|
A delegation from the University of Virginia Tech visits and learn about the experience of Dhad Institute.Written by Khalil AlHadrami Dhad Institute for TASOL at the Nizwa University received a delegation from the University of Virginia Tech from the United States of America on last Wednesday and Thursday, as a part of the program for this year's delegation. The delegation was received by the representatives of the Dhad Institute and the Department of Public Relations of the University. The first station of their visit was a welcome meeting in the presidency of the university including the Department of Public Relations and Vice President for Academic Affairs represented by Dr. Mohammed Ismail, the Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs. During the meeting they’ve discussed many topics related to the cooperation between the two universities in order to open new channels of communication in various academic fields. The Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs expressed his deep gratitude. After the meeting the delegation met Dr. Ghassan bin Hassan Al-Shater, the Dean of the Faculty of Science and Arts and also the Director of Dhad Institute for Arabic Language Education, they listened to the Director of the Institute who spoke during his meeting with the delegation about the offered courses by the Institute, academic programs, curriculum and study plans in teaching Arabic language to non-native speakers. Moreover, they are very attentive to the activities provided by the Institute to their students, including the program of the language partner, which undoubtedly fulfills the special needs of the language and cultural desired. The delegation toured the university corridors where they visited the writing center, they met with the director of the center Dr. Derek and the administrative staff. During the meeting, the delegation listened to a simplification about the programs offered by the center to the international students and the university students, provided by the Center of the Institute. The delegation then went to the Arabic calligraphy department and were greeted by Mr. Ali Mazeed, the supervisor of the Arabic calligraphy at the workshop. During the meeting, Mr. Mushref talked about the Arabic font types and the Arabic fonts in the design of the writing and the fact that Arabic calligraphy is associated with the Arabic art decoration, Mr. Al-Khattab spoke about the types of Arabic fonts, the fonts in the design of the writing, and the fact that Arabic calligraphy is associated with Arabic decoration, which is used to decorate mosques and palaces. On the following day, the delegation went to visit the Nizwa state, which was accompanied by Mr. Mohammed AlSayeghi representative of the public relations department of the university and their first place to visit was the old market of Nizwa and its historic fort. The delegation toured in the market and saw what is presented in the traditional products and craftsman. Oman is full of this market, a place to attract tourists and lovers of archaeological holdings, both inside the Sultanate and outside. As the delegation went on a sightseeing to the historical fort of Nizwa and listened to a brief summary about the history of the fort and the unique construction which dates back hundreds of years by the meticulous architecture of Oman and has become acquainted with the historical role of the fort through the ages. The delegation indicated their admiration for the programs and plans of the Institute; they conveyed their serious eagerness to cooperate with the Institute and the University. They were willing to send their students starting from the summer of 2018. They also discussed the academic benefit of studying at the University of Nizwa at the Dhad Institute, telling the guest to meet with a group of students to join the institute. At the end of their second day visit, the visiting delegation expressed their thanks and appreciation to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos for his great interest in the service of raising the Arabic language, which has a clear impact in promoting cultural exchange and rapprochement among different people. They also thank the Director of the Institute, the administrative and academic staff for their efforts in receiving them and in the success of the program. |