SUMMER S c r i b b l e s N e w s l e t t e r i s f o r p ri v a te c i r c ul a ti on o nl y

2010
Designed, written and produced by the
English Post Foundation Programme
Higher College of Technology, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman

Scribbles EXCLUSIVE!
Read Post Foundation student
Omaima Salim Said Al
Minji’s interview with ELC’s
Elaine Cockerham
Turn to pages 8 and 9 for the full story

Also inside this bumper summer issue of Scribbles you’ll

find useful advice and information on:
Page 10: When spelling spells t-r-o-u-b-l-e!
Page 11: How to improve your writing
Page 12: E-learning @ ELC

And for an eye opening showcase of Post Foundation

Students’ writing, poetry and drawing talents, turn to:
Pages 17-37: Scribbles PF Student Portfolio

Countdown to the holidays:

Page 13: Passports at the ready

Don’t miss our ’tongue in cheek’ article on

Page 14: College Characters
 Team Post Foundation
T he ELC Post Foundation Unit is continually looking at new ways to
help students to improve and enjoy their English learning experience.
To achieve this, we must be united in our teamwork, as our combined
efforts go a long way towards your future success, not only in HCT, but
also throughout your chosen career.

Management Lecturers
Mr Sam Victor
Co-ordinator Post Foundation Programme
Mr Ahmed Al Dissi Technical Writing 1
Director, ELC Mrs Humera Shujat Ali Co-Ordinator
Mrs Alice Panaligan
Mrs Asma Al Ghailani Mr Christopher Selvamony
HOS Dr Afif Othman
English Language Programmes Mr Ramil Ecot
Mr Alan Basmayor
Technical Writing 2
Mrs Elaine Cockerham
Mr Shujat Ali Co-Ordinator
HOS
Mr Jimmy Hollerin
Curriculum & Teaching Methods
Mr Sami Al Busaidi
Mr Y R Balan
Mrs Ghada Sarhan Technical Communications
QA Officer
Mr Ashraf Hydrose Co-Ordinator
Mrs Naina Joseph
Mr Francis Rajendran Mr Prithviraj P K
Registrar Mr Mr Sohail Khan
Public Speaking
Mr Sam Victor
Mr Bahulayan Govind
Writing for School Labs
Mr Adeel Badar
Some lecturers teach more than one subject
 Here’s what you’ll find in Scribbles:
Team Post Foundation 2
Post Foundation A who’s who guide to the Post Foundation Department
Students Wanted by Here’s what you’ll find in Scribbles 3
Your favourite features and where to find them
Scribbles! PF Events: Past, present and future 4
All that’s happening in the PF Department
A Surefire The Director’s Message
A message of encouragement from Mr Ahmed Al Dissi
5

