IPD Leads Faculty Training in Oman and Advances Relationship with Key Partners

Salalah, Oman – International Programs and its International Professional Development (IPD) program represented UNO and UNMC in Salalah, Oman, this October. Intensive English instructor Asta Reiff facilitated a successful Teaching with Technology workshop first to faculty at Dhofar University and then to a large cohort of teaching assistants. The interactive workshop provided participants with practical ideas for using technology in content instruction, for collaboration, and for student projects.

Reiff found the experience of teaching in Oman to be enlightening in many ways. “This invaluable experience has highlighted the importance of intercultural competency in my teaching practice. The ability to identify differences yet build on commonalities is a skill we must develop in order to be successful in this interconnected world.”

The workshop was likely the first in a series that IPD will coordinate with Dhofar University, who has been a valued global partner of UNO’s for three years.

B.J. Reed, Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at UNO, stated, "The IPD program is central to our overall effort to assist professionals across the globe to improve their proficiency in English to increase their effectiveness in working with predominantly English speaking countries. Oman has been a wonderful partner with UNO and we are excited for new opportunities going forward.

In coordination with Dr. Khalid Almashikhi, the Acting Dean of the College of Arts and Applied Sciences at Dhofar University and an alumni of UNO, Bruce Grogan, Interim Director of International Programs at UNO & Director of International Health and Medical Education at UNMC, met with numerous representatives of the university to advance this partnership between Dhofar University and UNO. He also discussed increasing the number of Omani students at UNMC through nursing and public health programs, which are of great interest to Omani students.

Students from Oman can be seen throughout UNO’s campus. They are currently enrolled in ILUNO Intensive English, undergraduate, and graduate programs, with about 150 Omani students enrolled in classes this fall. There are also options students to study abroad in Oman through UNO Education Abroad.

There is also a smaller Omani presence at UNMC: two students are enrolled in the Master's in Public Health program, and one is enrolled in the Doctor of Nursing Science program. Twenty-two students from Oman have come to the Medical Center for clinical rotations, and nine students from UNMC have traveled to Oman for month-long clinical experiences.

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