15 April 2003
MUSCAT — The government’s plans to set up a youth information and career guidance centre is getting due consideration from the quarters concerned, according to Dr Yahya bin Mahfoudh Al Mantheri, minister of higher education.
To a question he told the Times of Oman, that the “work has been done” by the higher council. “The Higher Council has completed the proposal and is now discussing on the issue,” he said.
Sultan Qaboos University is the body, which is looking after the matter in the committee. However no timeframe has been hinted about the launch of this much key aspect in the life of the Omani youth.
Mantheri was talking to reporters after opening of the three-day higher education, technical education and vocational training and job opportunities exhibition here.
Reiterating the need for more universities in Oman to cater to the fast growing young population, he said that the government “has opened the doors for the private sector” to invest in educational sector in Oman.
“We have already given four licences for starting private universities. Only the Sohar University has started functioning. We hope the private universities in Salalah and Nizwa will come up soon,” he said.
According to him, these two universities are in the process of commencing operation. He also said that in Muscat “someone is interested” in setting up a university.
Oman has 18 private colleges besides a university. “I think the private sector is very serious in expanding the number of educational institutions. This is very good for the students as well as the parents.”
When a reporter asked whether Oman has the right kind of universities to provide the right kind of skills, the minister replied that his ministry was trying on that issue. “We are looking at specialised institutions. We have the first medical college. We need institutions of such discipline,” he pointed out.
“We are working with the private sector in respect of giving the right kind of education that the youth would require”, with job opportunities in mind vis-à-vis shaping their future. He called upon the private sector to open up areas, which will go in line with the Oman’s economy and the society. The minister said that the Omani students are encouraged not to take disciplines, which is easy to get in.
About the government scholarships issued to Omani students, the minister said that the pattern of scholarship for students’ study abroad varied. Around 1,500 scholarships are given to students for their study in private colleges in Oman, he added.
Last year at least 10,000 Omanis went abroad for studies. “We have more than 30,000 to 35,000 Omani students studying abroad. These students are granted various types of scholarships,” Mantheri said.
He also asserted that the illiteracy level in the Sultanate was fast depleting. “The literacy rate in Oman is increasing fast. Though we are not the first in the region, we are one among the top three countries in the region,” he claimed.
Earlier, the minister along with Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Mattar Al Azizi, civil service minister, who inaugurated the exhibitions, toured the items on display. The organisers, OITE, has made good efforts in roping in key educational and training providers from across the globe to take part in the exhibitions.
In the current social scenario of Oman, the three exhibitions can assume much importance with regard to education, training and job opportunities. As the young nation looks up to the future with great expectations, the contents of the three-in-one exhibition — the Ghedex, Trainex and Jobex — is not one to sneeze at.
The UK has the highest number of representation in the Ghedex, the higher education exhibition. Some 19 institutions of higher education, including 12 leading universities have taken part in the fair.
Hosts Oman have 15 institutions represented while Australia and Malaysia (5 each), Turkey (3), Canada (2), Bahrain, the UAE and Germany (one each) are also participating in the fair. Chennai-based Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Centre (a deemed university) and the Meenakshi Ammal Dental College are among the four key institutions that have take part in the Ghedex. Sri Ramachandra Medical College is one of the acclaimed institutions of south India. The college is taking part in the fair for the first time.
The Meenakshi Ammal Dental College is also a new comer to the exhibition. The college owned by Meenakshi Ammal Trust has 17 colleges including one medical college, one dental college, one nursing college and three engineering colleges. In the Trainex, Oman has its leading training institutes including the Institute of Banking and Financial Studies, Ministry of Manpower and other private institutions. Australia, the UK and India are the other countries taking part in the Trainex.
In the first time introduced Jobex, key players of the Oman economy, including the Ministry of Manpower, Oman Air and Oman Line, have taken part. The Oman Line, the first commercial call centre company of Oman, is planning to move into the Knowledge Oasis, as it aims to offer more IT-based training and opportunities.
