In the current scenario, education holds paramount prominence. Uneducated people are considered futile. This is why a majority of the countries are putting a greater emphasis on educating the youth who will later be the future of their country.
The Omani government too has been taking measures to augment the quality of education. The good news is that the government in this area has excelled to a great extent. Numerous grants and scholarships by them are evident of the fact.
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| Students in an interactive session at Bayan college -Photo by: Faisal Al Amri |
Take, for example, the field of mass communication. It is beginning to take root in Oman’s educational sector. It includes areas like broadcasting, journalism, advertising and public relations.
About a decade ago Omanis were not very keen to go in for media studies but in recent times the sudden urge among students to take up media studies is quite encouraging and at times inexplicable.
New Media College takes birth
Furthermore, Omani boys as well as girls are showing a greater interest in this field. That explains why we have a college in Muscat only for English and Media studies named Bayan College. In an interview with a few students of this college about their interest in Media studies, we found interesting responses.
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| Bayan students launch their bi-monthly newspaper, 'Bayan Post' -Photo by: Bayan Post staff |
“What I believe is that earlier, even though the people were interested in going for media studies, they were not fully supported by their families and things at that time were very traditional. Moreover, then the technology was not so developed to provide enough for the various media studies. However, now things are different; the people are coming out and exploring new things, technology has improved and the best thing is that the students are getting moral support from their families for the media studies. I think more and more Omanis should come forward and take up various professions in the field of media’’ says Salma Rashid Al Rashidy, who recently graduated in Broadcasting major from this college.
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| Students of the college working in the computer lab -Photo by Deeba Hasan |
Another student, Dhahi Al Mamari whose major is English Literature said “I opted for this major because I think I want to teach in the future. I want to impart whatever I have been taught, to the next generation so that they emerge as qualified professionals. It is my dream to graduate with distinction from Bayan and contribute to the success of my Nation."
Dhahi further says, "I feel that parents need to guide the students and converse with them in english at home, so they get used to the language. This is specially advisable for those students who want to go into Media or english majors."
Students of Al Bayan College hold that “if Omani people become good media persons they can better project the challenges and achievements of the Omani people as they are born, and brought up in the same culture. They know all about their country”.
At Bayan, some students are working with different media organizations. Since they do not have a high degree or a diploma, they feel that if they get a good qualification in media, their future career prospects will be brighter.
One such student is Bader Al Kiyumi who has been at Bayan since four years and is still enjoying his time here, only thing is that sometimes he feels pressurized when he has to meet the deadlines both at college and at his work. He works for Oman daily Observer, an english daily in Oman. When asked about balancing both college and work he says, “it gets very hard for me sometimes, coming from work to college and then going back, at times I work till late night at office because during the day I am at college, I also do office work during the weekends, it's not easy to manage."
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| Bayan students organise poetry competition at Crowne Plaza hotel -Photo by: Bayan college student |
Some people think mass media related subjects do not have as much importance as those of science or finance. However, this is not true. Mass communication is very much required today as it assumes great importance and helps project the challenges and achievements of people. Not only that but it also updates people about various issues concerning themselves and keeps them informed about happenings in their city, country and the world. Thus, not only for Oman but for each and every country mass communication is inevitable.
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| Dr. Jassim, dean of the college lecturing students in a class -Photo by: Deeba Hasan |
As Oman advances with its economic diversification programs, the importance of mass communication is increasing. Omani students going for mass communication have a bright future ahead because this is a growing industry in the country that calls for local talent.
- Deeba Hasan
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