The German University of Technology in Oman (GUtech) was established in 2007 in collaboration with RWTH Aachen University in Germany, one of the leading universities of technology in Europe.

GUtech is the first and only German university on the Arabian Peninsula. The first batch of GUtech students started their studies in the Pre-University Programme in October 2007. The first intake of students into four full-time Bachelor of Science programmes (Applied Geosciences, Applied Information Technology, Sustainable Tourism and Regional Development, and Urban Planning & Architectural Design) started their studies one year later, in October 2008. GUtech was the first private university in Oman to receive international accreditation for all its BSc programmes

In 2010 GUtech introduced two new Bachelor of Engineering programmes in Process Engineering and Mechanical Engineering. Postgraduate programmes in MSc Petroleum Geoscience and MSc in Integrated Urban Planning are planned to start beginning of 2012. In September 2011 approximately 400 students were enrolled in GUtech’s Pre-University, BSc, and BEng programmes. GUtech’ s mission is to provide students with the education required to become highly qualified and socially responsible graduates, guided by German excellence in education and research and with a firm grounding in Oman’s culture and heritage. GUtech fosters creative and critical thinking to advance research and development, resulting in benefits to the society as a whole.

The language of tuition at GUtech is English, German is taught as an additional foreign language.

History

In December 2006 a collaborative agreement was signed between the private company Oman Educational Services LLC and RWTH Aachen University in Germany to establish the German University of Technology in Oman (GUtech). Four GUtech Bachelor of Science programmes were approved by the Ministry of Higher Education in 2007. In May 2007 the so-called GUtech Beach Campus comprising four villas and some porta cabins in the district of Al Athaiba was inaugurated. In October 2007, the first batch of 60 students started their Pre-University Study Programme
Due to the increase in the number of students GUtech relocated its Bachelor activities in 2010 to a new nine story building close to Muscat International Airport. The Pre-University education remains at the Beach Campus. Additionally, five villas were rented as guest houses and office buildings.

Affiliation with RWTH Aachen University

All private higher education institutions in the Sultanate are required to have an academic affiliation with reputable international universities and colleges. GUtech is affiliated to RWTH Aachen University in Germany.

RWTH Aachen University was founded in 1870 and is one of most renowned university of technology in Germany. The university is recognised internationally for its strong links with industry and its applied research. RWTH Aachen University has 260 institutes and 9 faculties. In September 2011 about 32,000 students were registered in more than100 different study programmes. RWTH Aachen is a member of the strategic partnership of five of Europe’s leading research universities, the elite IDEA League, which includes Imperial College London, Delft University of Technology, ETH Zȕrich University, and the Paris Institute of Technology. Also RWTH Aachen is linked to the nearby Jȕlich Research Center in Germany thus forming one of the largest and most successful research areas in Europe. As of 2007, the university has been designated as an elite “University of Excellence” in Germany.

The quality of teaching at GUtech is ensured by RWTH Aachen University. All programmes are designed and supervised by Professors of RWTH Aachen University, who act as Inaugural Deans of GUtech’s faculties. The Rector of RWTH Aachen University is the chairman of the Board of Governors of GUtech. The selection process of academic staff above the level of assistant professor is jointly organised by professors of both universities.

During their studies a number of GUtech students are participating in study-trips to RWTH Aachen University in order to make use of the advanced lab facilities of the university or for summer courses in German language and culture.

Academic Programmes

Beside the Pre-University Programme GUtech offers full-time Bachelor of Science (BSc) and Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) programmes, and part time Master of Science (MSc) programmes (starting 2012).

The Pre-University Programme has been designed to equip students with the skills required to succeed in the Bachelor programmes. The programme is made up of different modules including economics, mathematics, information technology, sciences and creative design.

GUtech’s tuition fees include a laptop computer for each student in the Bachelor programmes, the use of textbooks and access to the GUtech library, the cost of travel and accommodation during field trips, including any trip to Germany if these are compulsory parts of the programme

Bachelor of Science programmes

• BSc in Applied Geosciences: Oman is renowned for its unique geology. A major part of the Sultanate's future is based on the exploration of its natural resources, as well as the management of fresh water supplies. The BSc programme in Applied Geosciences is based on the study of the Earth and learning the procedures of searching for resources. Many topics within the programme are presented in cooperation with local and international partners.
• BSc in Applied Information Technology: This programme offers a study in the field of theoretical and practical knowledge of computing. Emphasis is placed on the interaction of informatics and engineering, culture, communication and technology, including a solid understanding of the business context.
• BSc in Sustainable Tourism and Regional Development: Tourism is a key growth area for Oman. This multi-disciplinary BSc programme is geared towards educating graduates with practical hands-on experience, who are capable of analysing and managing tourism development across the region. The programme combines knowledge about the environment, society, and the economic development of the regions while focusing on sustainability. Geography, tourism planning, economics, and business administration are combined with a prominent focus on development in the Sultanate of Oman and the wider Gulf region.
• BSc in Urban Planning and Architectural Design: The structure and design of cities, in respect of the natural environment, local traditions and preserving natural resources, are the focal points of these programme . A key feature of the programme is the combination of essential teaching with application-oriented research in areas such as construction, engineering and geography.

