German University of Technology in Oman (GUtech)
The history of the German University of Technology (GUtech) can be traced back to 2003, when visionary Omanis contemplated the establishment of a high quality university of technology in Oman. This vision was inspired by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos’ directions for the provision of quality higher education in Oman by private investors.
RWTH Aachen University in Germany was approached with the intention of bringing German excellence in education to Oman. After few years of discussion and negotiation, the founders were ready to begin a plan of action for establishing a university. In August 2006, Oman Educational Services L.L.C. (OES), a limited liability company under the laws of the Sultanate of Oman, was incorporated to establish a university on formal footing. OES is also the legal entity responsible for initiating education related future projects.
A Collaborative Agreement between RWTH Aachen University and OES was signed in December 2006, paving the way for the establishment of a private university in the Sultanate of Oman. This cemented the groundwork for everything the founder envisioned: a high quality university of technology in of Oman. Specifically, the agreement laid the framework for collaboration between OES and RWTH Aachen University in terms of academic curricula, quality assurance and expertise, and setting up a technological university. All GUtech programmes have been developed in cooperation of GUtech with RWTH Aachen University in Germany.
In March 2007, The Ministry of Higher Education of the Sultanate of Oman issued a Ministerial Decision No. 9/2007 for the establishment of the Oman German University of Technology (OGTech). This was followed by the development of four Bachelor of Science programmes of study, namely:
Sustainable Tourism and Regional Development
Urban Planning and Architectural Design
Applied Geosciences
Applied Information Technology
In September 2007, the university opened its doors to students in rented premises in Athaibah. Initially, sixty (60) Omani male and female students joined the Foundation Year Programme (FYP). A preparatory study programme that acts as a bridge between high school and university education.
In 2008, the name of the university was changed to the German University of Technology in Oman (GUtech).
Shortly thereafter, in July 2009, GUtech was the first private university in the Sultanate of Oman to receive international accreditation by ACQUIN, a German-based accreditation agency, for its Bachelor of Science programmes.
With a continuously growing reputation, the university added two new Bachelor of Engineering programmes, namely:
Process Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
With the same expansionary spirit, the university opened a second campus in October 2010. Given its location besides Muscat International Airport, the campus was known as the Airport Campus where all Bachelors’ programmes were taught. In 2011, the Bachelor of Engineering in Environmental Engineering was introduced, along with the first Master of Science in Petroleum Geoscience. By 2012, the number of students studying at GUtech reached nearly 700.
A renowned architecture office was commissioned to design a building for the flourishing university that would reflect Oman heritage and German Precision. In 2011, construction work began to establish a state-of-the-art campus in Halban area, 25 minutes away from Muscat International Airport.
In September 2012, GUtech moved into its permanent campus in Halban, the first-ever Green Campus in Oman. The building earned the 2013 award of the best commercial building of the year in Oman, and in the Middle East.
In 2018, GUtech has added five Masters’ programmes through its different faculties. The programmes offer a flexible modular learning to fresh graduates and professionals seeking to boost their careers in these fields:
Master of Science in Computer Science
Master of Science in Architecture and Architecture Design
Master of Science Applied Geosciences
Master of Business Administration
Master of Engineering in Industrial Production and Manufacturing
For Winter 2019-2020, a total of 2175 students are enrolled in the following programmes:
Foundation Programme
Bachelor of Science in Urban Planning and Architectural Design
Bachelor of Science in Applied Geosciences
Bachelor of Science in Logistics
Bachelor of Science in International Business and Service Management
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Bachelor of Engineering in Environmental Engineering
Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering
Bachelor of Engineering in Process Engineering