The Engineering Department of Shinas College of Technology, on 22nd April 2015 very proudly and successfully launched the “STEP: Step Towards Endurable Partnership” platform to bring together the Academia and Industry sector. Various avenues of collaboration for mutual benefit and leading towards national socio-economic development are to be explored under the long lasting partnership between Academia and Industry.

STEP, which is going to be an annual event, commenced this year with its theme ‘Building Academia-Industry Partnership’. With the help of the ‘On Job Training’ department of the college, decision makers, managers, and engineers from the public sector and private sector industries in Al Batinah province were invited to take part in discussions on the programs, specializations and courses offered by the Engineering Department of Shinas College of Technology.

The proceedings began with recitation of verses from Holy Quran, which was followed by a welcome note presented by Mr. Ali Al Alawi, Assistant Dean Student Affairs.

Dr. Mohammed Al Washahi, Head of the Engineering Department in his elaborative presentation, introduced the visitors to the academic system, program structure, and specializations offered by the Engineering Department. He also drew the attention of the representatives of the industry sector to the areas of mutual cooperation with the institute. He thanked the representatives of industries for coming forward to join hands with the institute, in this initiative for endurable partnership.

Sixty-three dignitaries from twenty-nine establishments in the region shared their experiences and views with engineering faculty of the college. The discussions for Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering took place in parallel sessions and in a very sporting and conducive environment. Dr. Mahmoud Khazalah, HoS Civil Engineering, Mr. B. Kalyan Kumar, HoS, Electrical Engineering and Mr. Jamal Aslam, HoS, from Mechanical Engineering gave informative presentations about achievements of their respective sections and of the degree audit and course curriculums. A representative of the Quality Assurance Team of the department recorded every single feedback given by each of the participants during these sessions in the minutes.

The initiative to bring Academia and Industry to one platform received an excellent response from eminent personalities from the industrial sector and was highly appreciated. In the concluding session, Mrs. GogulaRadharani, QA coordinator of the Engineering Department, presented a summary of the feedback.The event concluded by appreciating the participation of the attendees and vote of thanks by Mr. Ali Al Alawi.

The program was coordinated by Industry Link Activity Committee of the Engineering Department, and it was supported by all staff of the Engineering Department as a team. Also, support from student volunteers from the Engineering Club in the organizationand even conduction of the event was very instrumental.