Bachelor of Engineering programmes

• BEng in Mechanical Engineering: In the first phase the Mechanical Engineering programme is focusing on the fundamentals of mathematics, natural sciences and informatics together with the basics of engineering. Students are given the skills required to analyse and design solutions for a diverse range of engineering problems. Throughout the programme, theoretical studies are complemented by practical laboratory and field exercises. Mechanical engineers work to improve the design, safety, and energy efficiency of the machines that support industry and society. Mechanical engineering graduates may pursue careers in different areas within industry or government, in fields such as design, production planning, sales and distribution, management and organisation, as well as in the field of research and development.
• BEng in Process Engineering: The programme in Process Engineering focuses on applied competences for designing mechanical, chemical, and thermal processes. Process engineers are concerned with chemical and biochemical processes in which raw materials undergo change, and scaling-up processes from the laboratory into the processing plant. Process engineering graduates have the possibility to work in the development of economical industrial processes such as food and beverages, artificial fibres, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, and drinking water. Responsibilities of process engineers involve designing equipment, understanding the reactions taking place, installing control systems as well as starting, running and upgrading the processes.

Master of Science Programmes

GUtech will introduce two part-time Master Programmes in Petroleum Geoscience and in Integrated Urban Planning in 2012. MSc programmes are designed for professionals. In order to combine the study programme with ongoing job assignments, both MSc programmes are conducted either in the afternoon and evening or in block seminars at the weekend. Both MSc programmes will qualify graduates to pursue a career in a leading position and to apply for PhD programmes in their field.

• MSc in Petroleum Geoscience (part-time)

The MSc in Petroleum Geoscience focuses on the exploration and production of oil and gas as well as the supply and sale of energy.
During the two and a half year programme, students will take the majority of their courses in Oman, including field-based training with outdoor activities in Oman's world class outcrops. For modules requiring state-of-the-art analytical equipment, students will be able to elect travelling to Germany to do this work at the RWTH Aachen University campus. Parts of the MSc programme will be executed in cooperation with local and international industry partners.

• MSc in Integrated Urban Planning (part-time)

Based on real-life challenges, the two and a half year part-time programme is designed to integrate urban planning and management as well as to strengthen and improve skills and capabilities. Graduates of the MSc in Integrated Urban Planning will be highly qualified for leading positions in the regional, national and international context with career opportunities in the fields of master planning, sector planning, scientific research and consultancy. The programme follows specific standards of the profession of urban planners, as recognised in Europe and internationally.

Students

In September 2011 a total of around 400 students were enrolled in different programmes at GUtech, about 15 per cent of them are international students. Each year students receive financial aid and scholarships from different sources either from industry or government like Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), Occidental Petroleum Corporation (Oxy), German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), the Ministry of Higher Education, Oman International Fertiliser Company (OMIFCO), OMRAN, Oman Educational Services (OES) and from GUtech.

The entry requirements depend on the programme and the level of entrance. For example. to enter directly into a Bachelor programme, students need to submit IELTS results of at least 6.0, or equivalent TOEFL results. The applicant may also need to pass a GUtech entrance examination.

International Accreditation

GUtech was the first private university in the Sultanate that received international accreditation for all Bachelor of Science programmes, by the Accreditation, Certification and Quality Assurance Institute (ACQUIN) in June 2009. ACQUIN is a non-profit agency committed to supporting the enhancement of quality standards for teaching and learning in higher education worldwide. It is a full member of the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education and operates in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Middle and Eastern Europe, North Africa, Near and Middle East. (ACQUIN - http://www.acquin.org/en/index.php)

For parents of current and future students, the international accreditation of GUtech is a further assurance that students are receiving a world-class higher education in Oman. It also means that graduates have the possibility to continue their studies at RWTH Aachen University in Germany or at any other university of their choice - depending on the individual entry requirements of the respective university

Organizational structure

GUtech is owned by private Omani shareholders, who are represented by the Board of Directors (BoD). The managing board of GUtech is the Board of Governors (BoG). Members of the Board of Governors are representatives from the shareholders and RWTH Aachen University, as well as from the governmental sector of Oman and Germany.

At the moment GUtech comprises four Faculties:

• Faculty of Sciences
• Faculty of Urban Planning and Architecture
• Faculty of Engineering
• Faculty of Economics and Sustainable Tourism

GUtech is managed by the Rectorate, which is chaired by Professor Dr. Burkhard Rauhut, Rector of GUtech. In August 2011 a total of 81 academic and administrative employees were employed at GUtech. The majority of the academic staff teaching the Bachelor programmes, - around 70 per cent comes from European universities.

GUtech CAMPUS

Located in the district of Al Athaiba, the GUtech campus consists of the GUtech Beach Campus and the Airport Campus.

The Beach Campus is located on the beach road in Al Athaiba and accommodates the Foundation Year with a number of lecture rooms, consultation rooms, a multilingual library, a science laboratory, the office of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the German Language Center (GLC), a cafeteria, and prayer rooms.

The Airport Campus is located beside the main highway, on the way to Muscat International Airport. The campus is in a 9-storey building that accommodates all Bachelor programmes, lecture rooms, main hall, library, several science and computer laboratories, studios, a cafeteria and coffee shop, a student common room, and prayer rooms.

GUtech campus in Halban

In August 2012 the first phase of the new GUtech campus, located in the outskirts of Muscat (in Halban) is scheduled to be completed . The Halban GUtech campus will be the first green campus in Oman. The main building will have class rooms and seminar rooms, a large and open amphitheatre auditorium, science, engineering and computer laboratories, a library, sports facilities, administrative offices, studios, a canteen and a coffee shop. In separate buildings student and staff accommodation will be available.

The next three construction phases comprising educational, commercial and accommodation buildings, a museum, a mosque, and open spaces such as a recreation area with green parks and sporting areas – a city in itself.