SQU, Trinity College Dublin to boost ties

MUSCAT: Dr Ali bin Saud al Bimani, the Vice Chancellor of Sultan Qaboos University, received in his office on Thursday, a delegation from Trinity College Dublin (The University of Dublin) headed by Dr Patrick Prendergast, Provost of the University.

The two sides discussed possibilities of potential collaboration between the two universities in the fields of Medicine, Nursing, Engineering and Middle Eastern Studies.

The universities agreed to collaborate in the field of student exchange in the form of internships and short courses abroad especially in the areas of medicine and nursing. Researchers from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the College of Engineering at SQU already had discussion with Trinity College Dublin team and identified areas of collaboration.

The undergraduate programme offered by the Near & Middle Eastern Studies faculty at Trinity College Dublin have included in their curriculum studies on the language and culture of the Middle East to gain insights into the challenges of diversity and multiculturalism in an increasingly globalised world.

The faculty members from the Department expressed their interest to cooperate with SQU through student exchange and related activities so that their students can live and learn Arabic language and culture by interacting with the Omani people.

The two sides agreed to organise joint workshops to identify areas of research collaboration and further partnerships. The meeting was also attended by HH Sayyidah Dr Mona bint Fahd al Said, SQU Assistant Vice Chancellor for External Cooperation, Prof Juliette Hussey, Vice-President for Global Relations, Trinity College Dublin and senior academicians and officials from both sides.