof. Mohammad S. Obaidat, Dean of the College of Computing and Informatics, also welcomed during his speech the attendees and thanked them for their participation in the CIAS, he then expressed his gratitude to His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, and His Excellency the Chancellor of the University for their continuous and unlimited support of the College of Computing and Informatics since its inception. He then stressed that computing and informatics includes essential fields and systems required for any country that aspires to have a place in the digital and knowledge economy, the fourth industrial revolution, and the fifth industrial revolution. Therefore, the importance of the Symposium comes as it provides a platform for faculty members and students in the College to present the results of their scientific research in addition to exchanging scientific and educational experiences, especially with regard to distance learning and hybrid learning. This in addition to discussing many topics in the areas of computing and informatics.

For his part, the Head of the Scientific Program of the Symposium, Prof. Ashraf Elnagar, affirmed that the objectives of the CIAS are to enhance the scientific research activities of the faculty and students of the College, especially students in their senior year through the presentation of their graduation projects, as well as the presentation of graduate students to their research projects. This with the aim of facilitating their interaction with peers and specialized experts in computing and informatics, exchange ideas and develop future visions to drive innovation in society.

The CIAS' program – which included a coordinating committee consisting of Dr. Mohamed Talal Bonny, Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Engineering, and Dr. Manar Abu Taleb, Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science – featured a seminar entitled "The Role of Technology in a Future Digital Learning Environment" managed by Dr. Iman Akour, with the participation of Mr. Bin Fairburn, the pioneer of the education sector at Cisco International; Mr. Amjad Shahrour, the pioneer of the digital transformation and innovation program at Cisco Emirates; and Dr. Mohammed Lataifeh, Assistant Professor at the College's Department of Computer Science, who has significant contributions in the field of digital learning. This was followed with the first session headed by Prof. Zaher Al Aghbari, Head of the Department of Computer Science at the College, through which students and professors research works were presented. This was followed by the speech of the keynote speaker Mr. Adrian Beckering, Regional Director of Redhat Company in the Middle East and North Africa, moderated by Dr. Amal Al Ali, Assistant Professor at the College. Prof. Ibrahim Kamel, Head of the Department of Computer Engineering, headed the second session through which he completed the presentation of students and professors' research. At the end of the CIAS, the scientific committee of the Symposium presented the concluding observations, then the speakers and participants were honored.