The German University of Technology in Oman (GUtech) is the first private university in the Sultanate to receive international re-accreditation for its Bachelor of Science programmes in Computer Science, Urban Planning and Architectural Design and Applied Geosciences and first accreditation for its Bachelor of Engineering degree programmes in Environmental Engineering, Process Engineering and Mechanical Engineering. The news was announced by Prof. Dr-Ing. Michael Modigell, Rector of GUtech (pictured) on Tuesday.
“We are very proud that ACQUIN has acknowledged the international quality of all our programmes. With a degree from GUtech our students have many options that ensure them the best possible start to their professional careers,” said Prof Modigell. Currently a large number of GUtech alumni students are pursuing their MSc degree at universities in Germany, UK or US and many more have found jobs in the public and private sector in Oman and in the region.
The announcement about GUtech’s re-accreditation came after the Accreditation, Certification and Quality Assurance Institute (ACQUIN) approved GUtech’ s BSc and BEng programmes without condition. ACQUIN is an international Germany- based non-profit agency committed to supporting the enhancement of quality standards for teaching and learning in higher education worldwide.  ACQUIN is a full member of the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education operating in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Middle and Eastern Europe, North Africa and Middle East. GUtech is also licensed by the Ministry of Higher Education in Oman and recognised by RWTH Aachen University, its partner-university in Germany.
The re-accreditation of academic programmes was awarded after a rigorous procedure that involved several meetings with the ACQUIN peer group in summer this year. The group was made up of 10 experienced academics and students from different public universities in Germany as well as experts from the industry and two ACQUIN staff members (pictured).  Based on the self-evaluation reports which were produced by the Academic departments the groups of experts interviewed GUtech staff and students to finalize their assessment process.
The ACQUIN team was impressed with GUtech’s commitment to educate highly qualified and responsible-minded students according to German standards, but with a firm grounding in Omani heritage and culture. In the long run, GUtech aims to play a leading role in research, innovation and  education.
“Based on the solid ground of its Bachelor programme portfolio GUtech will introduce several Masters’ degree programmes in the fields of Engineering, Architecture, Business and Geosciences In the coming years, to strengthen the research activities of the university and to satisfy the needs of the Omani society. Moreover, we are  planning to award PhD degrees according to the German system,” said Dr. Jürgen Werner, Deputy-Rector for Academic Affairs.  GUtech currently offers BSc programmes in Computer Science, Applied Geosciences, Urban Planning and Architectural Design, International Business and Service Management and Logistics and BEng programmes in Environmental Engineering, Process Engineering and Mechanical Engineering.