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CSS Services


The following services are provided by CSS:
CCTV Management

ShCT ensures the security of all the people and the properties inside the campus. CCTVs are installed strategically in and outside its premises. The Educational Technology Center technically manages the CCTV in coordination with the Administration department.  

Network/Server Management
The network and servers are the core/central IT infrastructure which is inside the college. It is being managed by ETC Staff who specialized and certified in CISCO. The backbone of all network and online connectivity of the College resides in the Network/Server rooms. This is the most expensive IT facility which needs extensive monitoring and management.
 
Network Infrastructure of the ShCT uses CISCO and HP switches and routers, Fortigate for its network security device and HP for its wireless controller and access points. The ShCT internet bandwidth is 100Mbps.
 
ShCT’s Server infrastructure is composed of both physical and virtual servers. 
 
The detailed inventory and reports monthly for maintenance and management of Network and Server since May 2016 has been available in the Staff Portal where all members of Network and Server Team can submit and can access to it. Administrator privileges are given to HoC and CSS-HoS and to coordinator of the Server.
 
Online E-mail Support
ETC continues to provide means of support for all staff and students to contact ETC for any technical services and support through e-mail. ETC assures that every e-mail is treated urgent and addressed properly. The online e-mail is also used for sending announcements, tips and features new services of ETC.
 
You can send an e-mail to support@shct.edu.om.
IP Phone Management
CSS ensures that communication facilities are enhanced and provide various means of communication to deliver and address issues urgently. The allocation of IP Phone to staff is based on the assigned tasked and requested by the academic HoD/HoC and approved by the college administration.
 
The telephone directory of College uses the list of Staff Directory where all contact numbers are listed. To call the specific office or staff, the prefix is 2685. Example (26852800). Please click here to go to Staff Directory.
College website and software development and management
The web and software development team continues to automate processes in the college. ShCT has a set of web designers and programmers to develop systems that make all work in the college simpler, effective and transparent. 
 
Benchmarking on this area is very active to share the system with each other. ShCT has open communication and active collaboration with other Colleges of Technology to share the systems.
 
Please click here to see all Online Systems.
ETC Newsletter Publication
The ETC Newsletter publication is one of the means to provide awareness to all stakeholders and community on technology issues, tips and tricks and step-by-step guide on ETC services.  Furthermore, the ETC newsletter publication is committed to provide timely technology news, technology development and helpful tips to all the readers. ETC newsletter publication strives to improve every issue to entice the readers with its contents and designs.
 
The ETC Newsletter publication started from its humble beginning in 2011 up to the present. From its inception in 2011 to 2016, there are 9 newsletters published.
 
Please click here to read the ETC Connect newsletters.
 
Workshop/Helpdesk Support Services
ETC has Helpdesk/Workshop team assigned in specific building to support all software/hardware troubleshooting needed by both staff and students. The Workshop team ensures effective and efficient service to all staff members and students. The Helpdesk/Workshop team is the first line of support which oversees all troubleshooting and forwards the concern to network, server and ESS if necessary.
 
The following are the support and services offered by Workshop Team:
 
Installation of operating system(s), application software and other utilities
Installation of other computer peripherals
Computer hardware and/or software troubleshooting
Computer virus management
Desktop RAM/hard disk replacement/upgrade
Installation and troubleshooting of Printer/Copier, Fax Machine, Projector/Activboard, IP Phone
Workstation Internet connectivity
Wireless Internet connectivity and troubleshooting
College Email accessibility
College System installation and connectivity
Other technical issues
 
ETC has the Online Smart Support where staff can send their request online and will be attended by Helpdesk support. Reports are available upon request. 
 
To login to the Online Smart Support, please click here.
Computer Laboratories support and services
Computer Laboratories serve as one of the major avenues of learning in the College of Technology where students perform practical activities both online and offline with the use of the different applications/programs. There are total of 20 computer laboratories in ShCT. These are 10 computer laboratories for general courses, 1 Open lab for students, 1 e-Library, 1 Hardware lab, 1 Network Project Lab, 1 Course Project Lab, 4 Engineering computer laboratories and 1 CISCO laboratory.
 
