The TWC Leading Academic Services Center
Rawan Al Nadabi
We are here to help you improve! this is the slogan the Writing Center (TWC) has approached its services with since 2009. The TWC is a reflection of the University’s pioneering role in establishing the first writing center of its kind at the level of the Sultanate of Oman academic institutions.
The University seeks to provide a parallel learning environment, Prof. Mohamed Abdul Moniem Ismail, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs, said “The University is keen to provide not only classrooms but also an integrated education and learning environment”. The TWC’s purpose is to assist students with improving their writing proficiency so that learners would be capable of excelling in their academic studies by enhancing their writing and communication skills in the English language.
Peer tutors are TWC’s focal point. Derek O’Connell, Director of the Student Success System, said, “The peer tutors in the center are outstanding performance students with high GPAs” He highlighted that the University was the first academic institution to appoint students for a peer tutor role.
To maintain the competency of peer tutors, peer tutors had to attend frequent seminars and workshops conducted by the centre’s instructor. Since its inception in 2009,193 peer tutors had been appointed.
Peer tutoring has been the number one choice for students who reached the center’s services, O’Connell shared, “The students preferred the peer tutors and see them as role models for their competency”
TWC has been a pioneering example for various institutions. It is the greater center in size and services provided at the level of the Middle East region. Dr Dana Lynn Driscoll, Associate Professor of English at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, said during her visit in 2016, “The University of Nizwa is a world-class writing center, not only in the Middle East but also by the United States and global standards”.
Idris Al Rayami, University alumni, speaking to Ishraqah about his experience as a peer tutor, said, “The TWC provided me with skills of communication, and time management” “Being a peer tutor at the TWC is one of the reasons for who I am today, and where I have reached” he added.
Idris spoke proudly about his experience in the TWC as it is considered to be the first established center of this nature in the Sultanate of Oman.
The wide range of services was not only exclusive to the university affiliates but also to the community. This tremendous effort reflects the university’s vision to be a beacon of enlightenment by providing additional learning opportunities beyond regular classes.
