Transforming the World Through Education
Welcome to the College of Education website as we recognize our 25th anniversary. This is a major milestone in the development of our programs and the assessment of our progress. Our mission has always been to work collaboratively with all the agencies and groups in Oman who want the best education for our children. This past year we revised our Vision and Mission statements both in Arabic and English. It is important here however to focus on the Mission statement:
“The College of Education is committed to preparing distinguished graduates in teaching, training, counseling and research, through undergraduate and postgraduate programs. The College strives to be a center of excellence that uses scientific research to develop sustainable systems and programs that meet the needs of society while also fostering its values.”
The work of an education college directly affects the future of the society it serves. The Sultan Qaboos University College of Education has served a vital role in the transformation of education in Oman. Since its inception in 1986 the College of Education has worked closely with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education to prepare and train teachers and professionals needed for the expansion and development of the Omani education system.
Over the past 25 years we have worked to educate excellent teachers who can prepare Omani children for the demands of their adult lives. The significant changes that occurred in Oman during those years motivated the four previous deans to transform our programs and expand the scope of our research. Dean Shibiny opened the college in 1986 with 252 students. At that time we had 10 programs. The first graduate program began in 1992 under Dean Shibiny as well. When Dean Teaima assumed the deanship in 1996, we enrolled 2908 students in 12 programs. Between 1998 and 2004, Dean Ali Madkour oversaw the launch of 10 new undergraduate programs. During these years, the enrollment increased to 4503 students. Dean Salha Issan in 2004 further expanded our programs, increased our enrollments and developed our international research partnerships. Under their leadership, the College has become the premiere educational research institution in Oman. Our graduates not only teach throughout the Sultanate but hold positions in government agencies and private business and institutions.
In December 2010, we graduated 711 students from 21 undergraduate and 8 master’s programs. Our continuing role has several facets: education of teachers and administrators, research, international collaboration and modeling of excellence in developmentally appropriate educational settings and practices. Now as we look to the future as detailed in Vision 2020, we are designing and implementing new programs that will help assure that all Omanis have the expertise needed to assure Oman’s viability in the international marketplace. Our research and program development are focused on understanding how teacher education, teaching practice, and curriculum materials are affecting children’s learning. Some examples of new programs and projects are listed below:
- New MS in Physical Education.
- New PhD in English Language Learning.
- New MEd in Islamic sciences.
- New PhD in Curriculum & Instruction (Science, Math, Islamic Education, Arabic Education and Social Studies Education).
- New PhD in Educational Administration.
For the first time the college won the prestigious HM grant in 2010 and now I am proud to announce that we have presented an impressive number of four grant proposals for 2011 funding period. We are moving along spreading the culture of research collaboration.
When you see yourself in the role of an undergraduate or graduate student, faculty member or collaborator working toward excellence in education transformation, please contact us. We look forward to working with you as we address issues and solve problems critical to the future of education in Oman, in the Gulf and around the world.
Dr. Thuwayba Al Barwani
Dean of Education