Middle East College doubles in size as it celebrates a decade of working with Coventry University

An Oman higher education college specialising in engineering, computing and technology courses, and where half the student body are women has doubled in size over the last 10 years.

Middle East College (MEC) in Muscat currently has over 5000 students (of whom 53% are women) - and is tomorrow (5 April) celebrating a decade of delivering courses in partnership with Coventry University in the UK.

Over 3000 students across all years are enrolled on Coventry-validated programmes focused on engineering, computing and technology.

Explaining MEC’s success and its commitment to quality and equality, Dr Kiran GR (Acting Dean) said:

We are a visible expression of higher education in 21st Century Oman and dedicated to supporting all students with quality education which prepares them for professional work within a modern learning environment.

We employ the latest teaching developments including the ‘flipped-classroom’ model, where the course content is also delivered over digital platforms but with ‘homework’ done as part of group teaching in a collaborative environment."

Coventry and MEC staff work together on projects to enhance teaching at the two organisations and in both organisations all academic staff are supported to secure teaching qualifications and membership of the Higher Education Academy.

Dr David Pilsbury, Coventry University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International) said:

This is a truly excellent example of two organisations working together in a large-scale and sustainable partnership that delivers high quality education experiences and makes a major contribution to the economy by providing the skills that industry needs.

The joint investment of human and financial resources by the two organisations to grow the partnership has been vital to its success – we are really pleased that our link tutors learn so much when they come to MEC, as well as contributing to the learning experience in Oman. 

 

It is a shared ambition of Coventry and MEC to open up access to HE to under-represented groups.”

As part of the partnership a number of MEC academics are also pursuing research studies in collaboration with Coventry and it is intended to establish a joint MEC/CU Doctoral Training Centre in Muscat.

The successful 10 year partnership between Coventry University and Middle East College is being celebrated at commemorative event held in Muscat on Wednesday 5 April 2017.

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For more information please contact the Coventry University press office at press.mea@coventry.ac.uk or call +44 (0) 24 7765 5050.