november ecember 17 the dhow - middle east collegeportal.mec.edu.om/dhow/thedhow_nov_dec...

THE DHOW November & December 2017 THE DHOW November & December 2017

THE DHOW

MEC boosts the job market with 1313 graduates

MEC NewsletterNovember & December 2017

MEC celebrated the Annual Graduation Ceremony of its 2017 batch at the Student Hub, Knowledge Oasis Muscat (KOM), on Saturday, 9th December and Sunday, 10th December 2017. A total of 1313 graduands were awarded Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Bachelor and Masters Certificates in 22 different undergraduate and postgraduate programmes offered by MEC in the fields of Engineering, Science & Technology, Business, and Archives and Records Management. The closing ceremony was held under the auspices of H. E. Nasser bin Sulaiman Al Sibani, Deputy Chairman of the Public Authority for Radio and Television, Oman. Dr. Abdullah Saif Ahmed Al Sabahy, Chairman, Middle East College, Dr. Kiran G. R, Dean, Middle East College, Deanery members, dignitaries from various ministries, academics, parents and other distinguished guests attended the event.The four earlier sessions were held under the patronage of Professor John Latham, Vice-Chancellor of Coventry University, Dr. Anthea Gregory, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of University of Wolverhampton and attended by MEC Deanery members, Dr. Debbie Gilliland, Head of Transnational Education, University of Wolverhampton, MEC staff and students and other dignitaries.

Students of Electronics and Communication wins award at Research Forum

AchievementsAchievements

A team of two undergraduate students from MEC received an award from The Research Council of Oman (TRC), for their project entitled ‘Automatic Daily Activity Management System for the Elderly Person’. This winning project was entered under the category ‘Health and Social Services’. The award was presented during the Annual Research Forum 2017, on 10th December 2017, under the Faculty Mentored Undergraduate Research Award Programme of TRC (FURAP). The Annual Research Forum was held under the auspices of H. E. Dr Rawya bint Saud Al Busaidi, Minister of Higher Education, Oman and attended by eminent dignitaries from different public and private sectors in the Sultanate. The two MEC students, Abir Al Siyabi and Al Anood Al Alawi, specializing in Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering, had put in a lot of effort in the project, done under the mentorship of Dr. Sumesh Eratt Parameswaran, Faculty, Electronics and Communication Engineering Department, MEC.


MEC’s Art, Culture, and Photography Society wins third place in ‘Lammah’

MEC student wins second prize in Ishraqa Entrepreneurship contest

The Art, Culture and Photography Society at MEC won the third place in the Oman Photography Gathering ‘Lammah’. MEC’s team competed with 21 other teams from various institutions to win the third place.

MEC student, Noor Al Saqri, won the 2nd prize in the Ishraqa competition conducted by Riyada, for her project “Deboo”, a mobile application dedicated to Omani Entrepreneurs.

Our student Haninal Al Gufaili won a golden medal and earned an honorable mention in the International Photography Competition (Square 2017).

Our student Jawaher AlRahbi won a golden medal and earned an honorable mention in the 3rd Circular Exhibition of Photography that was held in Serbia and Montenegro.

Our student Hetaf Al Balushi earned an honorable mention in the 24th Annual Photography Exhibition 2017 that was organized by the Photography Society of Oman.

Our Alumni Khalifa Al Riyami earned an honorable mention in the Hipa Instagram Competition organized by Shiekh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktom.

