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MEC organized ‘MEC Knowledge Alliances 2021’ (MECKA 2021) from 2 March to 3 March 2021. The symposium was organised online and was aimed at fostering innovations and strengthening the cooperation between the college and its key stakeholders from industry, policymakers, entrepreneurs and other knowledge partners. The event saw a plenary session, 5 technical sessions and 2-panel discussions spanning over the two days with 12 guests from various sectors in Oman.
Dr Badar Al Mandhari, Executive Vice President for Strategic Affairs, Oman Group for Communications and Information Technology, delivered the plenary session, which focused on the topic ‘The Fourth Industrial Revolution and future of jobs’.
The event saw five Technical sessions where experts delivered inspiring talks on key topics. Mr. Ahmed Al-Rumhi, Engineering Manager, Space Communication Technology delivered a talk on Omansat & the next generation of Telecom Satellites. Mr. Sachin Toprani, CEO of SACTECH gave a talk on the Impact of disruptive technologies on industry 4.0 jobs. Dr. Hamood Al Kharusi, CEO of Transformation Pioneers delivered a talk on Employability skills in the new normal for Business Studies. Dr. Hilal Saif Al Dhamri, GM-Manufacturing, Oman Cement Company and Eng. Muhannad Al Lawati, Plant Manager, Oman Cable jointly delivered a talk on Employability skills and opportunities for Civil and Mechanical Engineering graduates, and Mr. Ishaq Al Suqri, Director of Records Management Department, Oman Broadband delivered a talk on Future job skills in the Documents and Archives sector.
The first panel-discussion chaired by Dr. Anupam Srivastav, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Middle East College, focused on The Future of Engineering education to meet Industry 4.0. The panel members included Eng. Salim Al Emrani, CEO of Golden Triangle Engineering Consultancy, Eng. Qasim Al Lawati, CEO of Gulf Engineering Projects and Eng. Sreejith Kesavan, CEng MCIOB MIMechE (Oman Country Representative Institution of Mechanical Engineers) and Business Development and Proposals Manager, The Oman Construction Company, Dr Ram Kishore, Dr. Fiseha Guangul, and Mr. Muhammad Bashir from Middle East College.
The second panel-discussion chaired by Dr. Ahmed Nawas Hakro, Associate Dean, Research and Innovation at MEC focused on the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in IT and Management. Way forward!. The panel included Mr. Sanjeev Madavi, Chief Digital Transformation Officer for Khimji Ramdas Group and Mr. Mohammed Al Wahaibi, CEO of Al Jabr Mena and Co-Founder of Al Rudha, Dr. Deena R and Mr. Mohammed Abdul Azeem from Middle East College
Dr. Anupam Srivastav expressed his happiness over the outcome of the event and said, “The Knowledge Alliance meet provided a platform for meaningful interactions, networking opportunities, and knowledge sharing. This event’s theme was the most apt for the immediate and future needs of the education sector in general and MEC in particular. The eleven high profile speakers from various industry sectors emphasized the importance of strengthening the curriculum with IR 4.0 technologies and pointed out that soft skills like communication skills, teamwork, critical thinking and analytical skills can be further developed in the students to equip them for their careers. The meet also reaffirmed the requirement for creating ecosystems that promote startups and other entrepreneurial ventures. Personally, this event has been tremendously beneficial since I was able to closely interact with industry leaders and get a firsthand insight into their perspectives on the readiness and expectations of the local industry concerning IR 4.0.”
MECKA 2021 was a successful initiative that provided the college with an excellent forum for knowledge sharing and strengthening their collaboration with industry and other key partners. The college regularly takes up such initiatives to further strengthen its academic programmes and prepare future generations for Industry 4.0.
