The emotions associated with being a college lecturer, imparting knowledge across various courses and subjects, remain somewhat uncertain to me. 

Nevertheless, I find great enthusiasm when I’m confident about the topic I’m teaching.

Stepping into the college environment for the first time, on the first morning, for the first class, and meeting students for the very first time can be an incredibly restoring experience. 

“Where should I begin in my inaugural lecture?” was the question I pondered. I eagerly awaited to discover what the students expected from me.

In that moment, assuming the role of an academic lecturer, I contemplated my new responsibility. It became apparent to me that this generation of students, these very individuals, should be nurtured in a way that they can take pride in themselves, and that our nation, Oman, can take pride in their achievements upon their graduation.

It transcends the subjects chosen by college students; it’s more than the coaching they receive from academic lecturers. 

It’s about their “dreams,” hidden within the pages of textbooks, waiting for the day they will become a reality. 

It’s about their personal “goals,” concealed in the experiences and words shared by academic lecturers in each class.

Visiting the college library was an entirely distinct experience. Despite the availability of numerous online resources and digital libraries, there’s something special about sitting, reading, and engaging in academic research within the confines of a library. 

I vividly recall my first day entering the college library. I selected a marketing book and turned to the chapter on “promotion management” to prepare for my upcoming class.

While immersed in my reading, I observed students engrossed in their books, diligently flipping pages. This moment transported me back to my own college days. 

At that instant, I felt like two individuals—the first, a student from the past, poring over books in the library for assignments, and the second, the present me, engaged in academic research and preparing to teach a subject in the classroom.

Having witnessed the complexities of the job market, various industries, diverse professions, and the multifaceted methods of achieving goals, I believe that it’s now the right time to acquaint these students with the real world and the need to prepare for it.

Doesn’t it seem like a valuable proposition to blend theoretical knowledge with practical insights from different industries? Undoubtedly, this approach holds immense merit.

The writer is an Academic Lecturer and Advisor at Oman College of Management and Technology