Deakin partners with Oman to boost education

Deakin University has raised its profile in the booming Middle East region through a partnership with the government of neighbouring Oman.

Deakin lecturer in organisational psychology, Josephine Palermo, is leading a four-year training and development program to help lift Oman's technical colleges up to international standards.

As part of a partnership with Oman's Ministry of Manpower, Dr Palermo and her team are developing the professional capacity of staff within the Ministry and at seven Colleges of Technology in Oman.

"We are implementing a model that will help Oman gain the skills and capacity it needs to deliver an education system that is comparable to anywhere in the world," Dr Palermo said.

"It's significant because that part of the world really is very focussed on its health and education and to lifting its world health indicators.

"Oman is also growing in importance in the global economy so it is in everyone's interests for them to develop an education system of international standard.

"Ultimately, it will help Oman link into the rest of the world through education."

Dr Palermo said being involved at a government level in Oman had exposed Deakin to a large network throughout the Middle East and had increased the University's profile across the region.

She said that in the past, Oman had imported many of its education programs. "But they are aware that if they continue to use an imported model, they could be putting their national heritage at risk," Dr Palermo said.

The Deakin model developed for Oman's colleges has the potential to be used in other developing countries aiming to lift educational standards.