As part of the ‘Eidad initiative’, the Community Engagement Committee, in cooperation with the English Language Centre, at the University of Technology and Applied Sciences-Shinas, conducted the first workshop on 1^st November 2022, at Umm Salma Secondary School for Girls in Sohar. This initiative came as an embodiment and affirmation of the importance of community partnership between the university and community schools. Twelve grade Students from  Umm Salma Secondary School, Sohar, benefitted from vocational guidance and gained some experience of the competencies, including cognitive and practical skills needed, to prepare students for university study and the labor market. Mr. Nasser Abdullah Al-Hindasi presented the workshop titled ‘Introduction to IELTS Program’.  He identified the basic rules of the English language and the most important points that students need to know about the IELTS program, in order to prepare for the IELTS exam.  Mr. Nasser reviewed the different types of questions in the exam and detailed the different parts of the test.

At the end of the workshop, a panel discussion was held between the participating students and Mr. Nasser Al-Hindasi,  on the development of skills and the importance of upgrading the language skills of students, as required for international grants and scholarships provided by the government, to study in the most prestigious universities around the world. Mr. Nasser Al-Hindasi, was honored by the Principal of Umm Salma High School,  Mrs. Huda Al-Balushi, for his cooperation and active participation.