THE DHOWMEC received the ISO 9001: 2015 Certification for Campus Services Department, Human Resources Department, Admission Office and Registration Office from Bureau Veritas Certification, UK, on 18th May 2017.

ISO 9001: 2015 Certification

MEC NewsletterMay, June, July & August 2017

A delegation from O. P. Jindal Global University (JGU), India consisting of Dr. Abdul Fattah Ammourah, Professor and Vice Dean, Jindal School of International Affairs and Mr. Mohsin Raza Khan, Assistant Professor and Assistant Dean (Student Initiatives) Assistant Director, Centre for New South Asia, Jindal School of International Affairs visited MEC on 21st May 2017

Dr. Barbara Howell, Associate Dean, International, Coventry University and Ms. Liz Murphy, Associate Dean, Marketing and Recruitment, Coventry University visited MEC on 19th June, 2017.

A delegation led by Prof. Richard Dashwood, Deputy Vice Chancellor – Research from Coventry University, UK visited Middle East College on the 16th August 2017.

Dr. Kiran Gopakumar Rajalekshmi is appointed as the Dean of MEC, effective 14th May 2017. Dr. Kiran has more than 20 years of experience at the national and international level in areas related to higher education management, teaching, research, quality assurance, policy development, social computing, governance reforms, e-governance, and ICT for development.

To quote Dr. Abdullah Saif Ahmed Al Sabahi, Chairman of Middle East College, “As a forward-looking leader, Dr. Kiran has been instrumental in devising specific strategies for enhancing the student learning experience through the institutional adoption of active teaching approaches and has also led the College’s efforts to develop a research portfolio and played a major role in establishing our international academic partnerships.”

Dr. Saleh Al Shaaibi, Associate Dean, External Affairs and Community Outreach, MEC said: “Dr. Kiran has always been a leader, supportive and initiative person since he joined MEC more than 10 years ago. I am very sure that this new step will take MEC forward, towards new achievements, new experience and a better educational role in the Sultanate”.

According to Mohammed Al Hajri, Head of Student’s Advisory Council, “This announcement is for sure a major step that would take MEC forward in all the areas like education and other activities which enhance and develop students’ skills as Dr. Kiran has always been collaborative with MEC students throughout various students’ meetings with the Dean, their achievements, activities and events.”

Dr. Kiran G.R. holds a PhD in Information Systems from the London School of Economics, UK, M. Phil in Applied Economics from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi, Masters in Business Administration from the University of Kerala, and B.Tech in Electronics and Communication Engineering from the College of Engineering, Trivandrum, India.

As Deputy Dean (Academic Affairs) and earlier, as Director (Teaching and Learning) at Middle East College, Dr. Kiran has been part of the College governance bodies and has contributed to the development of two five-year strategic plans. Earlier, he has also served as Head of the Department, Postgraduate Studies and Research and Head of Department, Management Studies at MEC. He has contributed immensely to the development of student learning mechanisms, student activities, entrepreneurial support ecosystems and community outreach activities of the College.

Dr. Kiran G.R. inducted as the new Dean of Middle East College

Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Sultanate of Oman H.E. Ambassador KANG Do-ho, paid an official visit to Middle East College on Wednesday, 2nd August 2017. The ambassador was accompanied by Mr. Seonghun KIM, Third Secretary & Vice Consul, Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Sultanate.

Professor John Latham, Vice-Chancellor and CEO of Coventry University, UK, and Dr. David Pilsbury, Coventry University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International), UK visited Middle East College (MEC) on 16th May 2017 received by Mr. Lefeer Mohammed, Managing Director, MEC.

Four MEC students launched their campus company, ‘8ur6asya’ on Wednesday, 24th May 2017 under the auspices of H.E. Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Sarmi, Undersecretary of Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) and in the presence of Mr. Raphael Parambi, CEO of SME Development Fund, Dr. Abdullah bin Saif bin Ahmed Al Sabahi, Chairman of Middle East College and various other dignitaries. ‘8ur6asya’ is an entrepreneurial venture funded and supported by SME Development Fund and the brains behind the idea are four students Ibrahim Al Dhikhri, Aditya Guruprasad, Maraj Al Balushi & Anurag Surendran who are pursuing their undergraduate programmes in MEC.

