Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Symposium on Technological Development: Challenges and Perspectives @ SCAS, Sohar,Oman









The two day knowledge extravaganza at Sohar College of Applied Sciences, Sohar, Oman, on the 12th and 13th of April 2010 presented plethora of issues targeting the higher education sector. The academia from the Arab World addressed issues pertaining to different domains of technology, viz. electronic learning, novel learning methodologies, the sphere of the applied sciences, engineering and technology and business studies.The cross section of the presenters comprising of on stage and poster presenters detailed the nuances either in the form of research paper, case study or a mixed of both.Yours truly presented a case study titled, "A Case Study on Technology and Higher Education in the 21st Century"(abstract attached alongside this blog) presented real life experiences encountered in the Arab World as a faculty and corporate trainer.The major takeaways for yours truly were, usage of e-learning as a blended tool, the need for a perfect relationship between teaching faculties and laboratory attendants, as in the era of technology driven education it is important for the duo to compliment each other, rather than compete with each other.The big list of takeaways also entailed the need for the academic administrators to understand the importance of technology, thereby sourcing the state-of-the-art technologies and alter the same from time to time, rather than keeping them stagnant for a longer period of time.Moreover, the importance of training so as to imbibe the technological tools in the repertoire of all the stakeholders involved in the higher education sector needs to be understood locally and on an one to one basis, rather than a one size fits all.The snaps from the conference and Sohar is present in the following link-http://picasaweb.google.com/117563529873132697910/SymposiumSoharCollegeOfAppliedSciencesOman#The certificate can be viewed from the link http://manishankarthetrainer.blogspot.com/2009/09/details-of-conference-participation-at.html
Kudos to the SCAS, Sohar Team and the Ministry of Higher Education, Oman for conducting an excellent knowledge generating and disseminating platform!
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