way to Kick A Word from the Editor

PF students’ contributions are the secret of the success of Scribbles
6

Start your From the Desk of our Co-Ordinator

Words of wisdom from Sam Victor
7

Career Scribbles Exclusive with ELC’s Elaine Cockerham

Interview by PF student Omaima Salim Said Al Minji
8/9

When Spelling Spells t-r-o-u-b-l-e! 10

If you intend to enter Befor(e), be(a)cause and conclu(t)ion, and many more!
the media business, How to add the WOW!!! Factor to your writing 11
consider The secret ingredient behind successful writers
Scribbles as Your HCT Library and E-Learning @ ELC 12
Use both to your advantage
the first
Countdown to the Holidays 13
rung on the Passports at the ready
ladder to College Character Ajai & Guest Recipe 14
success. For Meet canteen supremo Ajai, and try out a delicious recipe from PF
example, in Technical Writing 2 student Anfal Ahmed Mohammed Al Noamani’s Mum.
the media Never lose your Sense of Humour! 15
profession, both print and A laugh a day keeps the doctor away!
The Dreaded Assignment 16
online media will play a Don’t - REPEAT DON’T - underestimate it!
major role in your future
job responsibilities, so PF STUDENT PORTFOLIO 17
where better to start
What I really want from life 18
than with Scribbles
A division & classification essay on Movies 19
Newsletter. A lesson in time management 20
No matter which A Student’s Predicament 21
specialization you are Respecting the Older Generation 22
studying, you are A personal definition of Success (Poem) 23
welcome to contribute Glances from My Life 24
articles, illustrations, Gallery Thuraya 25
photographs and What I think of HCT 26
cartoons. This is your Two Embarrassing Moments 27
Newsletter, so take the It’s all about Confidence! 28
opportunity to be seen My College, My Future 29
and heard via the pages
The Light of Life (Poem) 30
of Scribbles. It’s your What are friends for? 31
future that you’re Little words that mean a lot 32
studying for, and Let’s Get Serious! 33
Scribbles will be happy Oman IS a Tourist Attraction! 34
to help you to climb the How to Avoid Twisting in the Wind! 35
ladder to success. I Love You Mom and Dad 36
My Thanks to HM Sultan Qaboos 37
 PF Events: Past, Present and Future
Scribbles launched in style
On Wednesday 6 March 2010, the ELC Management team and Post Foundation
lecturers officially launched the first issue of Scribbles Newsletter. ELC Director,
Ahmed Al Dissi cut the red ribbon of the first bundle of newsletters, and students and
PF staff who contributed articles were presented with their own colour copies. It was
an exciting lunchtime launch, with snacks and refreshments for everyone associated
with Scribbles Newsletter and the Post Foundation Department.

Birthday celebration in PF Staff Room 228

Lecturer Shujat Ali celebrated his birthday in March. Post Foundation Lecturers presented
Shujat with a card, cake and refreshments. His claims of being only twenty one however, fell
on deaf ears! Undaunted, Shujat
was fed cake, and more cake by
a very mysterious arm!.

Adeel Badar joins Team PF as lecturer

Adeel has spent many years in Oman. His first teaching experience was in
Salalah College of Technology, followed by a few years in Nizwa College of
Technology. Adeel is now looking forward to helping students in the Writing
for School Labs section of Post Foundation.
Welcome to Team Post Foundation Adeel.
4
 The Director’s Message

T he first issue of “Scribbles” was launched very successfully and received

a tremendous response from both ELC staff and students.
This second issue includes a
variety of educational, informative and
fun articles which really are worth
reading. The content, design, layout
and graphics are all very important
elements that have to be planned and
considered very carefully, in order to
produce a distinguished and interesting
publication like “Scribbles”. To make it
attractive to readers, the content is
especially important, hopefully instilling
within the reader a feeling of
enjoyment. If the content is stimulating enough, the reader may read many
articles over and over again, and learn from them.
A number of articles have been submitted by our students, and I
congratulate them on their inclusion. It is a wonderful feeling to have your
work published, especially in a language that is not your Mother tongue.
May I close by saying that the second issue of “Scribbles” is another sign
of success at ELC, and is the culmination of combined efforts made by the
Post Foundation team and all the contributing students.
Congratulations to all involved.

Ahmed Al Dissi
Ahmed Al Dissi
Director, ELC

The prestigious new ELC building

where students learn Foundation
English before progressing to the
ELC Post Foundation Programme
in the main college campus.

5
 A Word from the Editor

S am Victor’s vision of a Post Foundation newsletter has at last come

true. After the success of the first issue produced by Christopher,
stepping into his size twelves was a big challenge, so I hope I’ve carried on
the good work.
I’ve tried to ensure that this
issue of Scribbles is entertaining as
well as educational. There’s more
humour and more student input.
There’s a Scribbles exclusive on an
excellent interview with Elaine
Cockerham of ELC, conducted by
our first ever student reporter,
Omaima Salim Said Al Minji, and
you’ll find some interesting advice on writing and spelling. And there’s fun,
because in my opinion, where would we be without a good laugh?
The content of this issue is all down to the enthusiasm, talents and skills
of our Post Foundation students. The articles by students show incredible
writing and artistic qualities that we are not privileged to witness very
often. So come on students, share your creative talents with others, and
showcase your writing, illustrations, photography, cartoons and other
ideas in the Scribbles PF Student Portfolio. We’ll help with your writing if
you’re a little nervous.
To my PF colleagues, let’s continue to work together to give our
students the foundation they need to launch successful careers. To
students, work as hard as you can to the best of your abilities, and rewards
will follow. Teachers are here to help, encourage, motivate, and to lead by
example. Feel proud of what you can do, and feel especially proud
that you are all communicating in a second language.
It’s a busy life in Post Foundation, but my gratitude and appreciation to the
five PF teachers who made the extra effort to encourage their students to
contribute articles; Alice, Christopher, Alan, Balan and Prithviraj, and to Elaine for
giving Omaima her first Scribbles reporting assignment - which, may I add,
Omaima passed with flying colours!

