Under the patronage of the Dean of the College of Arts at the University of Basrah, Professor Dr. Majid Abdulhamid Al-Kaabi, and under the supervision of Assistant Dean for Scientific Affairs, Professor Dr. Haider Abdulridha, and Assistant Dean for Administrative Affairs, Professor Dr. Mohammed Abd Kadhim, and with the follow-up of Professor Dr. Amal Abdulrahman, Head of the Department of Information and Knowledge Technologies, the specialized training course in integrated information systems has officially commenced.

The course is organized by the Department of Information and Knowledge Technologies at the College of Arts, University of Basrah, in cooperation with the Center for Cataloging and Information Systems at the Al-Abbas Holy Shrine. It aims to develop participants’ skills in using modern library and information management systems, particularly the Koha system and the MARC21 standard.

In this context, Mr. Hassanein Al-Mousawi, Director of the Center for Cataloging and Information Systems at the Al-Abbas Holy Shrine, emphasized that this course comes within the framework of strengthening scientific cooperation with academic institutions. He noted the center’s commitment to transferring practical expertise in the field of modern library management systems. He added that adopting the Koha system and MARC21 standard reflects a move toward embracing global systems and standardized practices, contributing to the development of knowledge infrastructure and enhancing the efficiency of professionals in the information field.

For her part, Professor Dr. Amal Abdulrahman, Head of the Department of Information and Knowledge Technologies, explained that organizing this course aligns with the department’s direction toward supporting the practical aspect and developing the skills of faculty members and staff. She affirmed that cooperation with the Center for Cataloging and Information Systems represents an important step toward exchanging expertise and strengthening integration between scientific institutions.

The course includes both theoretical and practical components, focusing on improving the efficiency of professionals in descriptive and subject cataloging in line with digital transformations in the information environment.

The course also witnessed the participation of a distinguished group of specialized professors from the Al-Abbas Holy Shrine, within the framework of enhancing scientific collaboration, exchanging expertise, advancing professional performance, and adopting the latest technologies in knowledge management.