The first Siemens Mechatronics Laboratory in Oman was inaugurated at the German University of Technology in Oman (GUtech) recently.

GUtech has dedicated a lab facility within its campus, equipped by Siemens. The laboratory will serve as a training center for students and professionals to complete two levels in the Siemens Mechatronic Systems Certification Program (SMSCP).

“Siemens is dedicated to promoting human capital development and local capacity building to help in fulfilling Oman’s economic development plans and implementing Industry 4.0 solutions,” said Claudia Vergueiro Massei, CEO of Siemens in Oman while adding, “We are pleased to collaborate with GUtech to bring Mechatronic training to Omani youth, offering students the opportunity to pursue this globally recognised certification that will ultimately help them contribute to Oman’s development goals.”

Mechatronics is the combination of mechanical, electrical and computer software technologies as well as control and systems theory into a single system used in production and manufacturing. In practical terms, Mechatronics raises the bar for Industry 4.0 by offering a holistic, hands-on approach to automation that can improve efficiency, productivity and quality and ultimately decrease time to market. Industries that benefit greatly from a Mechatronics system include aerospace, materials processing, machine building, automotive, transportation, building technologies and mining.

To train students interested in advancing their skills in automation and manufacturing, two academic professors from GUtech have received the Instructor SMSCP Certification Course (Level 1 and 2) at the Siemens Sitrain Training Center in Nürnberg, Germany, in 2018. GUtech and Siemens began in 2017 their collaboration on the academic programme that will provide advanced learning and certification opportunities for engineering students and professionals in the Sultanate. The Mechatronics Certification courses, designed to be integrated into the university’s existing curriculum, will be offered to GUtech students in two levels. Each level of the certification is based on a job profile, which is developed by Siemens in collaboration with other industry and public sector partners.

“We are celebrating a moment of academia-industry collaboration that aims to train school leavers, students, graduates and to upskill the industrial workforce in a state of art equipped lab. The awarded certificate, which is according to an industry-driven job profile, is recognized worldwide. As part of our commitment in supporting the community, we have decided to give a scholarship discount of 30-50% to the students. We want to contribute in capacity-building, preparing the local community for the transition towards the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” said Prof. Dr. Najah Al Mhanna, Head of the Engineering Department at GUtech.

Siemens is the only global industrial company to offer this programme in cooperation with partner colleges and Universities throughout the Middle East, Europe, North America, Asia and Africa. Under the agreement, GUtech will be the first university in Oman to offer the training and join an international network of advanced technology partners in education and industry working with Siemens to deliver these certifications.