Jimmy
Jimmy Hollerin
Editor/Lecturer

6
From the Desk of our Co-ordinator

Warmest greetings colleagues and PF students

I am immensely pleased to meet you all again via the pages of our summer
edition of Scribbles Newsletter, which is our second issue. It’s jam packed
with articles that I hope you will all
find very interesting.

As dedicated educators, we are

all aware that education is the pivot
of civilization, the growth and
development of an individual, and a
nation as a whole. Education is not
only how much you have committed
to memory - it is knowledge which
helps people distinguish between
what they know, and what they don’t.

I am really privileged to place on record my sincere gratitude to the Post

Foundation team for writing and publishing the second issue of Scribbles,
which is fast becoming a College favourite. My thanks goes to Mr. Ahmed Al
Dissi, Director, ELC, for his constant support, Elaine Cockerham, HOS,
Curriculum and Teaching Methods, Asma Al Ghailani, HOS, English Language
Programmes, Ghada Sarhan, QA Officer and Francis Rajendran, PF Registrar,
for their encouragement.

On behalf of myself and the entire Post Foundation team, let me take
this opportunity to welcome our new Dean, Dr. Ahmed Mohsin
Mohammed Al Ghassani, and may the Almighty continue to bless him with
the divine wisdom of perfect guidance and counselling.

Before I sign out, I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to the PF
Course Co-ordinators and teachers for their sincerity, dedication and hard
work throughout the Academic Year. My special thanks to Jimmy Hollerin,
editor of this issue.

‘We do no great things, only small things, with great love’

Sam Victor
Sam Victor
Post Foundation Department Co-Ordinator

7
 Scribbles EXCLUSIVE!
Post Foundation TW2 student
interviews Elaine Cockerham
Scribbles very first student reporter gives her account of a face
to face interview with ELC’s Head of Section.
Interview by Omaima Salim Said Al Minji
Photography by Technical Writing 2 student Refqa Salim Mohammed Al Rawahi

“Hello readers. My name is Omaima Salim Said Al Minji. I’m a student in Technical Writing
2, and was lucky enough to have been appointed as Scribbles very first student reporter, and
had the good fortune to conduct a face to face interview with Elaine Cockerham, Head of
Section, ELC, at our College.
Some people can lead by example and influence others accordingly. In
all walks of life, these people can be categorized as role models, and teach
others how to adopt positive attitudes at all times. Elaine is one such role
model to students and colleagues, and I was delighted to spend some time
with her, to find out how she is working hard behind the scenes in the
Post Foundation programme, and what her efforts mean to PF students. I
began by asking Elaine a few questions about her family life, and moved on
to her role in ELC, and more importantly for PF students, her
involvement with the Post Foundation programme.
I hope my questions and Elaine’s answers gives students an insight into all the hard work
that is being done by Post Foundation Management and Lecturers behind the scenes as well
as in the classroom. My questions are indicated in italics, with Elaine’s answers in bold type.”

In which city, and in which country were you born?

