by Oman Tribune

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.