The Staff Development Committee, and the Research and Consultancy Committee of the Engineering Department organised a programme on “Recent Advancements in MEMS Technology” on 4 March 2021 from 2 to 2:30 pm. Mr S Aaron James, lecturer (Electronics and Communication Engineering), delivered the presentation for the benefit of the staff members. He started the lecture with the basic concept, advantages and disadvantages of MEMS Technology. His presentation mainly focused on recent advancements in different MEMS Devices and Modelling of MEMS using various software applications such as COMSOL Multiphysics and Ansys.
Automatic Negative Thoughts(ANTs) can be conscious or subconscious and occur as a response to everyday actions and events. These thoughts are overwhelming, irrational, self-defeating, and may fuel social anxiety disorder.
The English language centre at UTAS- Ibri hosted a webinar titled Managing Automatic Negative Thoughts on March 18, 2021.
Sandra Stein introduced her audience to various vital concepts that aid an individual in overcoming negative automatic thoughts.
Sandra Stein holds a Master's degree in Education in Teaching English as a Second Language. She is a senior instructor at the American University of Kuwait, teaching both English and Education courses. As an educator for thirty years, Sandra has 25 years of experience working with people with learning difficulties.
Ms Sandra, in her session, focused on scientifically sound methods that help manage ANTs: The positive posture method and the four-step method designed by Dr Daniel Amen to recognize ANTs, determine the kinds of ANTs, different ways to challenge the ANTs and turn them into positive thoughts. She also mentioned the pivotal role of self-awareness and self-development in eliminating negative thoughts.The takeaway of the session was rich and informative. The tips shared were well received by the audience and they extended their heartfelt appreciation.
The English Language Centre lauded the efforts of Ms. Sandra Stein and the Professional Development Committee for sharing an informative session on ANTs.
The Risk Management Committee of the Engineering Department organised an awareness programme entitled “Risk Identification Techniques” on Tuesday, 23 March 2021 from 11 to 11.30 am for diploma-level students.
MrJ.Stephen Leon, the lecturer in the Engineering Department, conducted the programme.
The programme started with an introduction about the need of risk identification. A brief introduction has been given on various steps involved in risk management such as risk identification, risk analysis, risk evaluation, risk treatment and risk monitoring.
Detailed explanation was given on a few risk identification techniques such as the Four Quadrant Scenario Analysis, Structured What-If Technique (SWIFT) and Failure Mode Effect Analysis. A practice exercise was given to the students to use the risk register in order to register the identified risk.
All the participants benefited from this programme.
The Information Technology Department’s Data Science Research Group coordinator, Ms Sana Fathima, organised Knowledge Sharing Session-2. The session was delivered by Dr Monther Muslim Al Taraweh on the topic Data Analysis using R.
Dr Monther explained about R, a programming language and software environment for statistical analysis, graphics representation and reporting. The seminar gave an introduction to R programming along with suitable examples in simple and easy steps. The core of R is an interpreted computer language which allows branching and looping as well as modular programming using functions. R allows integration with the procedures written in the C, C++, .Net, Python or FORTRAN languages for efficiency. R is a well-developed, simple and effective programming language which includes conditionals, loops, user defined recursive functions and input and output facilities.
Dr Monther also gave insights on how R is the world’s most widely used statistics programming language and a preferred choice of data scientists and supported by a vibrant and talented community of contributors. R is taught in universities and deployed in mission critical business applications.
The session was attended by 17 members from the Information Technology Department and provided an effective knowledge transfer.
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The event received 4.29 ratings.
The Information Technology Department of the University of Technology and Applied Science-Ibri participated in the Education, Engineering Education and Instruction Technology Conference, Qatar University, 20-23 February 2021. The conference included about 75 papers on different themes.
The Information Technology Department participated in two papers. Ms Nasim Al Balushi (Lecturer) presented her paper on “Using Online Assessments to Simulate Online Learning and The Achievement of Course Outcomes”. The abstract of her paper is in the history of development economics, where education has been thought of as a key factor in the basis of development. Extensive research has shown the importance of an effective assessment to achieve the outcomes of the course and assess the students based on the outcomes. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most academic institutions use online learning, thus there is a need for an effective mechanism of assessments to ensure the understanding of the students for the materials as the online teaching method is a new strategy for some institutions, and previously the assessments were conducted in the campus. Through some effective online assessment methodologies, academic institutions can qualify graduates to meet the needs of the labour market.
Dr Qais Al Janabi (Lecturer) and Dr Amal Al Abri (Head of IT) presented a paper titled “Toward an Adaptive MOOC Based on Omani Learners Learning Preferences”. The abstract of the presented paper is Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), and the concept is a significant recent development in distance learning and online course delivery. These provide distance learners with access to a vast amount of knowledge in an almost free and open environment. MOOCs are becoming a hot research topic recently due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to a great deal of online and asynchronous learning. Therefore, MOOCs’ concepts and methods have been intensively investigated, and it has become a trending research area aiming for radical changes to suit students of different levels of education. Despite the fast-growing and noble reputation gained in a short time and MOOCs attracting an enormous number of users, some limitations still need to be considered and managed to enhance such an open model of learning. In this study, MOOCs’ major issues will be highlighted based on reviewing some of the published related works.
