University of Nizwa Hosts Seventh Netzwerk Deutsch Oman Meeting
With the German Embassy and Goethe-Institut
The College of Arts & Sciences at the University of Nizwa hosted the seventh meeting of Netzwerk Deutsch Oman, the gathering of German-language teachers in the Sultanate of Oman, under the motto "Deutsch verbindet Menschen und Kulturen" (German connects people and cultures), bringing together the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Muscat, the Goethe-Institut, DAAD, the German-Omani Society and other partners. This initiative reflects the University of Nizwa’s leading role in advancing foreign language education and fostering international academic partnerships in Oman.
Zainab Al Balushi, a final-year student of German Language and Translation at the University of Nizwa and a member of the organising team, said her role was "mainly creative," as she designed the event's visual identity and prepared the attendance badges, the official agenda, giveaways, gifts and participation certificates. She also produced a video on the experiences of Omani students who took part in the exchange programme with the University of Hamburg. She said her aim was "to create a consistent look that reflected the spirit of the event, with careful attention to quality and detail."
Prof. Issa Al-Amri, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, opened the programme, followed by introductory remarks from Her Excellency Monika Iwersen, the German Ambassador to Oman. Sessions covered updates from the Goethe-Institut on the PASCH school partnership initiative, news from DAAD and GUtech, and the current activities of the German section at the University of Nizwa. Participants discussed teaching German in Omani schools, including ways to develop teaching methods and overcome the challenges learners face. Further sessions addressed internship placements, cultural exchange programmes and partnerships, and joint activities for learners of German across Omani universities, while exchange students from Hamburg and Nizwa shared their experiences.
Al Balushi said the experience taught her that "design and organisation are not only about aesthetics. They are also tools for communication and engagement," noting that working to deadlines as part of a team sharpened her time management, coordination and accuracy. "Learning a language goes far beyond vocabulary and grammar. It means understanding a culture, building connections with its speakers and making room for genuine human exchange," she added, expressing pride in contributing to Netzwerk Deutsch and looking forward to supporting future initiatives that bring Oman and Germany closer together.