MEC participated in the ‘Linking Oman’s Higher Education Institutions with the Public and Private Sectors’ event that was organized by Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) from 7th to 9th May 2017.

Centre for Foundation Studies (CFS) at MEC organized the 1st CFS Research Seminar. The keynote speech was delivered by Dr. Abbas Ali Rezaee, Associate Professor at the University of Tehran, Iran on 17th May 2017.

Department of Records Management and Archival Studies at MEC organized an Archives and Records Management (ARM) Symposium titled ‘Reality and Prospects of ARM Research field in the Sultanate’ on Tuesday, 9th May 2017, at the MEC Student Hub Auditorium, Knowledge Oasis Muscat (KOM). Eminent members from the National Records and Archives Authority, Sultanate of Oman, The Research Council (TRC), Oman, and faculty members from MEC, participated in the symposium. This symposium aimed to evaluate the current outcomes in the field of research in ARM and discuss its prospects in the Sultanate, with the objective of defining different mechanisms and tools to enhance the ARM research field. It focused on academic research, searching and reviewing of Omani historical records, publications in the field of ARM, and regulations, motivations and mechanisms of related research in the Sultanate.

MEC students launch their first campus company, ‘8ur6asya’

MEC participates in ‘Linking Oman’s HEIs with the Public & Private Sectors’

1st CFS Research Seminar at MEC

Archives and Records Management Symposium 2017 at MEC

3rd MEC Student Conference on Applied Information and Communications Technology

MEC organized the 3rd MEC Student Conference on Applied Information and Communications Technology on the 15th May 2017 at MEC Student Hub, Knowledge Oasis Muscat (KOM). The event brought together students and academics from different educational institutions in the Sultanate to explore their research, teaching and learning practices and skills. It aimed to identify and examine the latest research trends and developments in the areas of Communication Technology, Engineering and Business and to enhance research collaboration between staff and students in strengthening teaching and learning practices. The aim of the conference was to provide a platform to showcase student research for fostering and promoting a research culture among the student community.

The Department of Management Studies and the Business Society at MEC organized its 7th Business Meet on 16th May 2017 at the MEC Student Hub, Knowledge Oasis Muscat (KOM). The event was inaugurated by Dr. Anupam Srivastav, Associate Dean Academic Affairs, MEC, and attended by distinguished guests and MEC faculty. Mr. Tom Cyriac, Vice President, Suhail Bahwan Automobiles, was present along with a panel of judges which included Mr. Nasser Al-Foori, CEO, Bahjat Sur Trading and Construction Company, Mr. Jamil Al-Riyami, Head of Procurement and Logistics Sector, Daleel Petroleum, and Mr. Abdullah Maskery, HR Manager, Zawawi Powertech Engineering. More than 80 students from different higher education institutions in the Sultanate participated in various academic competitions in Business, Accounting, Human Resources and Supply Chain Logistics.

MEC organized the 7th Technical Gathering on the 2nd May 2017 at MEC Student Hub, Knowledge Oasis Muscat (KOM). Various undergraduate students participated in the event with different projects in the Technology and Science fields.

7th MEC’s Business Meet

7th Technical Gathering at MEC

Center for Academic Practices at MEC organized the Flipped Learning Symposium 2017 on 23rd May 2017 at MEC Student Hub, Knowledge Oasis Muscat (KOM). The aim of the event was to provide an opportunity for MEC academic departments to share their innovative and best practices in the area of teaching and learning, and especially in flipped learning. The symposium focused on 5 different themes and sub themes in the Flipped Learning area: Active Learning, Technology Enhanced Learning, Innovative pedagogies, Learner autonomy and Community of Learners.

