Department of Professional Development and Humanities

Key features

For young people like yourselves, the years spent at the university are the most exciting years of life as it introduces you to platforms for self-growth and learning opportunities. We are committed to developing students who are natural and confident leaders with the ability to take decisions wisely as well as empower the community through their contributions. Thus, in order to develop well-rounded graduates, the department organizes annual events that connect you with people from both the national & the international community.

Industry Orientation Programme

Industry Orientation Programme (IOP) is a mandatory, non-credit-bearing programme for all students exiting at Level 2 with a Diploma award. It is specifically custom-designed for students exiting with a Diploma and who often do not get the opportunity to experience the Industry Placement which is generally offered at Level 3 / Level 4 as that’s when Industries prefer to have them. IOP provides these students a platform to get introduced to the industries and enable them to revisit and reinforce university to Industry transition and industry expectations. The Department of Professional Development & Humanities (PDH) has been running this programme since 2010 and has made incredible progress over the pandemic in coordinating the whole programme online with Industry support.

The objective of this programme is to provide diplomates the opportunity to


gain exposure to industrial practices through Guest Speakers

understand Health and Safety and Industry work culture during Industry visit

learn more about work culture and ethics through talks by HR professionals from Industry

gain greater awareness about working in teams on projects

take part in mock job interviews

update their CV and Linkedin Profiles

explore options of Volunteering and entrepreneurship

Women in STEM Empowerment Program

It is no secret that all over the world men outnumber women in the field of Science, Technology, Engineering and Medicine. According to aauw.org, ‘giving women equal opportunities to pursue — and thrive in — STEM careers helps narrow the gender pay gap, enhances women’s economic security and ensures a diverse and talented STEM workforce and prevents biases in these fields and the products and services they produce’. But most importantly your presence in STEM makes the sector more inclusive, makes the workplace a better place and you definitely will inspire generations to come. In Oman, the scenario is very different. We have more women opting for STEM careers but then once they have completed their Bachelors, they do not take up a career in STEM. To support the women in the STEM community, the department brings in role models from the industry, provides support to enhance your skills to sustain work-life balance and most importantly provides you with international and national opportunities to grow through our various activities throughout the year.

Report writing and Referencing workshops

We want our graduates to have a strong command over their academic writing skills, formatting large documents and most importantly understand research skills, staying organized and learning to reference and cite accurately we also want to you know different tools available online to simplify your referencing skills and writing skills such as Zotero, Mendeley and Endnote that are integrated with Refworks, and others sich referencing tools. This workshop is offered twice a year to anyone willing to enhance their writing skills.

Entrepreneurship Fair

The Department of Professional Development & Humanities is passionately committed to inspiring your creative minds to think about creative STEM solutions into a sustainable business venture to support the growing need of Small and Medium Businesses in Oman to support the national economy. There are many benefits of becoming an entrepreneur. While you get great social attention you also become a job provider instead of a job seeker. The government and non-government agencies in Oman are supporting the micro startups and several venture capitalists and angel investors have come forward to lend you a helping hand. To introduce you to this alternative career option, the department organizes various activities as listed below:

  1. Entrepreneurship skills Development Workshops in partnership with governmental agencies – These workshops provide the training, skills and information you need in patenting your innovation, legal, financial and rules related information
  2. Business Idea and Seed Funding Competitions: we invite students to present business ideas related to their discipline which aligns with the National Vision 2040 and the UN Sustainable Goals. If your business venture is related to robotics, agriventure, artificial intelligence, biomedical or similar innovations that the country needs for, there are more chances of winning the funding.
  3. Guest Speakers Talks on Start-ups: we connect you with prototyping agencies, bring in role models to talk to you about their entrepreneurial journey. You never know where the inspiration comes from.

Staff Development Workshops

The department also organizes all the year-round staff Development workshops and Student Development workshops. If you have the keenness to share your expertise in any academic and technological field that can help staff to enhance their digital presence, please drop us a mail at [email protected] or at [email protected].