I was born in Birmingham, England, United Kingdom.
How many children do you have?
I have two children, one boy and one girl. Their names are
Harry and Lydia. Harry is 8 years old and Lydia is 17 years old.
Are your children in Muscat, and if so, which school do they go to?
Yes, they are here with my husband and me, and they are
in the British School in Madinat Qaboos.
Let’s move to your professional life…were you a teacher at ELC?
Yes, I spent a few years teaching Foundation at ELC.
Do your present responsibilities cover all 4 English skills?
When I was teaching, yes, but now a major part of my job is to source and
select suitable educational books for the whole of the ELC Department.
Are there any plans for Post Foundation class sizes to be reduced so that we can have more
individual attention from teachers?
Yes, and I agree with this idea, because if class sizes are lower, there will be
more individual attention. We would love to have more classes to reduce the
number of students in each, but to do this we will need more teachers, and that
could be difficult for the Ministry, as it means the Ministry will have to reconsider
it’s current strategy and increase the budget for more teachers.
8
Do you think TOEFL is a fair examination process for student ability assessment?
No, because all the questions in TOEFL are multiple choice. There’s no writing
questions, and no speaking questions. Therefore, there’s nothing productive.
Do you think that IELTS is better than TOEFL?
Nothing is similar to IELTS, because
all questions are productive. Students
must work hard to answer them, without
depending on luck. We would like to
have IELTS rather than TOEFL in HCT,
but this is up to the Ministry.
Will we ever have Post Foundation classes where
students can be grouped according to ability levels?
There used to be, but that changed
due to the Ministry’s decisions, so if we want to do the same now, we would have a
major long term task ahead of us. We are all in favour of this at ELC, but we can
only implement it with approval from the Ministry.
Can you explain what ESP means, and how it would benefit PF students?
ESP means English for Specific Purposes. It means that the content of TW1 and
TW2 courses could be amended to include topics and exercises to suit students’
specializations. We would integrate new vocabulary that you can expect to find in
your specialisations. For instance, the English language you will encounter in IT or
Business, will be more than just everyday English. It will be English for your chosen
specialisation subjects, and we would like to help our students with that. It will
make the transition from Foundation to Post Foundation, and then on to your
specializations easier. We are presently working hard to achieve this.
Are there any immediate plans to introduce English for Specific Purposes into Technical Writing?
Yes. We will try to introduce it as soon as we feel we are ready. ESP will make
your courses more specific and less general, and we will change the content and
objectives of both courses, and the course books, to benefit our students.
Do you think “Scribbles” is a good showcase for students’ work, and a useful insight into management
and teacher’s thoughts and plans?
Yes, I think it is a great communication vehicle between students, teachers and
management. It’s a voice where each of us can be seen and heard, and we hope to
make it a permanent, official publication.
So is there any chance that the Ministry might sanction actual print quantities of say, 1,000 copies?
At this stage, it’s too soon to tell. We hope to receive some positive feedback
from the Dean and the Ministry, and we’ll see what the future holds for Scribbles.
I’m sure that whatever happens, you will see future
issues, as the teachers involved in the production of
Scribbles strongly believe in their newsletter.
Did you work in any institution in Oman before coming to HCT, and
if so, was it better than HCT?
In answer to the first part of your question,
Omaima, yes, previously I worked in the National
Training Institute in Muscat. Moving on to the second
part of your question, HCT is better than any place I
have ever worked in, and I’d like to finish my career in
the Higher College of Technology.
Thanks very much, Miss Elaine, for giving me so much of your time.
You’re very welcome, Omaima. Thanks for a great
interview. In my opinion, conducting an interview in
the language that you are learning in HCT just goes to
show that our College is producing some excellent students of English. I wish you
and all at Scribbles good luck for the future. 9
 When spelling spells t-r-o-u-b-l-e!
S pelling is one of the biggest problems in English language learning. Having progressed
through the ELC Foundation levels, we expect our Post Foundation students to have
mastered the correct spelling of basic words. Spelling proficiency will follow you into many
areas of your business and personal lives. In
business, you will need to write emails,
reports and even memos. Your spelling will
make a difference as to how someone
thinks of you. If you send a resume
peppered with errors, your chances of
landing that dream job are zero! The
internet is no different. If you are chatting
with a cyber-friend in another country, he
or she will click you into oblivion if your spelling is so bad that your English is hard to
understand. It’s well worth the extra effort to practice your spelling.
One of the reasons why teachers always stress the importance of spelling is because
some students are guilty of repeating basic errors. Hands up all those who spell before
without an ‘e’ at the end, or the word because, as ‘beacause’, and conclusion as
‘counclution’. How can you improve your spelling? Read, read, and read...and practice,
with a dictionary by your side. Teachers always give the all too often ignored advice,
“Carry a dictionary!” Most students unfortunately, don’t. Your teachers had to do it.
Many years ago, long before the invention of the internet and pocket sized electronic
devices, dictionaries were as heavy as bricks. That’s why some of your ELC teachers have
bigger biceps than Arnold Schwarzenegger! (Check the spelling on that one!)
Dictionaries are heavy, but so is a briefcase full of cash. After a while, you could still
have the briefcase, but the cash will be long gone, but you can bet your bottom dollar that
you’ll still have the dictionary, which will be worth it’s weight in gold forever! Dictionaries
are an invaluable resource to learners of English, as is the internet.
When online, I use www.m-w.com. Try it. You’ll also find an indispensible tool for
writers on this website called a thesaurus. And if you think a thesaurus is some sort of
dinosaur, look it up in your dictionary!

