The Intelligent Information Systems focuses on the integration of artificial intelligence, intelligent systems and technologies, database technologies and information systems methodologies to create the next generation information systems – Intelligent Information Systems (IIS). These new type of information systems embody knowledge that allows them to exhibit intelligent behavior. This enables them to cooperate with users and other systems in tasks such as problem solving and retrieval and manipulation of a large variety of multimedia information and knowledge. These systems perform tasks such as knowledge-directed inference to discover knowledge from very large data collections and provide cooperative support to users in complex data analysis. IIS are also concerned with searching, accessing, retrieving, storing and treating large collections of multimedia information and knowledge and also integrating information and knowledge from multiple heterogeneous sources.

As the future of our society in UAE and the Arab world is threatened by the new technologies, the Intelligent information Systems and Applications research group (IISA) is crucial to provide the appropriate tools for information management that is needed for the decision makers in different institutions.

The IISA research group focuses on developing the theory and tools needed to address information management and processing issues as pursued by our community. The IISA research group will work closely with private and government entities to:

• Empower the community sharing in the design process and applications, expressing the decision makers demands for intelligent systems.

• Support environment and health ministries as well as government authorities and organizations in Sharjah and other Emirates through joint projects that enhance the efficient decision making process in different applications.

• Participate actively in professional societies at national, regional and international levels.

• Develop and offer educational programs that include workshops, seminars, conferences, distinguished lectures series, and professional certifications for skilled technicians, engineers, professionals, policy makers, and managers on information systems and data management issues.

• Serve as a public gateway to high quality education and information on data management, information system design, and smart applications for environment research and development.

The main deliverables of the IISA research group can be summarized as follows:

• • Establish a multi-disciplinary research group working with renowned expertise on specific areas of interest to United Arab Emirates and the MENA region.

  • Produce technical reports for industrial and governmental consultations.

  • Produce prototype models out of the use of intelligent information systems in industry.

  • Create educational materials for public awareness and community involvement.

  • Produce journal articles and conferences papers.

  • Produce training material, and hold training sessions.

  • Organize and participate in international conferences, workshops and experts meetings.

  • Produce an annual report on the research group activities.

  • Maintain an active website for public outreach.