Salalah, Oman — The University of Nebraska at Omaha’s International Programs and its International Professional Development (IPD) Program represented both UNMC and UNO in Salalah, Oman, in October.
Intensive English instructor Asta Reiff facilitated a successful “Teaching with Technology” workshop, first to faculty at Dhofar University and then to a large cohort of teaching assistants. The interactive workshop provided participants with practical ideas for using technology in content instruction, for collaboration, and for student projects.
Reiff said teaching in Oman was enlightening.
“This invaluable experience has highlighted the importance of intercultural competency in my teaching practice,” she said. “The ability to identify differences yet build on commonalities is a skill we must develop in order to be successful in this interconnected world.”
The workshop was likely the first in a series that IPD will coordinate with Dhofar University, which has been a valued global partner of UNO for three years.
Said B.J. Reed, senior vice chancellor for academic affairs at UNO, “The IPD program is central to our overall effort to assist professionals across the globe to improve their proficiency in English to increase their effectiveness in working with predominantly English-speaking countries. Oman has been a wonderful partner with UNO and we are excited for new opportunities going forward.
Dr. Khalid Almashikhi, acting dean of the UNO College of Arts and Applied Sciences at Dhofar University, and Bruce Grogan, interim director of international programs at UNO and director of international health and medical education at UNMC, met with numerous representatives of the university to advance this partnership between Dhofar University and UNO.
They also discussed increasing the number of Omani students at UNMC through nursing and public health programs, which are of great interest to Omani students.
Students from Oman can be seen throughout UNO’s campus. They currently are enrolled in ILUNO Intensive English, undergraduate and graduate programs with about 150 Omani students enrolled in classes this fall. There also are options for students to study abroad in Oman through UNO Education Abroad.
There also is a smaller Omani presence at UNMC: two students are enrolled in the College of Public Health’s Master’s in Public Health Program, and one is enrolled in the College of Nursing’s Doctor of Philosopy Program. Twenty-two students from Oman have come to the medical center for clinical rotations, and nine students from UNMC have traveled to Oman for month-long clinical experiences.