The Health and Safety Unit at MEC organized a blood donation event on the 2nd and 3rd of May, 2017 at MEC Student Hub, Knowledge Oasis Muscat (KOM). The event was organized to raise awareness of the beneficial health effects of blood donation and at the social level, to highlight the importance of blood donation in saving someone’s life with the catchy slogan, ‘Give Blood… Give Life!’.

Mechanical Engineering Department conducted a one-day free workshop on ‘LEGO Education Mindstorms EV3’ Robotics for 30 MEC Students pursuing their studies in Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computing and Electronics. Students participated in a racing competition with the robots that they had built during the workshop.

Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering organized a seminar on ‘Experiences on Successful Entrepreneurs’ on the 8th of May, 2017.

Flipped Learning Symposium 2017 at MEC

‘Give Blood… Give Life!’, a blood donation event at MEC

‘Experiences on Successful Entrepreneurs’ Seminar

Robotics workshop by Mechanical Engineering Department

A workshop on ‘BIM Technology 12D Model’ was organized on 7th May 2017 and presented by Eng/ Makram Aljyba Jy from 12D Company. The workshop aimed to introduce the powerful nD technology for the students to enhance their projects in the areas of Highways, Airports, Ports, Sewer, Water, Railway, Oil & Gas and others.

MEC organized an Iftar Gathering at MEC Student Hub, Knowledge Oasis Muscat (KOM) on Wednesday, 13th June 2017. The event was attended by institutional representatives from various government and private sectors in the Sultanate.

MEC organized a Poster Presentation event for the undergraduate students on 17th May, 2017.

The Admission and Registration process has commenced at MEC for the Fall 2017 intake for the 18 undergraduate programmes and 4 postgraduate programmes offered by MEC in affiliation with Coventry University, UK and University of Wolverhapmton, UK. The admission process will continue until the beginning of October 2017. In addition, MEC has recently introduced an online system (goo.gl/95XeDK) to make the application and registration process easier and more efficient for prospective students.

Computing Department at MEC organized the ‘Mobile Application Development’ workshop on 17th May, 2017. The workshop was presented by Mr. Younis Said Al Anqoudi, Head of Applications Development, Information Communication Technology, Oman Airports Management Company. The workshop aimed to introduce students to programming and to teach them how to develop mobile applications.

3 teams from MEC Entrepreneurs Club participated in the student company exhibition organized by Injaz Oman at Shanjre-La Barr Al Jissah, Muscat in June 2017.

‘BIM Technology 12D Model’ workshop at MEC

MEC organizes the Annual Iftar Gathering

Poster Presentation of UG project students

Admission is open till October 8

Mobile Application Development workshop

MEC Entrepreneurs participate in Injaz Oman Exhibition

Department of Civil Engineering at MEC organized a workshop titled ‘Health & Safety Management: Requirements, Procedures, and Challenges in Civil Projects’ on 25th May, 2017. It was presented by Eng. Harshawardhan Jagan, Head of Engineering Health & Safety, Larsen &Toubro (Oman) LLC.

Middle East College (MEC) has entered into an academic collaboration with NHTV Breda University of Applied Sciences, Netherlands on 1st June 2017 in a ceremony held at its campus. The agreement was signed by Mr. Lefeer Muhamed, Managing Director of Middle East College and Mr. Hein Van Oorschot, President of the Executive Board, NHTV Breda University of Applied Sciences. The partnership allows MEC to offer programmes in Logistics in affiliation with NHTV Breda University of Applied Sciences after completing the mandatory programme approvals required in the Sultanate.

Health & Safety Management workshop

MEC and NHTV Breda ties-up in an academic collaboration

A student delegation consisting of 19 students from Middle East College (MEC) visited Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea as part of the MEC Student Exchange Programme established in collaboration with different educational institutions around the world. The students participated in the Hanyang University Summer School Programme that lasted for 28 days from 3rd July to 31st July, 2017. They attended workshops on many subjects like Accounting, Management and Strategic Planning, Presentation Skills, Journalism Photography, Korean Language and Culture, Designing, Corporate Communications and General Physics to name a few. The programme also included trips to many tourist destinations as well as a visit to the Omani Embassy in Korea.