Two students from the General Foundation Programme (GFP), Sarah Al Hinai and Faisal Al Busaidi, made a remarkable achievement in Reading on the M-Reader by reading texts totaling 99,863 and 39, 234 words respectively

General Foundation Students makes remarkable achievement in reading Contest


MEC celebrates 47th National Day of Oman

MEC Alumni present a paper in the IEEE International Conference on Intelligent Communication and Computational Techniques (ICCT 2017)

MEC Week for Fall 2017 held in November 2017

Middle East College celebrated Oman’s 47th National Day by organizing an event on the MEC premises, Knowledge Oasis Muscat, on 22nd November 2017. The solemn event began with the choral singing of the Omani National Anthem by college members, led by the college management, in the presence of other dignitaries. Different cultural activities where organized during the event including an exhibition of Omani traditional dresses and food, video shows, and a display of folk arts. The festivities also included a performance by school students, a Children’s fashion show, a 47 minutes competition, Youla folk art performance by MEC students, Talent show, Arts and Music show and Drama show.

Zakiya Juma Khulaif Al Riyami and Fatma Mubarak Said Al Siyabi, alumni of Department of Computing presented a paper entitled “ABPCBase: Amino acid Bio-Physico-Chemical properties Database and APPDBase: Amino acid Properties Protein Disorder Database” in IEEE International Conference on Intelligent Communication and Computational Techniques (ICCT 2017), Manipal University, Jaipur, India held during Dec 22-23, 2017. This paper co-authored with Dr. Smitha, Center for PG Studies was part of a research work funded by TRC under FURAP call-3.

Middle East College organized the MEC Week for Fall 2017, from 5th to 9th November 2017, at the MEC campus, Knowledge Oasis Muscat (KOM). The event is carried out with the aim of providing opportunities for students to improve their knowledge and skills and showcase their talents through various activities based on different themes such as: Health, Safety, and Environment, Innovation and Digital Competence, Cultural Competence, Social Engagement, and Entrepreneurship. Some of the interesting activities organised during the MEC week were: The 3rd MEC Startup Exhibition, Civil Engineering Quiz Competition, Drama shows, Football matches, Treasure Hunt, Innovative Project Competition, the Gallery of Nations, Artificial Intelligence Activity, “I dare you” event, Blood Donation Campaign, Diabetes Awareness Campaign, manufacturing moving objects using rubber bands and AutoCAD workshop.

Events and activities


The Department of Civil Engineering at MEC, organized Engineering Surveying and Quiz Competitions, as part of the MEC Week activities in the period from 5th to 9th

November 2017. The competitions aimed at raising students’ knowledge, competence and awareness in the field of Engineering.

The Student Experience Office (SEO) organized a drama event; called “Till when?”, as part of the MEC Week activities on the 8th of November 2017 at the MEC Student Hub. The drama was written by a MEC student, Khalid Al Shuwaihi and presented by the MEC Music and Drama Society. It aimed at raising students’ awareness on the role and services provided by the SEO and the grievance system.

Department of Computing organized a workshop titled ‘Trends, Challenges and Opportunities in Cyber Security’, at the MEC campus, on 21st November 2017, which was presented by Mr. Sajin Nelson, an expert in the field of Cyber Security. The workshop aimed at raising the knowledge of students pursuing Computing programmes, in the field of Cyber Security and related issues and developing their competence in the same.

Civil Engineering Department organizes activities in the MEC Week

Student Experience Office organises Drama show

Computing Department organises workshop on Cyber security

Placement and Entrepreneurship Office organized the 3rd

MEC Startup Exhibition as part of the MEC Week on the 6th and 7th of November 2017 at the MEC Student Hub. About 15 startups with specialization in different fields participated in the exhibition. The event aimed to support the MEC entrepreneurs and help them raise their startup profiles.

The Centre for Foundation Studies (CFS) organized its first community outreach initiative, entitled ‘Together we Read’, for the academic year 2017-2018 on 13th December 2017. A group of 50 General Foundation Programme (GFP) students accompanied by some CFS faculty visited Al Kawther Elementary School in Al-Seeb. The main objective of the initiative was to share knowledge and to build a culture of reading among MEC students as well as members of the local community.

The 3rd MEC Startup Exhibition

‘Together We read’, a community outreach initiative


The Management Studies Department at MEC organized a lecture on ‘Economic Diversification through Logistics: Opportunities, Challenges and Key Success Factors’ at the MEC Student Hub, on 7th November 2017. The lecture was presented by Mahmood Al Balushi, CEO, Al Madina Logistics and attended by the Management Studies’ faculty and students.

