GCU welcomes Omani students from the College of Engineering National University as part of four-week exchange programme

Engineering students from a university in Oman have had the opportunity to visit GCU as part of an exciting four-week programme, thanks to a Transnational Higher Education partnership.

Students from the College of Engineering National University (CENU) in Oman recently took part in a study exchange programme at GCU, allowing them to apply their knowledge towards an industry project.

As part of the programme, students were tasked with completing an industry project under the supervision of mentors from GCU – concluding with a final presentation of their findings. The purpose of the project involved helping students increase their knowledge, employability and team working skills.

During their time at GCU, students also had the opportunity to enhance their cultural knowledge by visiting a number of Scottish landmarks and industrial sites, such as Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond and Whitelee Wind Farm.

On the final day of the programme, students had the chance to present their findings – and even share their first impressions of Scotland.

CENU student Zuwaina Al Habsi told us about the process behind applying towards the project. She explained: “Firstly, we had an email from the Dean of our university advertising the opportunity to all of the students.

To apply, we had to send a project proposal and explain why we wanted to be a part of the programme at GCU. After this, we had to complete an interview for them to find out about our CV and the project we planned to do.

After two weeks, we were given confirmation that we had been accepted onto the programme. That’s when all the travel preparation began!”

To help the students along the way, each team was assigned a mentor from GCU. Zuwaina found this very helpful and is grateful to have had the support. She said: “I was lucky to have Dr Amit Kumar Jainand Dr Mahmood Anwar as my project supervisors.

Dr Mahmood provided his expertise on the technical side of things, and Dr Amit helped us with our report writing. I learned from them how to write a research paper and how to do academic writing. After this, the work was checked by Dr Patricia Munoz de Escalonaand this was really beneficial for us to understand how to write at a good level.

We also had the chance to go on some trips around Scotland with Dr Bob Gilmour, which was wonderful!”

CENU student Hafsa Al Haddabi initially approached the programme with low confidence in her mathematical abilities, but the project has helped change her mind. She explained: “Before, I didn’t feel that I was very good at the mathematical side of things but the programme has helped me feel a lot more confident, thanks to the supervisors I had during the project.”

CENU student Siddig Isail has loved his time in Glasgow, and is even considering returning to complete his Masters degree. He said: “It’s been really great! We have had the chance to explore and you always find that there’s something amazing to see here.

In Glasgow, around every corner there’s another area with so much history and it’s been really interesting to find it all.

We had the chance to go on some trips during the programme and I really enjoyed seeing Stirling Castle in particular! It’s been a great experience.”

He added: “My project was on high voltage DC transmission lines, and this is an area that we haven’t really looked at during my course at home so it was great to focus on it here at GCU. It almost opened an entirely new chapter of engineering for me to get familiar with.

I did a lot of research on the subject in the first week so I could find out more, but it has all worked out and I managed to finish my report. It has given me the opportunity to learn a totally new side to engineering.

All going well, I’m really hoping to return here to do my Masters degree in January. Before the experience, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to start a Masters course or not but the experience has made me feel invigorated. I want to be back here as soon as I can!”

By Rachael McAlonan

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