IT Advanced Diploma and Bachelor students, currently enrolled in Advanced Operating System, Portal Management, Data Warehousing, and Fundamentals of Computer Security, visited Information Technology Authority (ITA) last Tuesday, November 17, 2015 at Knowledge Oasis, Muscat.

The industry visit was divided into three (3) sessions.

In the first session, Ms. Ameera, Senior Project Specialist, talked about the SAS Virtual Reality. Applications of Virtual Reality on an aircraft engine simulation and SAUDI ARAMCO Petroleum Plant were demonstrated. She also talked about the training program for the research and development ITA provides, in collaboration with academic institutions. Further, she mentioned that a Virtual Reality Program is being offered to Omani students. Applicants on the said programs are being tested on Photoshop / 3D Max / Maya / Sketchup Basics, and followed up by interview. This three-month program is done every four (4) months with 40 students per batch.

In the second session, Mr. Khalid Al-Balushi, Project Manager, presented 3D printing technology. He spoke about the 3D printers and scanners, and the material used in printing. Samples of 3D printed materials were exhibited. On the other side, Ms. Azhaar Al-Saidi presented a talk about Electronic Oman. She discussed how e-Oman works and its services, and the educational drive ITA that provides to inform all stakeholders.

In the last session, Mr. Mohammed Al-Kharousi from Information Security Division (ISD) talked about his department. He gave a brief overview on how ITA supports the government for information security. He discussed the ISD services such as security quality and management, internal systems security, security monitoring and incident response, to name a few. He gave examples of how to monitor intrusion or hacking activities in the Sultanate and how they deal with it.

Networking lecturers, Mr. Mohammed Naheed Ali and Mr. Charles Jaya Rao, accompanied the students on the industry visit. The industrial visit was organized by the Industrial Link Committee of the IT Department.