CHOOSING WHAT AND WHERE TO STUDY The following article (compiled by the Directorate-General of Scholarships, Ministry of Higher Education - MoHE) is aimed to help scholarship applicants – who will soon be able to make changes in their ranked preferences through the Higher Education Admissions Center (HEAC) electronic system – make relatively more well-informed choices while applying for a scholarship for entry at undergraduate level. “Ever since I was a child, I have always wanted to study Economics while my parents have always been supporting me in trying to become what I have always dreamt of”, says Anaitra Al Busaidi, an external scholarship student who has just completed her first semester of her freshman year at the University of Michigan-Dearborn in the U.S. As a student who just graduated from school, you might know exactly what you want to study but perhaps you are not quite sure just yet. It can indeed be a challenge to have to decide what and where to study in the nearby future. Today, there are so many options to choose from, while at the same time you probably start to ask yourself many questions. Which subjects really interest and suit me? ; What are my talents? ; What does the society and what do my parents and other relatives advise me and/or encourage me to do? ; What do I want and what will keep me motivated? Should I study in Oman or abroad?; Am I interested in Engineering, Law, Science or Economics or something else?; What kind of work could I possibly do after graduating from a higher education institution?; What does the Oman economy and the world of work need?; What if I now choose this major and later on I will discover I actually want tostudy something different? To name just a few questions that probably will cross your mind while making these important decisions related to what to study and where. Every student hopes to and feels he or she is expected to immediately find a course that matches their interests, career aspirations and talents, while there is not one course that equally suits everyone (which is why you are advised not to choose something just because “Your best friend or your cousin has been studying that programme at that particular University”). At the same time, it can also be challenging to find a course, University and/or study destination that will meet all your expectations. Especially when you decide to study abroad you should also “expect the unexpected” as you probably will initially face some challenges or even a ‘culture shock’ that eventually will help you develop strong hands-on skills and become more independent (in the sense of self-reliant) and mature. *//MAKING A WELL-INFORMED CHOICE//* Whatever you decide in terms of choosing your undergraduate program, higher education institution and/or study destination, it is important to base yourself on accessible, comparable and objective information while being aware of your individual needs, interests and the needs of the job market and the country as well. It is important to learn more about the structure of a degree programme; what kind of subjects you will take during the course and to be aware of program specific entry requirements. All this information can be obtained from the websites of reputable higher education institutions which are recognized and recommended by the MoHE. You should not hesitate to contact the program directors and/ or international affairs officers who work for these universities should you require more information about a certain program or even about practical matters such as finding a suitable accommodation. If you are not quite sure which universities have been selected for prospective scholarship students, then you can first contact the Directorate-General of Scholarships(see the contact details below). You can also ask one of the staff members to connect you with students who are currently studying a certain program and/or at a certain higher education institution you are interested to learn more about. Many students or even graduates would be more than happy to share their experiences with you while you can also find out where other Omani students ended up working after graduation. Taking an aptitude test may also help you in choosing a program that suits your particular capabilities and interests. It is important to not only consult your career advisor at school for more objective information but also to have an idea of (the future plans) for Oman by reading the newspapers and quality publications and beware of the national priorities and potential areas of economic growth. Perhaps you could even visit some companies or organizations and ask employees if they can provide you with more information about what kind of tasks they do. Although the information is available ‘out there’, it appears that some students sometimes still seem to have an either abstract (vague) and/or a romantic idea about a certain profession. To name just a few examples; jobs related to ‘popular’ programs such as, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering or Nanotechnology are sometimes associated with the dynamic life of the character who designs robots in the movie Iron Man. Some students think that if they will study Architectural Engineering they will become Architects – while these are two related yet different fields. Students also tend to think that, for example, Architects are always ‘drawing’ or outside their office busy with creating big new buildings while in reality, architects are often sitting behind their desk or in meetings; busy with solving problems. *//MOTIVATION//* An Omani student in Marine Engineering at the International Maritime College of Oman (IMCO) indicated several reasons why he chose to study this area of specialisation; “I enjoyed working with my hands since I was a small child; I learned how to build by using my own imagination as well as by using instructions provided by LEGO.” “To a lot of students Engineering is a subject that they have to complete for a brighter future, but to the other people it is an art that never ends. I chose this direction because the learning never ends thanks to the development of new tools and new engines for which someone has to use his or her hands” ,the student continues, who has both a (intrinsic) interest as well as a strategic interest in studying Engineering. While making your decision based on an awareness of the needs of the job market and the country, you should also take into consideration whether you have an (intrinsic) motivation or in other words; a strong interest in a certain subject – as this plays a very important role as well. “The starting point has to be the reasons for which a student is taking a particular course. These different purposes inevitably affect not just the degree of effort they will put into the course, but also the kind of effort”, says Professor Noel Entwistle, attached to the University of Edinburgh in the UK. You must also always bear in mind that not all higher educationinstitutions in or outside Oman apply the same teaching and learning methods; some are more academic-oriented or ‘theoretical’ whereas other higher education institutions are more practically oriented and the program will, for example, include an internship with a real company where you get the opportunity to apply your knowledge and test your skills… Some higher education institutions allow you to combine subjects from different areas of specialisation (the so-called multi-disciplinary approach) while others are more ‘focused’ on one particular subject. *//NO 100% GUARANTEES//* The subjects prospective scholarship candidates can choose from while applying for a scholarship at undergraduate (Bachelor) level - are in principle areas of specialisation that have been identified as national priorities and potential areas of economic growth. However, this does not mean that you as a student should not do your homework prior to choosing a particular subject. After all, in today’s ever changing world and the dynamic character of an economy it makes sense to be aware of the ‘situation’ while choosing your future career. You should be aware of what the country needs. “Guaranteed employability is something of the past” as Dr Jamil Salmi, an education economist and former advisor to the World Bank, puts it when we speak to him about future graduates. “Students must become proficient in studying the evolution of the job market to identify areas of high demand and economic sectors that are already saturated”, he continues. Also, when it comes to finding a suitable job - is all not just a matter of having a degree, but also a matter of attitude; employers increasingly look for people who are motivated and disciplined; people who do not only have technical knowledge and competencies but who also possess so-called generic or transferable skills, such as problem-solving and critical thinking skills, communication skills and the ability to work in a team. You are expected to develop most of these generic skills at your University. Your job – together with your advisors - as a prospective undergraduate student is to find the program, higher education institution/and or study destinations which most closely matches all your needs and capabilities. When choosing an institution, you need to consider what you really want to get from studying that particular program at that particular institution in Oman or in that particular country. Doing some research and asking lots of questions is important. Do not limit yourself by only ranking options you already know about or perhaps because other people are familiar with them. For more information about the programs, higher education institutions and study destinations you can choose from while applying for a scholarship, you can post a question in either Arabic or English on our Oman Ministry of Higher Education Facebook page. Or send an email to [email protected] to get connected to the right person in either the internal or external scholarship dept for undergraduate studies.
Posted on: Sun, 21 Jul 2013 07:27:58 +0000
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