JEDDAH: The colleges of technology in Jeddah and Madinah have invited a team of British specialists to help improve courses and the quality of training that they offer.
The two colleges hope to introduce changes to allow Saudi nationals to become qualified for the engineering, automotive and management sectors of the Kingdom’s economy.
“Last year we hosted visitors from Brighton and Hove City College to assess and work with our automotive section,” said Mansour Al-Miman, dean of the Jeddah College of Technology (JCT).
The college has in place an active twinning program with City College, and has received exchange students and sent JCT instructors for training to the UK. “This year, the team of TQM (total quality management) specialists is, among other things, focusing on curriculum development, examination verification and management.”
The specialists, brought together by City College, arrived in Jeddah yesterday after spending a week at the Madinah Technical College.
Al-Miman said the team, which is on its first visit to the Kingdom, was scheduled to observe classes, and develop an understanding of the college and its student base. He added that it was very important that the team absorbed some of the local culture to better understand students and the colleges.
“This first visit is a data gathering exercise,” he said. “There are two more visits planned once the material has been reviewed and analyzed, and some suggestions put together to implement.”
Al-Miman added that he plans to show the visitors some local areas of interest, and invite them to informal social gatherings to meet students and teachers.
The JCT has been very active in seeking ways of improving the relevance and quality of courses it offers its vocational students. The relationship with City College has resulted in many trainers gaining the internationally recognized City and Guilds instructor qualifications. The current visit will also look at ways of aligning the curriculum and examination verification standards.
“We have agreed with our visitors that we are open, and would pass on information about the college and our methods as they wish,” said Al-Miman. “The visit is for the benefit of the college and the students, and we look forward to a fruitful outcome.”