MEC staff participated in the International Day of Walking event organized by the Ministry of Health on 11th November 2017. The event aimed to raise the community’s awareness about Diabetes and the dangers of smoking.

Centre for Postgraduate Studies organized a workshop on ‘Inquiry Led Approach in Assignments: Research Perspectives’ on 19th November 2017 at MEC Student Hub. The workshop was attended by PG students pursuing their Masters in Business Administration in Information Technology (MBA IT). MEC staff also attended the workshop.

The Disciplinary Committee at MEC organized a workshop on ‘Electronic Extortion’ on 13th November 2017 . It was presented by Eng. Salim Saif Al Abdali, at the MEC Student Hub. The event was attended by MEC staff and students and aimed at raising awareness about the issues, challenges, threats, reasons and solutions related to electronic extortion.

The Art, Culture and Photography Society organized a workshop on the ‘Basic of Photography’ presented by the AFIAP/ Abdurrahman Al Adawi at the MEC premises on 15th November 2017. The workshop targeted MEC students who are passionate about photography. Its aim was to provide them with guidance and increase their knowledge in the field of photography.

Department of Management studies organises lecture on Logistics

MEC participates in International Day of Walking

Centre for Postgraduate Studies organises workshop for MBA-IT students

Workshop on ‘Electronic extortion’ held on 13th Nov

Workshop on ‘Basics of Photography’ held on Nov 15th


MEC hosted a drama show organized by the Alden Theater for Culture and Art at the MEC Student Hub on 22nd November 2017. The event was attended by eminent people from the fields of acting, art and other media, in the Sultanate. Some of the known names in these respective fields like Amina Abdulrasol Al Balushi, Mohammed Al Manji, Qusai AlZedjali, Idrees Al Balushi and Muhannad Al Adawani attended the programme which was also attended by MEC staff and students.

The Students Activities Unit organized the Sports Challenge at the Sports Hall located in the Student Hub at MEC, on 29th November 2017. At the end of the competition, the winners of the matches were announced. The team led by Sulieman Al Ghelani won the first place in the competition.

MEC staff participated in the 1st International Research Conference that was held at the American University in Dubai, United Arab of Emirates (UAE) during 15th to 17th November 2017.

The Student Advisory Council (SAC) organized the MEC Carnival on 6th

of December 2017, at MEC’s Student Hub, as part of its community outreach events to support the Omani Cancer Association. The event included many activities such as live performances on stage, games’ competitions and food stalls.

The Centre for Academic Writing (CAW) organized the CAW Day on 23rd

November 2017 at the MEC premises. The event aimed at increasing awareness among MEC students and staff regarding the activities carried out by CAW and the help they could seek in academic writing. CU-Harvard Style Referencing leaflets were distributed to all those who approached the help desks placed in each of the four buildings and information about CAW was provided to them by student volunteers.

A student delegation consisting of about 20 students from MEC participated in the International Conference “Slush 2017” that was held in Helsinki, Finland, from 30th November to 1st December 2017. The event aimed at bringing together entrepreneurs, startups, media corporations and investors, from all over the world.

Center for Postgraduate Studies organized a workshop on ‘E-resource facility at MEC’ on 23rd November 2017 at MEC Student Hub. The workshop was attended by the Postgraduate programmes’ students and staff. It aimed at introducing the attendees to the different E-resources available at MEC and how to access and use them.

Drama Show by Alden Theatre for Culture and Art Student activities Office organises Sports Challenge

MEC staff presented papers in the 1st International Research Conference

MEC Carnival organised to support Omani Cancer Association

Centre for Academic Writing organized CAW Day

MEC students and staff participate in Slush 2017

Workshop on E-resources Facility organised by PG studies


The Art, Culture and Photography Society organized a workshop titled ‘Basics of Photo Editing’ presented by EFIAP/B Ali Al Ghafri at the college campus on 11th December 2017. The workshop aimed to increase students’ knowledge and skills in the field of photo editing.

