Education in Oman
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Education in Oman is provided free of charge up to the end of secondary education, though attendance is not mandatory at any level. Oman's national educational program expanded rapidly during the 1970s and the 1980s. In 2000–2001 316,889 students attended primary schools while some 254,496 were enrolled at secondary schools. There are also extensive programmes to combat adult illiteracy. Sultan Qaboos University, a national university near Muscat, was founded in 1980; in 1995 it had 4,296 students. In 1998, 4.5 percent of the country’s gross national product (GNP) was spent on education. The adult literacy rate in 2004 was 77.1 percent.
[edit] Higher Education in Oman
The Omani higher education system is relatively young.[citation needed] The first public University of Oman, the Sultan Qaboos University was founded in 1986. Currently, Oman runs a dual higher education systems, which consists of universities and colleges. In addition to that, there are a consiserable number of "Higher Institutes". Universities and colleges are run by the government or private institutions. At the moment, colleges teach only in the undergraduate area; there are no research activities so far.
At the colleges, the student receive there first vocational graduation. The first year ends normally with a "Higher National Certificate (HNC)". The second year conclude with the "Higher National Diploma (HND)". the third year will lead to an academic grade of a Bachelor.
The public universities are normally visited by Omani only. Expatriates go - as a general rule - to private universities or study abroad.
The Oman higher education systems consists of
- one public University
- six public Colleges
- three private universities
- Dhofar University
- University of Nizwa
- Sohar University
- Muscat University (geplant)
- twelve private Colleges
The first private college was established in 1994. Since this date Oman has seen quite a lot of new foundations. Most of the colleges focus on business administration and computer sciences. The language of instruction is mainly English. Few colleges allow Omani students only.
- Muscat College
- Fire Safety Engineering College
- Al-Zahra College for Women
- Oman Tourism College (OTC) (formerly known as Oman College of Tourism)
- Oman Medical College
- Waljat Colleges of Applied Sciences
- International Maritime College Oman (IMCO LLC)
- Middle East College of Information Technology
- Al Buraimi College
- Scientific College of Design
- Oman College of Science & Technology
- Mazoon College for Management and Applied Sciences
- Majan College (College of Administrative Sciences)
- Modern College of Business & Science
- Caledonian College of Engineering
- Sur University College
- Gulf College
In the year 2003, Omani Ministery of Higher Education approved the merger of five Colleges in oder to form the Muscat University. However, the plan of the five private run colleges Fire Safety Engineering College, Majan College, Modern College of Business & Science, Middle East College of Information Technology and Mazoon College for Management and Applied Sciences fail (source: Oman Observer 18.7.2005).
As a result, the Omani Ministery of Higher Education submit a new request for proposal in order to form the fourth private university in Oman, the Muscat University. The RWTH Aachen was awarded.
