MUSCAT: Duqm University College organised today at the Special Economic Zone at Duqm a partnership forum with work sectors under the title ‘Work-Based Learning’, aiming to enhance cooperation between academic institutions and economic and industrial sectors, and to introduce an innovative educational model linking academic study with practical application in actual work environments.
The organisation of the forum coincides with the launch of operations at Duqm University College, which is the first higher education institution in Al Wusta Governorate, in a step aimed at supporting the higher education system in the region, preparing qualified national competencies to meet job market needs, and keeping pace with the accelerated economic and investment growth witnessed in the Special Economic Zone at Duqm.
The forum highlighted the work-based learning model adopted by the college as one of the leading educational models, and the first of its kind at the level of the GCC countries in bachelor’s degree programmes that adopt training and learning within actual work environments as the primary path of study, alongside academic education within the campus.
This model aims to develop an integrated educational system in partnership with institutions and companies operating across various economic sectors, enabling students to acquire professional experiences during their study period, apply theoretical knowledge in addressing practical challenges, develop innovation and problem-solving skills, and enhance their readiness to enter the job market after graduation.
The forum sought to strengthen the partnership between the college and public and private sector institutions, explore cooperation opportunities in providing educational and training environments for students, and link academic programmes to the actual needs of economic sectors, particularly the industrial, logistical, and service sectors witnessing continuous growth in the Special Economic Zone at Duqm.
In its first phase, Duqm University College is offering two academic programmes in partnership with Coventry University in the United Kingdom: Bachelor of Science with Honours in Digital and Technology Solutions, and Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Business Administration and Leadership, as part of its endeavour to provide specialisations compatible with the requirements of economic development, technological transformations, and job market needs.
The establishment of Duqm University College constitutes a qualitative addition to the system of educational services in the Special Economic Zone at Duqm, in light of the expansion in industrial, logistical, and investment projects it is witnessing, and the growing need for specialized human competencies, thereby enhancing the integration of economic and social development in Al Wusta Governorate.
The organization of the forum comes within the framework of the college’s orientation toward building sustainable partnerships with institutions and companies operating within the Special Economic Zone at Duqm and beyond, in alignment with the targets of Oman Vision 2040 in developing education, empowering youth, enhancing the alignment of educational outputs with job market requirements, and supplying the national economy with qualified competencies possessing knowledge and practical experience.