Muscat University and NTI sign MoU
MUSCAT: National Training Institute (NTI) Oman and Muscat University have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) within several fields aiming at recognising the mutual benefits to be gained through a cooperative programme promoting scholarly activities and international understanding in the areas of engineering, technology, business and management.
The agreement has been ratified by Professor Costas Chryssou, the deputy vice-chancellor, Finance and Administration of Muscat University and Lawrence Alva, the chief executive officer of NTI Oman. The two organisations will work together to develop appropriate professional development activities, of interest to both organisations and the engineering and business communities. The agreement concerns the subject areas of student visits, the offering of education programmes and short courses, NTI’s graduate progression to Engineering programmes at Muscat University, Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities, student projects, training and research collaboration in the broad area of Engineering & Technology and Business & Management.
Lawrence Alva, CEO of NTI said, “NTI is very excited to be associated and collaborating with Muscat University in an earnest endeavour to develop competent and capable graduates for the Omani marketplace. This association brings together two essential elements of graduate development i.e. Academic Excellence and Vocational Competence. I firmly believe that this initiative will meet employer’s expectations of fresh graduates; a fine blend of academic excellence and handson competence.”
Chryssou said: “This agreement reflects our university’s efforts to foster strong links with industry and the vocational training sector as a means of producing career-ready graduates with advanced skills that employers value and need. This MoU will allow our university to continue providing industry informed education producing new workers with a more rounded skillset who are better prepared for the future work environment.”
Dr Nader Mosavat, Director of Engineering and Technology Department at Muscat University added: “As highlighted in Oman Energy Master Plan 2040, the alignment between Oman’s Industry and Academia must be urgently improved. This agreement is a step forward toward merging academic and vocational training programmes with the aim of producing work-ready graduates. NTI has the capacity to bridge the industry-academic gap and to contribute as a linking professional body among various sectors.”
NTI, the premier training institute in the Sultanate, has been developing competent Omani workforce over the last three decades in collaboration with the private sector employers. In line with its mission; ‘To empower individuals and organisations to succeed through learning’, NTI has been training and employing thousands of Omani youth in diverse industry segments. The capability and expertise of NTI have been enhanced through Babcock International Group (UK), its parent company.
Muscat University’s vision is to transform individuals and communities through excellence in teaching, learning and research producing the leaders of the future in both the public and private sectors. The Muscat University programmes combine academic rigour with relevance to the world of work, producing career-ready graduates.
Muscat University, recognising industry’s need for career-ready graduates, has launched Bachelors programmes, delivered in partnership with Aston University in the UK, that include a mandatory year of industrial work placement, as part of the degree programme. Through these sandwich placements, students will gain a broad range of professional experience, both technical training and personal development opportunities, that will equip them with the skills they need to succeed in their chosen career.
Muscat University Masters programmes are delivered in partnership with Cranfield University in the UK and are designed to deliver rich theoretical knowledge in conjunction with practical skills that meet the requirements of 21st Century industry. All of the MSc programmes are research and industry-informed to ensure the most up-to-date learning and teaching experience.