Ishraqah Poll Reveals Overwhelming Success of University of Nizwa's Postgraduate Graduation Ceremony
Rawan Al Nadabi
The University of Nizwa recently celebrated the graduation of its 16th batch. On a glamorous night, students with master's degrees and higher diplomas were conferred their graduation certificates. It was a sight to behold as the esteemed alumni of the University donned their graduation gowns, radiating with pride and a sense of accomplishment.
The University's academic history is marked by this momentous occasion - the first graduation ceremony for these two degrees. Ishraqah has conducted a comprehensive opinion poll to gather feedback from graduates and decision-makers, which speaks volumes about the tremendous success of the ceremony.
Dr. Badria Hamed Al Ruqishi, Registrar of the University of Nizwa, speaking to Ishraqah, said “The postgraduate graduation ceremony has been scheduled in the academic calendar for the first time. The timing has been selected to coincide with the fall break week, which is expected to facilitate the success of the ceremony and make it more convenient for the graduates and enrolled University students”.
Dr. Al Ruqishi was asked if the second graduation ceremony would become a regular event in the academic calendar. In response, she explained “The University had decided to hold a second ceremony this year because of the large number of graduates. It would have been difficult to confer degrees to all of them on one night. Based on the statistics of the enrolled students, the chances are high that there will be a second ceremony next year”.
Omaima Al Toubi, an English Literature master's degree graduate, expressed her satisfaction with the organization of the graduation ceremony. She praised the administrators for their helpfulness, stating that they made the entire process smooth and stress-free for both the graduates and their families. From receiving the graduation gowns to finding our seats, everything was well-coordinated and executed flawlessly. She also added that the administrators were approachable, and friendly, and made her wish she had gotten to know them earlier.
When it comes to her educational journey, she expressed her initial hesitancy in applying to study her major at the University of Nizwa due to rumours that it wouldn't be beneficial. However, her academic journey proved that those rumours were misleading. Pursuing a master's degree in English at the University equipped her with the necessary skills to become a researcher. She learned the fundamentals of research from Dr. Serge Gabarre, and Dr Ma'teb, who was her thesis supervisor. Omaima was grateful for the knowledge imparted to her.
Hilal Al Sawafi, an Education in Psychological Guidance and Counseling Master degree graduate, expressed his pride and joy in graduating from such a prestigious institution, he said “It warms my heart to have graduated from the University, especially after the Chancellor announced in his speech that the University's ranking has significantly improved in the QS ranking. It was a great honour to have Her Excellency Dr. Laila Ahmed Al-Najjar, the Minister of Social Development, as the patron of the ceremony. This was particularly fitting as most of the graduates were majoring in human studies.
Regarding his educational journey, he mentioned that his batch witnessed both the period of online lectures during the pandemic and face-to-face lectures after the pandemic. The University demonstrated excellent coping mechanisms, which made it easy for him to obtain and understand the information. The instructors were approachable and provided him with guidance and knowledge. Graduating with a thesis as a requirement has opened up a world of opportunities for him to further his higher studies.
Shorouq Al Maktoumi, who graduated with a higher diploma, shared her thoughts about the graduation ceremony. She said, "The graduation was a remarkable and well-organized event. It made me feel that all the effort I put in had paid off. Studying at the University and earning a higher diploma in education programme has helped me greatly in my current role as a teacher”.
The University has recently announced new academic programs for master's degrees, with more to follow for Ph.D. degrees. Dr. Al Ruqishi specifically mentioned the new master's program in architecture and expressed optimism about upcoming Ph.D. programs. She advised everyone to stay tuned for the official announcement and to keep an eye out for further updates.