ShCT has Quality Sub-Manual (QSM) for Computer Laboratories. It aims to provide step-by-step guide for Technical staff and all stakeholders to:
Obtain a desirable level of quality and effectiveness of the resources;
Minimize errors and necessary corrective measures can be applied immediately;
Achieve the desired level of accuracy in performing activities in the computer laboratories;
Maximize the utilization of computer laboratories with desirable results and reliable support;
Prevent risks and hazards for the users, equipment, software applications, programs and all other resources involve in the various operations in the computer laboratory.
 
Please click here to view Quality Sub-Manual for Computer Laboratories.
 
To run the computer laboratories, we also need the software/applications. There are three types of software/application that ShCT utilized. These are licensed, institutional/educational and free/open source.
 
Licensed Software
 
The College has acquired the following software licenses: 
Solidworks
SPSS
Fortigate
Wufoo Carpe Diem
Visual Paradigm
Adobe CC
Windows Virtual Machine
Veem Backup
F-Secure (Anti-Virus)
SSL Symantec Secure Site Pro
aSc Timetables
 
The following process is followed in purchasing of licensed software/application. 
 
a. ETC is responsible to check the requirements of software/programs of the college through sending letter to all the departments/centers in the college.
b. The list of all software/application requirements will be consolidated/summarized by ETC and submit it to College Dean.
c. Wait for the approval and attend the meeting with CC to discuss the requirements if necessary.
d. After the approval. The ETC will start contacting the suppliers and request for quotations.
e. After receiving sufficient numbers of quotations, ETC will conduct intensive study and analysis by checking all technical features against its price in coordination with Finance department.
f. After careful study and analysis, ETC and Finance department presents the result to College Dean or CC.
g. Wait for approval from the College Dean or CC.
h. Once approved, then Finance department coordinates with the chosen company/supplier and do the necessary process.
i. Once the software/application received from the chosen supplier, ETC will check all its details as mentioned in all the requirements.
j. Run the test and once everything is verified and working, ETC will inform the Finance department that it is ready to sign the Delivery notice.
k. Finance department will finalize the document/payment and ensure that all contracts, warranty and other details are given by company to the college.
 
Institutional/Educational Licenses
 
There are also educational/institutional licenses that ShCT acquired. These are obtained by applying as a member/affiliate of the organizations that support institutions around the globe. These are given free for specific number of years and can be renewed depending on the company awarding the institutional/educational licenses.
 
The College has acquired the following Institutional/Educational Licenses 
 
Autodesk (AutoCAD, 3Ds Max)
Tally 
Office 365 Educational Plus
Oracle Community
AnSys
 
Free and Open Source Software
There are also numerous numbers of free and open source software/applications that are used by academic departments and centers.
 
The College is using the Free/Open Source Software:
Fedora v13
CentOS v6.6 / 6.7
Netbean IDE 
Codeblock 
BlueJ
VirtuaLbox
WampServer
Notepad++
Prolog
Google Chrome
Mozilla Firefox
Apache Tomcat
Packet Tracer
ZenMap / Nmap
Wireshark
Logisim
Open Sankore
 
The detailed inventory and reports monthly for maintenance and management of Computer Laboratory since May 2016 has been available in the Staff Portal where all members of Computer Laboratory Team can submit and can access to it online. Administrator privileges are given to Head of Center and Head of Computer Services Section and to the coordinator of the Computer Laboratory.
 
Skills Transfer Program to Users/Stakeholders
ETC is the central unit of the college in providing technology-based support and services to all staff and students. ETC understands clearly its major role of providing awareness to ensure that technology will be effectively and efficiently utilized. ETC responsibilities do not only pertain to doing the steps by the technical personnel in order to resolve the issue but shares the techniques and expertise to educate and enlighten the people it serves.  Thus, the major player in conducting the identified training needs of all stakeholders is its own ETC Staff as they receive inquiries from them.
 
ETC identifies the specific needs for Skills Transfer Program of all its College stakeholders through TNA, requests initiated by stakeholders and new technology/resources acquired by the college.
 
