RCAS holds meeting with Orientation Week panel

July 20: Summer is the time when both Omanis and expatriates go travelling. While some prefer to take to the seas on the ferry, others like to take the road.

For instance, Shaikha al Maqhosi, from Gaalan Bani Bu Ali, and her family prefers the ferry. “I like open spaces. I like the ferry or the ship where I can breathe clean air. A ferry trip takes longer, but it’s more fun.”

Ali al Mashri, from Al Amerat, has visited Masirah Island several times. He loves the ferry. “Ferry is unusual. You sail over the blue sea and under a clear blue sky. It’s soothing for the mind too. Seeing birds, dolphins and different kinds of fish is a great experience.”

Raja C., an Indian expatriate, echoed a similar sentiment. “If I get a chance to travel in a ferry, I will definitely try it out. It will be a new experience,” he says.

As an environment enthusiast, he prefers the ferry since it “causes less pollution”.

Taymora al Gawi, for instance, prefers cars to ferries, although she has visited the Masirah Island twice on a ferry. She, however, feels more comfortable in a car. “I am afraid of the sea waves. I feel car is safer than a ferry. Even when I’m sailing in a ferry, I’m seated inside the car.” She also feels ferry tours are more expensive. For Rashid al Jabri, travelling means “car, car and only car”. Terming sea travel “dangerous”, he said he has no problem travelling in a ferry. But he will remain in the car, while the ferry will carry his car!

An Omani woman from Ibri said she has no time to visit Muscat and book tickets for all family members. “Car is easier, faster and cheaper,” she said, adding: “It (car) gives more privacy.”

Jithin Thaj has visited Musandam on a ferry once. But he’s had enough of it. “I prefer the car, anytime.” July 20: The Rustaq College of Applied Sciences held its first preparatory meeting with the Committee of Orientation at the college on Tuesday.

Dean of Rustaq College of Applied Sciences Dr Humood al Wardi, who leads meeting of the Orientation Week activities for academic year 2016/2017, and members of the committee were present. The activities for the orientation week and programmes for the entire week were highlighted.

The meeting decided to have a combination of programmes at the opening ceremony and throughout the orientation week. A lecture titled ‘How to start’, a cultural contest and a role play on how to start academic life will be included in the opening day of the orientation week.

The meeting saw a discussion on the main activities and orientation sessions to be held every year during the orientation week. Students will undertake a placement test to be placed in one of the foundation year levels.

Rustaq College will welcome students for teacher preparation programmes like mathematics and sciences besides the newly introduced programme for the first time in the Sultanate, which is the localisation of teaching jobs.