THE DHOW May, June, July MEC Newsletter & August 2017

ISO 9001: 2015 Certification MEC received the ISO 9001: 2015 Certification for Campus Services Department, Human Resources Dr. Kiran G.R. inducted as the Department, Admission Office and Registration Office from Bureau new Dean of Middle East College th Veritas Certification, UK, on 18 May Dr. Kiran Gopakumar Rajalekshmi is appointed as the Dean of 2017. MEC, effective 14th May 2017. Dr. Kiran has more than 20 years of Ambassador of the Republic of experience at the national and international level in areas related Korea to the Sultanate of to higher education management, teaching, research, quality H.E. Ambassador KANG Do-ho, assurance, policy development, social computing, governance paid an official visit to Middle East reforms, e-governance, and ICT for development. College on Wednesday, 2nd August 2017. The ambassador was To quote Dr. Abdullah Saif Ahmed Al Sabahi, Chairman of Middle accompanied by Mr. Seonghun East College, “As a forward-looking leader, Dr. Kiran has been KIM, Third Secretary & Vice Consul, Embassy of the Republic instrumental in devising specific strategies for enhancing the of Korea in the Sultanate. student learning experience through the institutional adoption of active teaching approaches and has also led the College’s Professor John Latham, Vice- efforts to develop a research portfolio and played a major role in Chancellor and CEO of Coventry establishing our international academic partnerships.” University, UK, and Dr. David Pilsbury, Coventry University’s Dr. Saleh Al Shaaibi, Associate Dean, External Affairs and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International), UK visited Middle Community Outreach, MEC said: “Dr. Kiran has always been a East College (MEC) on 16th May leader, supportive and initiative person since he joined MEC more 2017 received by Mr. Lefeer than 10 years ago. I am very sure that this new step will take Mohammed, Managing Director, MEC forward, towards new achievements, new experience and a MEC. better educational role in the Sultanate”. A delegation from O. P. Jindal According to Mohammed Al Hajri, Head of Student’s Advisory Global University (JGU), Council, “This announcement is for sure a major step that would consisting of Dr. Abdul Fattah take MEC forward in all the areas like education and other Ammourah, Professor and activities which enhance and develop students’ skills as Dr. Kiran Vice Dean, Jindal School of has always been collaborative with MEC students throughout International Affairs and Mr. Mohsin various students’ meetings with the Dean, their achievements, Raza Khan, Assistant Professor and Assistant Dean (Student activities and events.” Initiatives) Assistant Director, Centre for New South Asia, Jindal Dr. Kiran G.R. holds a PhD in Information Systems from the School of International Affairs London School of Economics, UK, M. Phil in Applied Economics visited MEC on 21st May 2017 from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi, Masters in Business Administration from the University of Kerala, and B.Tech Dr. Barbara Howell, Associate in Electronics and Communication Engineering from the College Dean, International, Coventry University and Ms. Liz Murphy, of Engineering, Trivandrum, India. Associate Dean, Marketing and Recruitment, Coventry University As Deputy Dean (Academic Affairs) and earlier, as Director visited MEC on 19th June, 2017. (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 A delegation led by Prof. Richard support ecosystems and community outreach activities of the Dashwood, Deputy Vice Chancellor College. – Research from Coventry University, UK visited Middle East College on the 16th August 2017. MEC students launch their first campus company, ‘8ur6asya’ 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, 3rd MEC Student Conference on Applied Information CEO of SME Development Fund, Dr. Abdullah bin and Communications Technology Saif bin Ahmed Al Sabahi, Chairman of Middle East College and various other dignitaries. ‘8ur6asya’ is an rd MEC organized the 3 MEC Student Conference on entrepreneurial venture funded and supported by SME Applied Information and Communications Technology on Development Fund and the brains behind the idea are th the 15 May 2017 at MEC Student Hub, Knowledge Oasis four students Ibrahim Al Dhikhri, Aditya Guruprasad, (KOM). The event brought together students and Maraj Al Balushi & Anurag Surendran who are pursuing academics from different educational institutions in the their undergraduate programmes in MEC. 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.

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

Archives and Records Management Symposium 2017 at MEC 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 1st CFS Research Seminar at MEC Muscat (KOM). Eminent members from the National Centre for Foundation Studies (CFS) at MEC organized the 1st Records and Archives Authority, Sultanate of Oman, The CFS Research Seminar. The keynote speech was delivered by Research Council (TRC), Oman, and faculty members Dr. Abbas Ali Rezaee, Associate Professor at the University of from MEC, participated in the symposium. This symposium Tehran, Iran on 17th May 2017. 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. 7th MEC’s Business Meet 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 th than 80 students from different higher education 7 Technical Gathering at MEC institutions in the Sultanate participated in various MEC organized the 7th Technical Gathering on the 2nd May 2017 academic competitions in Business, Accounting, at MEC Student Hub, Knowledge Oasis Muscat (KOM). Various Human Resources and Supply Chain Logistics. undergraduate students participated in the event with different projects in the Technology and Science fields.

