IT job chances bright for Omanis
Muscat - The whole world is driven by computers. The Information Technology
(IT) market is growing rapidly, and as a result there are a number of job
opportunities for young Omanis in various fields such as e-commerce and
e-governance, according to Professor Dr Otto Spaniol from RWTH Aachen
University, Germany.
The professor headed the IT career counselling seminar on Sunday at the
Radisson SAS Hotel. The event was sponsored and organised by the Omani-German
University of Technology (OGTech). Four IT experts participated in the
seminar.
Spaniol compared the impact of IT on our daily lives to the introduction of
book printing in the 15th century. “The first networks were created about 40
years ago with the Arpanet for the Ministry of Defence in the US, and today IT
has entered all spheres of our daily life,” said Spaniol.
Computer science, programming, computer engineering and data security are some
of the fields of IT experts. “IT security is often neglected in Oman,” said
Tariq Al Barwani, IT Manager for Nawras and popular IT specialist. He sees
potential for young Omanis in the field of IT security. Al Barwani himself has
been interested in computers since a young age.
“When I was five I started using computers,” he said. After school education
he studied IT at universities abroad. Today after nine years of experience he
is a popular IT expert. Al Barwani gives lectures, has his own radio show and
writes editorials for different newspapers. He was even chosen to have an
interview with Microsoft CEO Bill Gates.
“To study IT, one should have interest in it. Then you have to work hard and
have a plan. Many students fail after two semesters as they do not have a
plan,” said Al Barwani. In his view, students need mathematics and logic for
computer sciences and they need to be updated on all the changes of
technology.
“Be a life-long learner, a good listener and ambitious with a goal in mind. If
you have an interest in IT, build it, work hard and improve it,” he said.
OGTech is a private university affiliated to RWTH Aachen University, one of
the most prestigious universities of technology in Germany. OGTech will start
its pre-university programme in September this year on the campus in Athaiba.