Training needs analysis survey
ETC will list all training that ETC can provide based on its areas of support and ask the staff to fill up online survey. The training with a highest rating will be scheduled first.
Requests initiated by them
The request of training which is initiated by them is considered as identified need. Therefore, ETC allocates its possible resources to provide the training at once. Initiated request is considered as urgent and important need.
New technology/resources to be used by them 
It is one of the main responsibilities of ETC to inform all its stakeholders regarding new technologies and resources. This is to guarantee that training and workshops for staff and students are conducted on the use of learning equipment and materials. ETC is also committed in developing training materials like:
MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Publisher, Project & Visio
Adobe Packages
Virus Management
Network and Server Management
Computer Hardware Troubleshooting
Free Open Source software like (Sankore for Activboard)
eLearning
Staff Portal
Student Portal
Plagiarism detection software
iBulk SMS
Orientation on ETC support and services
 
For an effective and successful delivery of Skills Transfer Program to stakeholders, ETC has identified the key factors needed.
a. Preparing Resources
b. Informing Stakeholders about the Training
c. Providing the Training
 
a. Preparing Resources
 
The following steps are followed in preparing resources: 
1. HoC/HoS coordinates with IT for Computer Laboratory allocation before the preparation of the timetable. 
2. The ETC SPDC coordinator coordinates with ETC staff for the needed equipment/materials for training.
3. If there is a need for purchasing materials/equipment, the trainer submits the list and its specifications to HoS/HoC ahead of time.
4. HoS/HoC forwards the request to the College Dean and Administration Department.
5. ETC fully coordinates with Admin in obtaining quotations from companies to the delivery of the needed equipment and materials.
 
b. Informing Stakeholders about the Training
 
ETC informs College Staff and Students about the Training details through the official modes of communications.
o College e-mail
o Announcement in TVs which are installed in College Hallways, Reception area.
o Announcement in College Website
o Bulletin board which is minimized for paperless campaign. This is used only when needed. 
 
In the announcements, students and staff are informed how to register and specify the number of participants which can be accommodated in the venue. For the training to be conducted to students, ETC–SPDC team coordinates with Academic HoD/HoC for lecturers to announce to students during their classes and Student Activities department to announce the training to students.
 
c. Providing the Training
 
Providing the Training will have difference in its implementation depending on who are the participants. There are some differences and similarities in approaches which conform to the practice and policies available in the college.
 
Providing Training to College Staff/Students
1. SPDC coordinator collects the list of participants and identifies the training needed.
2. HoC/HoS assigns the trainer.
3. The trainer develops the training plan.
4. The trainer designs the training materials.
5. The trainer conducts the training.
6. After the training, the participants evaluate the training.
7. The SPDC coordinator collects the Survey.
8. The SPDC coordinator sends the Survey to QAU for analysis.
9. After the result of the Survey analysis, The SPDC coordinator or HOC/HoS gives feedback to the trainer.
10. The SPDC coordinator documents the feedback and takes note for the Improvement of the Process.
 
As ETC support and services are directly connected with Information Technology; most of the requested training for students is coming from IT department. ETC ensures that all training fosters student-centered learning. Discussion/theoretical aspects are minimized and student involvement in practical activities is given a greater percentage.
 

Contact UTAS-Shinas

Mailing Address
University of Technology and Applied Sciences - Shinas
Al-Aqur, Shinas
Sultanate of Oman,
P.O. Box 77
Postal Code 324
Assistant Vice Chancellor, UTAS Shinas Office
Tel: +968 2674 2811
+968 2685 2860
Student Admission & Registration Support
Tel.: +968 2685 2924
+968 2685 2925
E-mail for admission inquiries:
support.registration@shct.edu.om
Website & Technical Support
Tel.: +968 2685 2809
E-mail: support@shct.edu.om
Human Resources Concerns
Tel.: +968 2685 2929
+968 2685 2814
E-mail: HRDept@shct.edu.om
General Enquiries
Main Tel: +968 2685 2800
+968 2685 2900
E-mail: mmc@shct.edu.om or
visit the contact us page

 

Location
Campus map
Campus Map

 

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