Higher College of Technology

STUDENT AFFAIRS

Student Affairs' role is to serve and support students in achieving their academic and personal goals during and after their stay in this college. They work closely with all the Academic Departments in order to enhance services to students. They play a major role in involving students through out-side classroom activities whereby their creativity, physical, intellectual or leadership skills become exposed and known to the College Community. The Unit also protects the security and confidentiality of students' records. Visit the Student Affairs webpage for more information.

 

HEALTH, SAFETY AND COUNSELLING SERVICES

HCT has a policy to ensure the health, safety, and wellbeing of its students. In addition, it has health and safety procedures set out in its different quality sub-manuals for laboratories and workshops. Further, the College provides basic health facilities through a clinic that is managed by a certified nurse. The clinic is open from 8 am to 2:30 pm and provides assistance in simple cases and refers others to the Ministry of Health facilities. Finally, HCT provides student counseling through a qualified counselor in student affairs.

 

ACADEMIC SUPPORT SERVICES

The aim of academic support services is to support HCT mission through enhancing the effectiveness of the teaching and learning and providing members of the learning community, whether teachers or students, with an environment that fosters development and retention. The following is a non-exhaustive list of selected services.

• Academic Advising (through academic units). Students seeking assistance in planning a major, making course selection, and navigating a successful path to graduation, are offered in person advice. HCT has recently added an intrusive advising scheme to its existing prescriptive advising so as to help students with special needs.

• Tutoring (through sections). Tutoring is offered through academic units. Tutoring is offered for most courses at all levels subject to tutor availability.

• Library

          – Main Library. The main library of HCT is furnished with new books in collaboration with all the departments in HCT. The library was recently renovated and enlarged to increase its capacity and include private study areas for students.

          – Digital Library. HCT has recently subscribed to a digital library service to complement its books collection for its staffs and students.

• Scheduled office hours dedicated to support student learning.

• Value-added courses. These are offered by various academic units as additional academic support. Students working on course projects benefit from these as well as those who would like to gain more knowledge in specific areas.

• Industrial visits. Visits to the industry are provided and organized through collaboration with the College transport office, OJT officers, and the respective academic department.

INFORMATION AND LEARNING TECHNOLOGY SERVICES

Information and Learning Technology Services are centrally managed in HCT by the Educational Technology Center (ETC). The center serves as the resource for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) facilities, Educational Technology (ET) resources and library services in HCT. The Educational Technology Center is mandated to provide updated IT infrastructure, improved facilities for educational technology and learning resources support to facilitate the application of technologies in fulfilling HCT mission and goals.

 

STUDENT LEARNING SUPPORT SERVICES

Learning support in HCT is provided through several means. These include a self-access center, the library, free access computer labs, e-learning, and access to the internet. These facilities provide students with some tools that can assist them in accessing information and learning. Moreover, students get access to specialized labs to perform their projects (e.g., engineering labs). In addition to these resources, HCT requires its faculty to timetable office hours during which students can seek assistance. It also provides tutoring sessions in some courses using instructors or junior staff. Further, HCT has organized learning clubs (e.g., science and English clubs) that enable students to explore knowledge outside classrooms. These are augmented by peer-assisted learning schemes in HCT such as group assignments/projects, group discussions, etc. Students are trained on learning skills during their foundation program.

 

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Currently, planning and management of student support services are the responsibility of the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs (ADSA) as established by article 26 in the College Bylaws. ADSA supervises several departments, which are Admission and Registration, OJT, Counseling and Graduate Follow-up, Housing, and Student Activities and Graduation.

• Career and Employment Services - HCT provides career and employment services to help students secure jobs within chosen professions. By using the College career and employment services, students can get help on what choices they have, placements, and better job opportunities. Currently, HCT has a separate OJT unit which places students for their On-the-Job-Training program. It also assist students job placement through the College.

• Student Finances - HCT provides various financial services to students including allowances, supporting facilities and services (printing services, photocopiers, internet access, etc.), and ticket allowances for specific students. All the financial services are linked with the systems and financial regulations and policies of MoM and Ministry of Finance.

• Accommodation, Catering and Transportation - Accommodations in HCT are provided to some of female students in the College hostels. The remaining students are provided information and assistance in acquiring private housing. All students residing outside the governorate of Muscat receive an allowance for accommodations and living. As for catering, there are two canteens available in HCT; one for male students and another for females. In addition, there is a smaller catering facility available in the main building. All these facilities are outsourced to a private contractor. Finally, the College provides transportation to students for their OJT, industrial visits, and visits to outside health facilities. These are coordinated via the transportation section under ADAF.

 

SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL SERVICES

HCT has formed several societies, clubs, and groups. They are engaged in several activities and are supported by HCT. This comes in the form of facilities, such as using the College auditorium and spaces, in addition to financial assistance. HCT also backs these activities through ADSA.