Oman Tourism College partners with Dublin Institute of Technology

MUSCAT, Oman – Oman Tourism College has introduced two new programs in Event Management and Tourism and Hospitality Management for the new academic year 2014-15, by partnering with the Dublin Institute of Technology, Ireland.

Admissions are now open for BSc (Hons) and Diploma in Event Management, which is in the final stages of approval as well as the BSc (Hons) and Diploma in Tourism & Hospitality Management. The Event Management programme is the first of its kind in Oman which focuses on the growing events sector.

“Graduates of these programmes will be able to find attractive employment prospects locally and internationally and the degree is awarded by the Dublin Institute of Technology. The BSc in Events Management aims to develop professionals armed with appropriate skills to plan, organise and manage various types of events, both in public and private sectors,” said Dr Shoba Zachariah, assistant dean at Oman Tourism College, adding, that the intake for both is limited to 50 students.

The full-time BSc (Hons) is a four-year course, while the diploma is a two-year programme. Part-time options are also available. “The programme is a combination of theoretical and practical modules, with more emphasis on practical aspects and core skills. All the stages from planning, designing, organizing and managing conventions, conferences, entertainment and sporting events, festivals and exhibitions from inception to completion are emphasised,” Dr. Zachariah added.

There are also compulsory Professional Internship modules worth 20 credit points.

Candidates of any nationality who have completed 12 years of schooling with Higher Secondary Diploma or equivalent can apply for admission.

Applicants who have completed their secondary school education in English or having an IELTS score of at least 6 may be allowed to proceed directly to the Bachelors/Diploma programmes.

Commenting further on career prospects, Dr. Zachariah noted, “The international events industry is expanding rapidly and includes a range of corporate and government sponsored entertainment and sporting events. The event industry in Oman is also set to grow rapidly and recently the scale and complexity of events have increased considerably. A number of tourism and hospitality projects are being undertaken to develop the country’s MICE offerings, including the expansion of airports in Muscat and Salalah, construction of international hotel chains such as Jumeirah Resorts, Kempinski and the new Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre, which is due for completion in late 2016. All this will create high demand for professionally trained candidates.”

The College’s Internship and Placement Unit arranges for the placement of students for their internship as well as after graduation in coordination with the industry.