Coventry University, UK and MEC, Oman organized the Alumni Networking event on 10th December 2017 at Grand Hyatt Hotel. The event was held with the aim of bringing together the alumni of both the institutions, at one place, to create and maintain the good relationships between them.

MEC hosted the 4th International Conference on Education Technologies organized by the Omani Society for Educational Technology from 17th to 19th December 2017, at the MEC Student Hub. The event was held under the auspices of Dr. Ali bin Suad Al Bimani, Vice-President of Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) and attended by eminent people from academic institutions from other Gulf countries.

The Industry Engagement, Placement and Entrepreneurship Office organized a workshop titled ‘The 7 Things to Do When You Want to Give Up’, which was presented by Omar Al Bahri on 20th December 2017 at MEC’s Student Hub.

MEC hosted an event titled ‘Darbak Khadhar’ (your way is green) organized by Youth Vision on 31st December 2017 at MEC’s Student Hub. The event aimed to showcase the different experiences of well-known people.

The Centre for Foundation Studies (CFS) organized the Anti-Plagiarism Infomercials Festival on 19th December 2017 at MEC’s Student Hub. The event aimed at raising awareness on the dangers of plagiarism. The message was conveyed through innovative and interesting videos created by GFP students.

‘Basics of Photo Editing’: A workshop on Photo Editing MEC hosts the 4th International Conference of Education Technologies organised by Omani Society for Educational Technology

‘The 7 Things to Do When You Want to Give Up’ Workshop

Alumni networking event held by Coventry University and MEC

‘Darbak Khadhar’; A Youth Vision event at MEC The Anti-Plagiarism Infomercials Festival


MEC hosted a workshop related to leadership and entrepreneurship, conducted by the Small and Medium Enterprises Fund, Oman, at the MEC campus on 17th and 18th December 2017. The workshop aimed to develop the leadership and entrepreneurship skills in the students and provide them with guidance in this field.

The Management Studies Department (MSD) organized a Meet and Greet event with industrial guests from different industrial institutions, on 20th December 2017. The event aimed to strengthen the relationships with the industries to enrich students’ experience at MEC.

MEC hosted the Academic Probation workshop conducted by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) on 25th of December 2017 at the Student Hub. The event was held under the auspices of Dr. Abdullah Al Sarmi, Undersecretary of MOHE, in the presence of academic representatives from different higher education institutions in the Sultanate.

MEC hosted a Blood Donation Camp on campus, as part of Al Seeb’s Blood Donation campaign, at the MEC Student Hub on 27th December 2017.

The MEC IEEE Student Branch organized a beach cleanup activity at Al Barka on the 24th of December 2017. The event aimed to raise the students and community’s awareness about the importance of protecting and caring about the environment.

The Computing Department organized a Poster Presentation event for the students of Computing programmes, on 27th December 2017, at the MEC Plaza.

The Quality Assurance Office (QAO) organized an Information Security Management System (SMS) Internal Auditor training for MEC staff, in compliance with ISO 27001:2013 on 24th December 2017.

The Leadership and Entrepreneurship workshop

MSD organizes a Meet and Greet event

MEC hosts the Academic Probation workshop organised by Ministry of Higher Education

Blood donation campaign organised MEC IEEE Student Branch organizes a Beach cleanup event

Project presentation held for students of Computing department

QAO organizes SMS Internal Auditing training


The DHOW team

• Aysha Al Wahibi

• Deepali Bhatnagar

• Priya Mathew

• Dr. Radhika Narayanan

• Ritesh Rajendran

• Mohammed Halawa

november ecember 17 the dhow - middle east collegeportal.mec.edu.om/dhow/thedhow_nov_dec...

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