A student delegation from Middle East College (MEC) returned to Oman after a visit to Coventry University (CU), United Kingdom on the 1st of August 2017. The students participated in the Summer School Programme organized by CU along with other students from different parts of the world. The programme lasted for about two weeks from 15th July to 31st July 2017 and it included many sessions in the English language, British culture and history, creative writing, leadership skills, marketing, programming and others. In addition, the students visited some well-known tourist attractions like London, Liverpool, Black Country Harry Potter Museum and Air Force Museum.

The Art, Culture and Photography Society at MEC organized a Summer Workshops Week at MEC campus from 30th July to 2nd August 2017. About 45 students participated in the workshops presented by the MEC students and photography club members like Abdurrahman Al Adawi, Thuraya Al Sulaimi, Nidhal Al Siyabi and Hanina Al Gufaili.

MEC Students live a new experience at Hanyang University MEC Students participate in Coventry’s Summer School Programme

Summer Workshops Week concludes at MEC

The Civil Engineering Department at MEC organized a Meet and Greet Event on 13th July 2017 at MEC Student Hub, Knowledge Oasis Muscat. The event aimed at bringing together academic and industrial experts to network, exchange ideas, and identify areas for collaboration.

MEC participated in the Educ8te (Higher Education) 2017 exhibition that was held at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre from 18th to 20th July, 2017.

Meet and Greet Event concludes

MEC participates in Educ8te

MEC students win the ‘Best Show Award’ in AFAQ

ITKIT programme concludes at MEC

A workshop on Enhancing Teaching and Learning experience

Nilima Gandhi climbs Mt Everest

Achievement

Students from the Music and Drama Society, MEC, won the ‘Best Show Award’ in the 6th Afaaq Theater Festival (GCC Level). The event was organized by the Higher College of Technology (HCT) during May 2017. This year the competitors for the award comprised seven teams which included those from different higher education institutions in the Sultanate and teams from Qatar and Bahrain. MEC’s entry in the show was titled ‘Abr Al Atheer’ (Over the Air), which is a Kuwaiti show written by Mr. Nassar Al Nassar and directed by Maher Al Harrasi. The event was attended by eminent personalities from the media, actors, actresses and others. The panel of judges included Mr. Imad Al Shanfari from Oman, Mr. Abdullah Malek from Bahrain and Mr. Khalifa Al Hajri from Kuwait.

Middle East College (MEC) and The Information Technology Authority (ITA) celebrated the conclusion of IT Kids Innovation Theatre (IT KIT) Initiative. This initiative was carried out in partnership with other institutions from both public and private sectors in the Sultanate. The closing ceremony was under the auspices of Yaqoob Dor Al Balushi, Deputy CEO of Infrastructure and Electronic Services and also in presence of some eminent people from different institutions and the participating kids’ parents.

Dr. Smitha Nair, a faculty in the Computing Department at MEC, delivered a workshop on the “The use of technology to enhance teaching and learning experience” at Manipal University, India.

Following her dreams to scale the highest peak in the world, Nilima Gandhi, a faculty member at Middle East College (MEC), climbed Mount Everest up to the peak’s southern base camp that is located 5,364 feet above sea level. Gandhi left Muscat in February 2017 to achieve her dream that took her 3 years and several months of waiting and planning. She took about 7 days to climb up to the base camp and 4 days to come down.

The DHOW team

• Aysha Al Wahibi

• Deepali Bhatnagar

• Priya Mathew

• Dr. Radhika Narayanan

• Ritesh Rajendran

• Mohammed Halawa

Insan Company: MEC Entrepreneurs creativity

A group of students from Middle East College (MEC) formed a company called ‘Insan’ (Human) as part of Injaz Oman 2017 Company contest. The student’s company, Insan, produces ‘Ghafwa’ (Nap), which are glasses that can detect drivers’ level of wakefulness through its built-in sensors. Ghafwa alerts the driver to focus on the road by triggering an alarm.