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[nomad soul]

New Muscat University to open doors in 2016
Universities News | April 29, 2014
Source: http://www.universitiesnews.com/2014/04/29/new-muscat-university-to-open-doors-in-2016/

A new innovative and entrepreneurial university is to be established in Muscat, Oman, by a group of prominent Omani business leaders. Muscat University has been conceived as a private, not-for-profit institution and has appointed Isis Innovation Ltd, the University of Oxford’s wholly owned technology transfer company, as lead consultant for the project.

The aim of Muscat University is to generate graduates who have the aptitude and skillset needed to assist the growth of the private sector. The curriculum will be designed with the requirements of the private sector as a central focus and is expected, in the long-term, to show a positive influence on the growth of employment opportunities within the Sultanate.

Commenting on the appointment of Isis Innovation, Dr Juma bin Ali al Juma, Chairman, Founders’ Committee, said, “The vision for Muscat University is to create a centre of excellence, where academic achievement directly contributes to the development of an entrepreneurial culture in Oman and a positive force for the expansion of the private sector. We believe that these foundations will enable the University to ensure that the next generation of Omani youth is academically equipped to face the challenges of the future. We look forward to working with Isis Innovation who are global leaders in the fields of technology commercialisation and entrepreneurship education and who will help us to support the academic vision we have set out.”

The structures, facilities and staffing of the new university are being planned with a view to accepting the first Foundation Programmes students in September 2016, with the first intake of undergraduate students to follow in September 2017. Muscat University is being steered by a Founders’ Committee which comprises stakeholders and active members with experience in this field who are aiming to establish Muscat University as the leading university in the region, with the highest standards of teaching and research.

As lead consultant, Isis Innovation will develop the framework of the University, advise on positioning in the regional context, and develop an implementation plan for academic programmes, research and innovation, together with an extensive knowledge transfer programme. Additionally, Isis will guide the implementation of the overall project plan, with project delivery, running in parallel with construction of the all new campus, forecast to take approximately three years.

Tom Hockaday, Managing Director of Isis Innovation, the Isis representative on the Project Advisory Board for Muscat University, said: “Isis is delighted to participate in such a major role for this project. The metrics for success include the establishment by Muscat University of strong business links and of spin-off companies, both areas in which we have extensive experience.”

A Founders Committee has been established that includes senior international academics, university administrators from prestigious institutions including the University of Oxford and other leaders in innovation, and business leaders from Oman representing the shareholders of Muscat University.

(End of article)

[Sleepwalker]

There were interviews last week for the administrative posts so they're starting now.

[madrileno]

So is this place up and running yet, or no?

[Dr X]

"Muscat University, Oman’s newest higher education institution, will open its doors to first students for Pathway Programmes (Foundation and Pre-Master’s) on September 25, 2016. The announcement was made at a press conference chaired by Khalil bin Abdullah al Konji, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Muscat University, on Monday. Muscat University announced formal affiliation agreements with three international academic partners: two of the UK’s leading universities, Cranfield University and Aston University.

With the help of flying faculty, Cranfield University and Aston University will co-deliver degree programmes with Muscat University from September 2017; pathway programmes leading to these degree programmes will commence this September through an academic affiliation agreement with MLS International College of Bournemouth, UK. From 2017, the university will provide undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes through its Faculties of Business and Management, Engineering and Technology, and Transport and Logistics. Muscat University has now been granted a licence to operate as a university by the Education Council, the supreme education body of the Omani government. TURN TO P2"
http://omanobserver.om/muscat-university-admissions-in-september/

[Tazz]

'Cranfield'....leading UK University...?! Never heard of it...

[Dr X]

[Sleepwalker]

Not in the university rankings and only does pg qualifications in the UK but rated by Forbes, the Economist, Financial Times and Bloomberg for management courses.

Will be interesting to see if they take the GU Tech approach or water down.

Their foundation has started with a few students this year.

[madrileno]

Regardless, new colleges/universities are best avoided due to the inevitable chaos and "hiccups" they encounter.

Now that we know it's up and running, hopefully we'll hear from someone with first hand experience about how this place is.

[svenhassel]

New universities might be the best time to sign up. Danger and chaos usually lies in the cronyism which can occur when people become entrenched in positions after a few years.

Would appreciate the heads up on any notifications of vacancies...

[veiledsentiments]

Give me a bit of cronyism over the utter chaos of new educational institutions... the lack of equipment... and texts... and syllabus... and an HR that can't figure out how to actually pay people... and no one who knows how to make a schedule... (and not assign two or more classes to the same room at the same time which doesn't yet have any desks)... and no one can figure out how to make any of the tech systems work. The internet will be working soon insha'Allah...

I joined SQU in its third year and the fourth year, Admin forgot to order the Language Center textbooks and it wasn't caught until just before teachers and students were to arrive. Since I had done the summer repeaters class for the extra pay and was there, I also ended up organizing the print shop to print copies. (copyrights? who needs 'em) Ah the good old days. From then on I wisely avoided all institutions less than 5 years old.

VS

[Whatever will be]

An Omani educational institution established 30 years ago:
* New textbooks arrived in week 4 of the semester as Admin ordered too late (forward planning is a rare skill in the Gulf)
* A new curriculm was issued for the first fortnight at the end of the first teaching week, further "delivery plans" arrived via email with the same time delay, making Implementation impossible
* Some lofty "learning skills" were not covered by the textbook and the teachers were asked ti produce their own materials for it The orderc was given during the week in which the skills were to be taught, leaving zero preparation time.
* Half way through the Semester, it was discovered that essay skills (not just paragraph writing) should have been taught as the former (and not the latter) will be on the final exams
* Staff apartments were converted to offices, with teachers working in former bedrooms and giving academic advising in the kitchen. Staff recreational areas (common rooms) were Non-existent.
*Internet failure of the ancient desktops had to be reported to the IT department online. If your colleague's machines didn't work either, the library was the next option.
* Annoucnements that classes were to be cancelled as staff had to help with exams in another program arrived two days prior, making it often impossible to inform students in time. They would drive to campus in vain and unload their frustration on the teachers.
*Entry exams were scheduled in rooms without furniture, as the chairs and tables were removed and used for enrolment activities in the foyer
*Air condition units were not maintained and frequently not working. Repairs were always scheduled first for classrooms for teachers with "wasta"
I could go on but I think its enough to make the point that even long existing educational institutions experience the same disfunction. Lack of organisation, planning and co-ordination are rampant regardless of how "new" or "old" the building is as the utter mess is caused by what's n people's heads.

[Whatever will be]

Seems to me it's a choice between the pest and the cholera

[veiledsentiments]

In 1986 (30 years ago) the only tertiary institution in Oman was SQU and none of that describes it today. But then, Whatever seems to have issues and problems that few others seem to encounter.

One does wonder why someone with such extreme hatred for a country, its culture, its educational institutions, and its people stays...

VS

[Whatever will be]

Well, I looked up the date on Wikipedia to be sure.
So, VS knows better than Wikipedia.

The truth is the truth. These things have happened.

Dave's little helpers (e.g. the Moderators, VS...) are downplaying issues, blocking or removing comments that don't fit their view of the world, which is stuck in the 1980's when they last taught.

[veiledsentiments]

Seriously? Wikipedia?

Nobody is blocking you. This branch is still filled with your repetitious negativity about Oman and Omanis.

Meanwhile over on the Saudi board, we have complainers that the long time teachers are too negative. LOL

VS