Higher College of Technology

news & updates

1. The Higher College of Technology welcomes His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Jaber Abu Ali

The Higher College of Technology welcomes His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Jaber Abu Ali, the First Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education in Arab Republic of Eqypt and the accompanying honorable delegates.

2. HCT Welcomes the New DEAN

HCT is proud and priviledged to have Dr. Ahmed Al-Ghassani as the new Dean of the College effective 10th of March. Dr Ahmed Al Ghassani obtained a BEng Degree in Civil Engineering from Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) in 1993. He worked with Dhofar Municipality as Civil Engineer then Quantity Surveyor for a few years during which he was involved in several prestigious projects. In 1997 he took up the post as an Assistant Lecturer in Salalah College of Technology. This was followed by a postgraduate program leading to an MSc in Structural Engineering at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST) in UK (1998-1999). He joined Loughborough University (UK) to do his PhD on Improving the Structural Design Process using Knowledge Management in June 2000, after receiving a scholarship funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC, UK)). He was awarded a PhD degree in May 2003 and later in 2004, he worked as Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs in Al Musana College of Technology. In 2005, he was appointed as the Dean of Nizwa College of Technology. Dr Al Ghassani has published more than twenty papers in internationally refereed journals and conference proceedings. He is also member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and Oman Society of Engineers (OSE).

3. HCT Football Team Bags the Championship Title

HCT Football Team bags the championship title against Middle East College of Information Technology by penalty kicks. The tournament was held at Seeb Stadium Sports Club. Sheikh Rashad bin Ahmed Al Hinai, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Sports Affairs, Dr. Salim bin Khamis Al Araimi, chairman of the Omani Sports University Committee, and Dr. Shuba Zakaria Dean of Majan University, and Deans of various Universities and Colleges graced the said tournament.

4. New Admin Heads

Effective January 27, 2010, Mr. Issa Salmin Al Hadaby is the Acting Head of Department ( HOD ) for Administration Affairs. Likewise, Mr. Ahmed John Al Zidjali from Engineering Department is the Acting Head of Maintenance and Service Section.

5. HCT Students Reach Out to the Community

November 2009 saw the establishment of a partnership between HCT and AEI (Association of Early Intervention for Children with Special Needs. A group of Level 4 Foundation Programme students �A21 -took on the project to become involved with AEI. They visited the association�s school where they met with teachers and administrative staff. In addition, they spent time with the special needs children both in and outside the classroom. �The experience has changed me forever� stated a HCT student, another said �We thought we were going to be giving them something from our visit instead it was the children who gave us so much�. Following on from their visit A21 students prepared a powerpoint presentation and compiled a video from their field trip to AEI. They held information sessions with the ELC student body where they shared their experience, imparted information about special needs children and sought a commitment from HCT students to spread this important information to their families and friends and to help raise funds for AEI. In December the A21 students ran a fantastic fundraising event in the ELC which included a BBQ and food stalls; video games in the SAC and incredible performances in the auditorium. Resulting from this tremendous effort HCT was able to handover 450 RO to AEI to help support the essential work they are doing in the community. This ELC initiative is an ongoing partnership and commitment to AEI by all of us at HCT. Dr. Obaid has thrown his full support behind this project and our goal this semester is to double our donation. In line with this goal our first fund raising event will take place in February and we ask all teaching faculty to show their support.

6. English Clubs� Final Performance

On Tuesday 8 December many of us enjoyed a fantastic Final Night Performance by the Semester 1 ELC, English Club students. The audience comprising ELC teaching staff and their families; Foundation students; ELC Director Ahmed Al Dissi and special guests Dean Dr. Obaid and Assistant Dean Ali Al Ghunaimi. One hundred extra seats were placed in the Multi Purpose Hall resulting in every corner being fully occupied but still many people were unfortunately turned away because the event was a sell out. The audience witnessed a stunning array of presentations and performances including drama, speeches, art displays, Spanish guitar, singing and the premier of the student film �The Magic Barber�. �This event just keeps getting better� comments an audience member �That was two hours of great entertainment� said one teacher and one of the performers stated �I have never felt so empowered before � it has been a fantastic opportunity to go beyond my limits�. In addition to the performances, many people heard about a new partnership between HCT and the Association for the Early Intervention of Children with Special Needs (AEI). Dr. Obaid spoke directly to the audience encouraging and supporting all of us, both teachers and students, to get behind this important relationship. Here are a few photos of the event.

Birthday wishes for this month...

No	Name	Date	Department	Extn.
1	Moh'd Ahmed Abuzaid	1 March	Student Affairs	5038
2	mohamed ali belqasem oueslati	2 March	Science	0
3	Christopher Gnana Seelan Selvamony	3 March	ELC	1706
4	Fakhriya Habib Al-Rashdi	3 March	ELC	1513
5	Bassam Saleh Abu haija	5 March	IT	5037
6	bissan wahib nahle	7 March	Fashion	0
7	MOHSIN AZIZ	8 March	Business	0
8	Anna Jozina Snellen	10 March	ELC	0
9	Alfredo Cas Cate	10 March	Science	2000
10	Khalid Zayed Al-Muharrami	10 March	Engineering	1919
11	Jaseer	10 March	Engineering	1406
12	Warda Abdurahman	13 March	ELC	0
13	ALYA ALI AL NASSERI	14 March	Business	0
14	MANJULA GUMMA	17 March	Science	1517
15	Eduardo Morada Rubi II	24 March	Engineering	0
16	Shujaat Ali	25 March	ELC	1707
17	Richel Noronio Robles	28 March	Engineering	1107
18	Fazal Omar Quraishi	29 March	Science	1601
19	Rex Peji Penas	30 March	Engineering	0
20	Asmaa Hamoud Al-Marhoubi	31 March	IT	5116
21	Sindhu Menon Nair	31 March	Science	1608

The management wishes all the best for the following staff.

Monday, March 15, 2010