MUSCAT — The government’s plans to set up a youth information and career guidance centre is getting due consideration from the quarters concerned, according to Dr Yahya bin Mahfoudh Al Mantheri, minister of higher education.
To a question he told the Times of Oman, that the “work has been done” by the higher council. “The Higher Council has completed the proposal and is now discussing on the issue,” he said.
Sultan Qaboos University is the body, which is looking after the matter in the committee. However no timeframe has been hinted about the launch of this much key aspect in the life of the Omani youth.
Mantheri was talking to reporters after opening of the three-day higher education, technical education and vocational training and job opportunities exhibition here.
Reiterating the need for more universities in Oman to cater to the fast growing young population, he said that the government “has opened the doors for the private sector” to invest in educational sector in Oman.
“We have already given four licences for starting private universities. Only the Sohar University has started functioning. We hope the private universities in Salalah and Nizwa will come up soon,” he said.
According to him, these two universities are in the process of commencing operation. He also said that in Muscat “someone is interested” in setting up a university.
Oman has 18 private colleges besides a university. “I think the private sector is very serious in expanding the number of educational institutions. This is very good for the students as well as the parents.”
When a reporter asked whether Oman has the right kind of universities to provide the right kind of skills, the minister replied that his ministry was trying on that issue. “We are looking at specialised institutions. We have the first medical college. We need institutions of such discipline,” he pointed out.
“We are working with the private sector in respect of giving the right kind of education that the youth would require”, with job opportunities in mind vis-à-vis shaping their future. He called upon the private sector to open up areas, which will go in line with the Oman’s economy and the society. The minister said that the Omani students are encouraged not to take disciplines, which is easy to get in.
About the government scholarships issued to Omani students, the minister said that the pattern of scholarship for students’ study abroad varied. Around 1,500 scholarships are given to students for their study in private colleges in Oman, he added.
Last year at least 10,000 Omanis went abroad for studies. “We have more than 30,000 to 35,000 Omani students studying abroad. These students are granted various types of scholarships,” Mantheri said.
He also asserted that the illiteracy level in the Sultanate was fast depleting. “The literacy rate in Oman is increasing fast. Though we are not the first in the region, we are one among the top three countries in the region,” he claimed.
Earlier, the minister along with Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Mattar Al Azizi, civil service minister, who inaugurated the exhibitions, toured the items on display. The organisers, OITE, has made good efforts in roping in key educational and training providers from across the globe to take part in the exhibitions.
In the current social scenario of Oman, the three exhibitions can assume much importance with regard to education, training and job opportunities. As the young nation looks up to the future with great expectations, the contents of the three-in-one exhibition — the Ghedex, Trainex and Jobex — is not one to sneeze at.
The UK has the highest number of representation in the Ghedex, the higher education exhibition. Some 19 institutions of higher education, including 12 leading universities have taken part in the fair.
Hosts Oman have 15 institutions represented while Australia and Malaysia (5 each), Turkey (3), Canada (2), Bahrain, the UAE and Germany (one each) are also participating in the fair. Chennai-based Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Centre (a deemed university) and the Meenakshi Ammal Dental College are among the four key institutions that have take part in the Ghedex. Sri Ramachandra Medical College is one of the acclaimed institutions of south India. The college is taking part in the fair for the first time.
The Meenakshi Ammal Dental College is also a new comer to the exhibition. The college owned by Meenakshi Ammal Trust has 17 colleges including one medical college, one dental college, one nursing college and three engineering colleges. In the Trainex, Oman has its leading training institutes including the Institute of Banking and Financial Studies, Ministry of Manpower and other private institutions. Australia, the UK and India are the other countries taking part in the Trainex.
In the first time introduced Jobex, key players of the Oman economy, including the Ministry of Manpower, Oman Air and Oman Line, have taken part. The Oman Line, the first commercial call centre company of Oman, is planning to move into the Knowledge Oasis, as it aims to offer more IT-based training and opportunities.
By John Lopez
© Times of Oman 2003