Flipped Learning Symposium 2017 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.

‘Give Blood… Give Life!’, a blood ‘Experiences on Successful Robotics workshop by Mechanical donation event at MEC Entrepreneurs’ Seminar Engineering Department The Health and Safety Unit at MEC Department of Electronics and Mechanical Engineering Department organized a blood donation event on Communications Engineering conducted a one-day free workshop the 2nd and 3rd of May, 2017 at MEC organized a seminar on on ‘LEGO Education Mindstorms EV3’ Student Hub, Knowledge Oasis Muscat ‘Experiences on Successful Robotics for 30 MEC Students pursuing (KOM). The event was organized to raise Entrepreneurs’ on the 8th of May, their studies in Mechanical Engineering, awareness of the beneficial health effects 2017. Civil Engineering, Computing and of blood donation and at the social level, to Electronics. Students participated in a highlight the importance of blood donation racing competition with the robots that in saving someone’s life with the catchy they had built during the workshop. slogan, ‘Give Blood… Give Life!’. ‘BIM Technology 12D Model’ workshop Poster Presentation of UG Mobile Application Development at MEC project students workshop A workshop on ‘BIM Technology 12D MEC organized a Poster Computing Department at MEC organized Model’ was organized on 7th May 2017 Presentation event for the the ‘Mobile Application Development’ and presented by Eng/ Makram Aljyba Jy undergraduate students on 17th workshop on 17th May, 2017. The from 12D Company. The workshop aimed May, 2017. workshop was presented by Mr. Younis to introduce the powerful nD technology Said Al Anqoudi, Head of Applications for the students to enhance their projects Development, Information Communication in the areas of Highways, Airports, Ports, Technology, Oman Airports Management Sewer, Water, Railway, Oil & Gas and Company. The workshop aimed to others. introduce students to programming and to teach them how to develop mobile applications.

Health & Safety Management workshop 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.

MEC and NHTV Breda ties-up in an academic collaboration

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.

Admission is open till October 8

The Admission and Registration process has commenced at MEC for the Fall 2017 intake for the 18 undergraduate programmes MEC organizes the Annual Iftar and 4 postgraduate programmes Gathering offered by MEC in affiliation with MEC organized an Iftar Gathering at MEC Coventry University, UK and Student Hub, Knowledge Oasis Muscat University of Wolverhapmton, th (KOM) on Wednesday, 13 June 2017. UK. The admission process will The event was attended by institutional continue until the beginning of MEC Entrepreneurs participate in Injaz representatives from various government October 2017. In addition, MEC Oman Exhibition and private sectors in the Sultanate. has recently introduced an online 3 teams from MEC Entrepreneurs Club system (goo.gl/95XeDK) to make participated in the student company the application and registration exhibition organized by Injaz Oman at process easier and more efficient Shanjre-La Barr Al Jissah, Muscat in June for prospective students. 2017. Meet and Greet Event concludes The Civil Engineering Department at MEC organized a Meet and Greet Event on 13th July 2017 at MEC MEC participates in Educ8te Student Hub, Knowledge Oasis Muscat. The event aimed at bringing together academic and industrial MEC participated in the Educ8te (Higher Education) 2017 experts to network, exchange ideas, and identify areas exhibition that was held at the Oman Convention and Exhibition th th for collaboration. Centre from 18 to 20 July, 2017.

MEC Students participate in Coventry’s Summer School MEC Students live a new experience at Hanyang University Programme A student delegation consisting of 19 students from Middle East A student delegation from Middle East College (MEC) returned College (MEC) visited Hanyang University, Seoul, to Oman after a visit to Coventry University (CU), United as part of the MEC Student Exchange Programme established st Kingdom on the 1 of August 2017. The students participated in collaboration with different educational institutions around in the Summer School Programme organized by CU along with the world. The students participated in the Hanyang University other students from different parts of the world. The programme Summer School Programme that lasted for 28 days from 3rd th st lasted for about two weeks from 15 July to 31 July 2017 July to 31st July, 2017. They attended workshops on many and it included many sessions in the English language, British subjects like Accounting, Management and Strategic Planning, culture and history, creative writing, leadership skills, marketing, Presentation Skills, Journalism Photography, Korean Language programming and others. In addition, the students visited some and Culture, Designing, Corporate Communications and well-known tourist attractions like London, Liverpool, Black General Physics to name a few. The programme also included Country Harry Potter Museum and Air Force Museum. trips to many tourist destinations as well as a visit to the Omani Embassy in Korea.

Summer Workshops Week concludes at MEC

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. ITKIT programme concludes at MEC

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.

A workshop on Enhancing Teaching and Learning experience 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.

Achievement MEC students win the ‘Best Show Award’ in AFAQ

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.

Nilima Gandhi climbs Mt Everest

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. 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.

The DHOW team

• Aysha Al Wahibi • Dr. Radhika Narayanan

• Deepali Bhatnagar • Ritesh Rajendran

• Priya Mathew • Mohammed Halawa