My time in SQU

Sultan Qaboos University is at the top of the academic institution in the Sultanate. There are wide facilities provided to students and staff. I have had the opportunity to work there for couple of months. The least I can say is that it is impressive. The laboratories are provided with the latest equipments and the most expensive materials and tools. Unfortunately, quite a good number of these equipments are not in use. This is simply because no one knows how to operate them or because the staffs there prefer to do it the old-fashioned way. Beside, the amount of work done in the laboratory as measured to the university capabilities is very disappointing. A lot of studies can be made with a bit of planning. In the lab there is the Dr/Professor busy with his/her students and the laboratory manager engaged in preparing experiment s for students while there is no one at all who carries research work. I think they should appoint research assistant to do studies. Actually they have a lot of postponed research work, so why not employ someone to do it! I have found that efficiency and accountability are least regarded. The logo is to do the work, doesn’t matter how you do it or the time taken to do it.
Yesterday, I’ve attended a play made by the students, I guess for the annual theatre exhibition. It was quite well presented with good performers whom I didn’t expect to find such level of sophisticated work on the stage. I can only say that SQU and Omanis in general are eager for voluntary work and they have the creativity and the enthusiasm. I have seen and observed a number of other student activities and seen their organized dedicated work. Again, as it is in this part of the world, time is of no value and the play actually started more than 40 minutes from its scheduled time.
I have also noted that the number of Omanis working in the university whether in the management, teaching or technical sectors is pretty high. It is quite occupied by Omanis, makes us proud with such institution.
I am glad to have such an insight into an outstanding university.

Back to Oman

I am back!

I apologize for the very few people who follow my blog. The last few months haven't been easy on me. I am in a transitional state regarding the two facets of life, the physical part of at as well as the inner part that resides inside me.
Luckily, there is no more mandatory study, only the part that I feel I need to gain more knowledge on, basically topics that are related to my specialty which is quite a lot knowing that I am an academic. The days of taking life easy departed and the time has came to experience the reality of life.

I have found out that there are three basic pillars of life Omanis have to consider once they are paid their first salary.
- First: buying a car to facilitate movement as the transport system here is not the best in the world! I miss the old days of Melbourne and UK. Beside, you will need to take extra precaution when driving as quite a large number of Omanis are reckless drivers. Personally, I managed to get hold of my license 3 months ago and with the help of my bro I bought my first car!
Car is done!

Second: Getting married. Once employed, the family automatically starts hunting for a suitable wife. As it is known, there is no choice (applies to the majority, hopefully me not included) regarding the person you are bound to spend the rest of life with. Family exhibits a list of possible candidates and you take your pick. I am not yet in this stage! I asked for a postponement, not ready for nagging, lol.

Third: Once the second step is over, housing comes last. I have already bought a small piece of land to build and spend the weekends in my village. Will have to rent a place in Muscat as most of my time will be working here.

This is the physical part of it. The list above is not exhausted, it is just the three most urgent things one must consider.

The second part of it will be published soon.
So keep checking.