MUSCAT -- The International Maritime College Oman (IMCO) recently launched its Basic Process Operations Course (BPOC) -- the first such course by the college -- at its Al Hail Training Centre. A total of 17 Omani students with high diplomas in mechanical engineering from various higher education institutions in the Sultanate, are attending the course in an effort to acquire employable skills. The course is sponsored by Shell Oman in co-operation with IMCO.
"The course imparts practical and theoretical skills related to the operation of petrochemical and chemical plants. IMCO also conducts courses in process technology, process control, chemistry, physics, mathematics, statistical process control, quality management skills, and safety, with on-the-job training on pilot plants", said Alex Boogers, Senior Lecturer, Operational Technology, IMCO. "Since the establishment of IMCO's unique training centre for process, control and automation in Al Hail, the college has dedicated significant efforts to deliver the best expertise in operational technology. It also instills in students knowledge of chemical technology and improves on the skills of experienced process operators and business persons."
The objective of the course is to meet the current and future manpower demands of industries in the Sultanate and to encourage ambitious students to proceed for higher-level studies with the best education and training in chemical technology. The course encourages graduates to be creative Process Operators capable of playing a significant role in development of the nation particularly in the multi-billion dollar petrochemical projects under way at Sohar and planned at Duqm, remarked Boogers. "In addition, students are encouraged to be innovative, analytical and to be independent thinkers as well as adopt a broad based approach to learning rather and focusing on narrow disciplines. This encourages them to be flexible, think creatively and be able to integrate knowledge across various disciplines," he said.
Coursework involves lectures, project work, laboratory activities, e-learning, case studies, field trips and industrial programmes on a pilot plant and encourages students to be innovative, analytical and independent thinkers. Commenting on the course, Abdul Aziz al Balushi, a BPOC student and graduate of mechanical engineering from Sohar University, said he signed up for the programme because of the increased demand for process operators. "Although the course is complex, all that is required of a student is self-confidence and commitment to master the subject. Since I joined the course, I have learnt a lot and improved my communication skills with the assistance of my instructors.
I am also grateful to Shell Oman for sponsoring me for this challenging and attractive course that will enable me to contribute to the socio-economic development of my country." Kadim Abdullah al Kahali, also a graduate in mechanical engineering, lauded the efforts of his instructors and sponsors for offering him such the opportunity to enrol for the course. "We spend more than five hours in study every day with the aim of performing well at the end of the course," he said. Students are also encouraged to actively participate in various teamwork projects tailormade to the precise needs of the operation of petrochemical and chemical plants in a safe and professional manner.
By Maryam Khalfan
© Oman Daily Observer 2006
