Study in Oman
Oman: The new study destination
While Oman is emerging as a new study destination, women in Oman are also coming out and enrolling in various study programmes.
Higher education in Oman takes place at one of the country’s universities. While the university “ system is relatively new, with the first university opening in the 1980s, it has proven to offer a solid educational experience for those who choose to study within the country.
Studying in Oman gives students a chance to experience life in a thriving Arab culture. Students enjoy more freedom of religion and commerce in Oman than they may experience in other Arabic countries, which adds to the appeal of studying in this country. Also, most degree programmes are taught in English, making it easier for many international students to attend school and understand what is being taught.
Because Oman is an Islamic state, the academic calendar follows the Islamic calendar, with time off for major Islamic holidays. Many schools break the year into three trimesters, with the first beginning in August or September and running until December or January, followed by a semester that starts in late February and runs through late April, and a short semester beginning in June and running through the month of July or August.
The cost for tuition in Oman is not set by the state, and as such will vary depending on the programme of study and the university chosen. As an example, the annual fee for a Bachelor’s degree at one of Oman’s colleges is 1800 OMR, in addition to a 100 OMR caution deposit. Cost of living is cheaper in Oman than in other Middle Eastern countries in most instances.
Because Oman has several universities, study opportunities for international students are quite varied. A strong focus on business, technology and engineering is found in many of the schools in Oman, undergraduate degree applicants must pass a Higher Secondary or Equivalent Examination before applying, and some schools have a maximum age for expatriates entering full-time programmes. Each programme will have its own unique requirements, including testing and minimum scores, for international students who are entering the programme.
Studying in Oman gives students a chance to experience life in a thriving Arab culture; students enjoy more freedom of religion and commerce here than in other Arabic countries.
OPENING UP NOW FOR WOMEN
A recent report by the World Bank stated that women outnumber men in universities, with an average of 108 women attending university for every 100 men across the Middle East. In Oman that figure is slightly countries higher, with 137 women pursuing tertiary education for every 100.
In a class that features 30 students, at least 80 per cent of them will be women, especially in fields such as biotechnology. The reason for this is that women here prefer to study first and get employment later, but most males prefer to finish their diplomas and undergraduate studies and get a job immediately.
If one has to look at the service industry, a lot of jobs are dominated by women. Walk into any bank, or any office that is run by Omantel or Ooredoo and it’s mostly women behind the desks, which is actually a good trend to see.
Many of the undergraduate programmes in Oman have enrollment numbers featuring more women than men. Some core occupations, such as civil engineering and manufacturing, will always be male-dominated, but women doing better in the classrooms, is translating into more women excelling at work as well. Women know that it is not very easy for them to get a job, and they realise that working hard in the classroom will give them a better chance outside. And that’s the reason, they are working really hard towards creating better future opportunities for themselves.
WOMEN POWER
EDUCATIONAL TREND
in a class that features 30 students, at least 80 per cent of them will be women in Oman, especially in fields such as biotechnology. The reason for this is that women here prefer to study first and get employment later, but most males prefer to finish their diplomas and undergraduate studies and get a job immediately.PROFESSIONAL TREND
If one has to look at the trends in the service industry, a lot of jobs are dominated by women now. Walk into any bank, corporate, or any office that is run by Omantel or ooredoo, and it’s mostly women behind the desks – a trend which is being well received by everyone