The SDC and RCC of the Engineering Department organised a programme on “IoT sensors and smart sensors” as an initiation of TEQUP series on 10 March 2021 from 2 to 2.45 pm by Dr V. Ilankumaran, HoS/EEE (Engineering Department), delivered the presentation for the benefit of the staff members. He started the presentation by stating the special features of IOT sensors Smart sensors for IOE Industry IoT sensors (IIoT) and the practical implementation of sensors. His presentation was mainly focused on recent trends in current and evolving technologies and technical issues. A smart sensor also incorporates software-defined elements that provide functions such as data conversion, digital processing and communication to external devices. Finally, he briefed applications of sensors in various fields.
The SDC and RCC of the Engineering Department organised a programme on “ONLINE SCL METHODS” as an initiation of TEQUP series on 5 February 2021 from 2 to 2.25 pm by Mrs Lizette Ivy Catadman Pascual, lecturer (Engineering Department), delivered the presentation for the benefit of the staff members. She started the presentation by stating the special features of underlying principles and strategies involved in the instruction for SCL and components of the practical implementation. Her presentation was mainly focused on recent trends in current student activities and their aim and objectives other evolving technologies and technical issues. Finally, she briefed SCL activity based on the sources and references.
The SDC and RCC of the Engineering Department organised a programme on “LAB CLASS THROUGH LIVE VIDEOCAST DO’S AND DON’T’S” as an initiation of the TEQUP series on 15 February 2021 from 2 to 2:25 pm by Mrs Lizette Ivy Catadman Pascual, lecturer (Engineering Department), delivered the presentation for the benefit of the staff members. She started the presentation by stating the special features of Live Video cast setup. Her presentation was mainly focused on recent trends in current video cast setup other evolving technologies and Technical issues. Finally, she briefed the Live Video Cast about Do’s and Don’ts while when standing and when sitting.
The Math Research Group of the Information Technology Department organised a webinar on Glimpse of Research in Information System and Technology, which was facilitated by Dr Suresh, Vel Tech R&D Institute of Technology-India, on Thursday, 25 February 2021 at 12 noon.
The programme was inaugurated with a welcome address by Dr Sanal Kumar and Dr Pugalarasu, Head of Math Section introduced the speaker, Dr Suresh.
Dr Suresh started his presentation by describing the present scenario about numerous social apps that are being developed all over the world which result in a massive flow of information and data every day on social media platforms. He focused on how this huge amount of data and information are going to be handled and through what medium or tools the data would be processed and stored for retrieval in future. At this point information systems and technology comes into light. Dr Suresh demonstrated an overview of the current scenario of research in the backdrop of
1. Incomplete information systems.
2. Lack of proper understanding of information.
3. Growth issues.
4. Confusion while tool selection.
5. Lack of Information professionals.
6. Securing the information
7. Integrating information from a variety of sources.
At the end of the programme Dr Sanal thanked the presenter Dr Suresh, Dr Amal - HoD of Information Technology, Dr Pugalarasu, and all the attendees. A total of around 40 members from five different colleges from Oman and India attended the webinar and benefitted from the presentation.
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Most of the attendees appreciated the programme and interacted with the speaker to get more clarity through the chat. The average score of the feedback was 4.4 out of 5
The recent pandemic times have compelled the education sector to seek new teaching methods to instill confidence and sustain learners' interest. Dr.MobinaRahnama delivered an exciting talk on Online Motivation on 18.2.2021. The English Language Centre, UTAS-Ibri, hosted the webinar for the ELC staff.
DrMobina holds a Ph.D. degree in TEFL/TESOL and she is a researcher as well. Her writing credits include authoring many papers and a book on English language teaching and feedback. Her main areas of professional interest are feedback, teacher education and teacher development.
Dr.Mobina emphasized the dire need for meaningful lessons and a conducive learning environment for the online teaching model. She was upright enough to state that chaotic, unsupportive, meaningless classes cannot boost motivation; they nip the zeal and inner drive in the bud and make learning monotonous. She also shared five quick tips with teachers to motivate second language learners. Dr.Mobina opined that teaching English to international students is a daunting task for an English teacher and it becomes inevitable for the language teachers to double their efforts since learners may constantly resort to their native language or the official language of the country or area where they live.
She concluded her talk with a hopeful note that the opening scene of endless English chatting and discussion among our learners does not have to be a dream. When these tips are put into action, we can watch it become our reality!
The English Language centre commended the efforts of the speaker and appreciated the contribution of the passion of the Professional Development Committee team.
