The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Unit (IEU) organised an awareness program on “Entrepreneurship Development” on Tuesday, 1st of October 2019, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the VIP room. It was delivered by Mr Qais Al-Balushi, Assistant Manager of Training Programs at Oman Academy for SMEs. The awareness program focused on several topics, including the definition of entrepreneurship, success stories of Omani entrepreneurs, sources of business ideas, Small and Medium Entreprises (SMEs) and how to develop a business model. It was attended by 57 students from the three academic departments at the college. At the end of the program, Mr Mohammed Al-Sakiti, head of IEU, gave a certificate of appreciation to the presenter.

On September 22, Ibri College of Technology attended a meeting with the strategic planning and balanced scorecard experts, Mr. Brett Knowles and Mr. Peter Watson, in Muscat. The objective of the meeting was to discuss IbriCT Strategic Plan based on BSC and a proposed layout of Operational Plan.

 The participants from Ibri College of Technology were:

1. Dr Hamdan Al-Manthari, the College Dean,
2. Mr. Rashid Al-Hinai, Assistant Dean for Administrative and Financial Affairs,
3. Ms. Nawal Al-Sawafi, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs,
4. Dr Duhai Al-Shukaili, Head of IT Department,
5. Mr. Omar Al-Balushi, Head of Business Department, 
6. Mr Basim Al-Mushaifri, Head of ELC,
7. Mr. Abdullah Al-Shukeily, Head of ETC,
8. Ms. Heba Qureshi,  Head of QA Department,
9. Mr. Said Al-Manthari, Head of ESS,
10. Dr. Abdulsalam Al-Manthari, QAD Officer,
11. Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Ismaili, QAD Officer,
12. Dr. Michelle Inciso-Mendoza, QAD Officer.

The experts commended the efforts of the Ibri College by saying that IbriCT is on the right track. They appreciated the college proposed draft of BSC based SP. Mr Brett, owner of PM2 Consultancy and BSC expert discussed the next steps to be taken by the college. Based on the proposed SP of IbriCT, he presented the strategic map of the college through spider strategy software. Dr. Abdul Hakim bin Hilal Al-Ismaili, DGTE, Dean Dr Hamdan Al-Manthari and other dignitaries also joined the meeting. Dr Abdul Hakim enquired from the experts about their opinion on IbriCT’s contribution. Mr Brett and Mr Peter Watson mentioned that as per the submitted draft of BSC based SP, IbriCT needs to start implementation only as the college is already on the right track. DGTE, Dr. Abdul Hakim, suggested IbriCT team to try to benefit from the session by asking questions and make sure that the concepts are clear. He mentioned that in the history of CoTs, this is the first time when concept of BSC is introduced for SP development and the Ministry is positive about its fruitful impact on Higher Education Institutions. The experts requested the DGTE, to help the HEIs with financial aid in buying the Spider strategic software, to see better results of BSC. The DGTE assured them that the Ministry will do its best to support the colleges to progress.

Head QAD, Ms Heba Qureshi told the experts that there are some further improvements to the college SP draft. She showed the final Strategic Map with some modified KPIs. The experts agreed with the modified KPIs and admired the college efforts. Assistant Dean Ms Nawal Al-Sawafi and Head ETC Mr Abdullah Al-Shukeli raised some queries related to Operational planning and KPIs. The experts entertained the queries with examples. Communication between the experts and IbriCT would continue for consultation purposes.

 Following points were highlighted in the review meeting:

1. The KPIs at D/Cs can be different as per their role.
2. The suggested number of KPIs is as few as possible 1-3.
3. The college management may agree/decide upon some common strategic objectives and rest can be contributive.
4. Any D/C may volunteer to prepare strategic map at D/Cs level.
5. Although the college has already good number of strategic objectives and they are concise statements. However, the college may further reduce the number of words in each strategic objectives.
6. Based on Strategic Management Process, a Management Cycle, the team was advised to review the Strategy Map objectives internally once a quarter.
7. The experts explained to the team that in any system, it is 20% technical and 80% social. A strategy map is technical; thus, the team was also advised to use one of the suggested cloud based solutions.

The meeting was wrapped up with a suggestion coming from them that an “intellectual asset” which could help monitor its daily progress would be of great help. They promised to give be guiding and monitoring the progress of college SP in future via e-communication. A group photo was taken with the college team and the expert.

After the session with the expert, there was a follow-up meeting of the college team with the DGTE. He appreciated the efforts of college management and QAD in moving towards accreditation stage. He emphasized on the seriousness of college staff in realising the importance of this academic year as this is the year of accreditation. He told to the dean, that in January 2019, IbriCT would go through a mock audit. In that case, everyone shall contribute in preparation for it. He reiterated on the value of the awareness at college for students and staff. The dean, Dr Hamdan Al-Manthari, assured the DGTE that IbriCT would do its best to achieve the target of accreditation. He said that the guidance of Technical experts, QD and PET at MoM plays a significant role in the progress of IbriCT. The meeting ended by 5:00 PM