External Relations Office: Driving Force Behind University of Nizwa's Global Partnerships and Exchange Programmes.
Rawan Al Nadabi
The University of Nizwa has been making great strides in its student exchange programme, thanks to the dedicated efforts of the External Relations Office (ERO). Ishraqah showcases the accomplishments and duties of this office and highlights the valuable role it plays in fostering fruitful collaborations with other institutions. With a focus on building strong and lasting relationships with partners around the world, the External Relations Office is a crucial driver of the University's success on the global stage.
Since the University was established, the office responsible for external partnerships has undergone several changes and developments in names and structure to be recognized today as the External Relations Office and it was initially known by a different name. The change was made to accurately reflect its role at the University.
The External Relations Office is the driving force behind the University's interactions with external entities ranging from partner institutions and government agencies to industry stakeholders.
The office's goal is to encourage collaboration and create opportunities for mutual exchange programs and cooperation. Due to its strong relations with exchange programs, over 500 students have been able to take advantage of various opportunities. The University's commitment to partnerships is evident through the signing of more than 100 Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with both international and local associations. Currently, the University has over 55 active MOUs with different universities and organizations.
As part of these MOUs, around 50% of the associations have included a student exchange program, highlighting the University's commitment to providing students with international experiences.
Ahmed Al Dhakhri, the External Relations Officer, elaborated on the regulations governing the exchange programme and said “Exchange programs are open to all majors, meaning that students can choose any course as long as they can match it with courses required for their major at their home institute. If a student from the University of Nizwa wishes to participate in an exchange program, the first step is to ensure that the host university offers courses that align with the curriculum at the University of Nizwa. If there are relevant courses, the External Relations Office requests a syllabus for each to show the Head of Department (HoD) for feedback. The HoD will assess whether the course's educational value is equivalent to that provided by the University of Nizwa. If it is, the student can proceed with their chosen courses. If not, the student must find alternative courses. Exceptions are made for final-year students, who may only need to find two equivalent courses and can choose the remainder based on their interests. It is worth noting that this is part of the ERO's responsibilities.”
The office has been able to create numerous opportunities for students to participate in exchange programs and foster international collaborations. The University of Nizwa's commitment to global partnerships is evident through the many memoranda of understanding signed with international associations, which further emphasize the value of the External Relations Office's work.