On the lighter side…

An HCT student teaches his Professor a lesson!
A Professor and his HCT student went camping in the desert. After they set up
their tent, they crawled inside and both fell sound asleep. Some hours later, when it was
still dark, the student woke the Professor and said, “Hey Professor, look towards the
sky, what do you see?” The Professor replied, “I see millions and millions of stars.”

“And what does that tell you, Professor?” asked the student. The Professor pondered
for a moment and then said, “Astronomically speaking, it tells me there are millions of galaxies
and potentially billions of planets. Astrologically, it tells me that Saturn is in Leo. Time wise, it
appears to be approximately a quarter past three in the morning. Theologically, the Lord is all-
powerful and we are small and insignificant. Meteorologically, it seems we will have a beautiful day
tomorrow. And what does it tell you my student?” The student replied, “It tells me Professor,
that even with all your qualifications, you are not living in the real world, because it
also tells me Sir, that someone stole the tent while we were asleep!”
10
 How to add the WOW!!! factor
to your writing
W hat’s the WOW!!! factor? It’s the element of surprise, and it’s something every
successful writer includes whether writing a novel or an essay. This, unfortunately,
is the one missing ingredient in many a student’s essay. It can make or break your reader’s
enjoyment in the flow of the content. The inspiration to write can come from your own
lifestyle. Your family, friends, events in your life, like holidays and celebrations. Everything
leaves its mark on you in some way. If, when you see the topic of your writing exam, you
can relate to it from a personal viewpoint, you could and should be inspired to write a
great essay. Inspiration often comes from within. You just add the WOW!!! factor.  
It’s not sufficient just to write what the reader expects. When you write, you should
always include an element of surprise, as it makes readers sit up and take notice of the
story. It’s something a little different to what readers anticipate. At the planning stage, try
and remember to include the
WOW!!! factor, and your writing
(and marks) should improve. Get
your readers (and teachers) ready to
expect the unexpected - not the
same content as everyone else. It’s
the surprise ingredient in any story
that gets you noticed. It can make
the difference between a good writer and a great writer. Famous novelists like Agatha
Christie, John Grisham, Stephen King and JK Rowling are all successful writers, thanks to
the WOW!!! factor.
Of course, introducing the WOW!!! factor into your writing depends on a few things.
Your own limitations for one. If you have learned all the basic elements of writing an essay,
it’s up to you to let your imagination take over. But there’s one rule you must stick to, and
that is to keep the WOW!!! factor related to your topic. By all means, write a normal,
informative introduction, but in the body of your essay, if you want to increase your
marks, or even become a professional writer, include the often missing surprise ingredient.
It will knock your readers off their feet. They will be so taken aback that they will read
your essay again and again, and your teacher might even show it as an example of great
writing to other students. If you’re really lucky, your essay might even be featured in an
issue of Scribbles. Fame and fortune awaits. Well, the fame is instantly guaranteed within your
College, but the fortune might come a little later.
A perfect example of how the WOW!!! factor contributes to many a writer’s success
is Harry Potter, and his female author/creator, JK Rowling, who is world famous for her
now iconic fictional character. Her books have been translated into every language. She
introduced many WOW!!! factors into each Harry Potter story.
Do you have the imagination to create a Harry Potter equivalent for the Arab world?
Sindbad the Sailor and Ali Baba had several WOW!!! Factors in their adventure stories.
Could you turn Moroccan adventurer and explorer Ibn Battuta into an iconic 21st century
thrill seeker? Could you unleash an Ahmed or an Amani Potter that would take Oman and
the Gulf region by storm? If you can, Scribbles reserves the right to serialise your story
in forthcoming issues - free of charge of course!

Good luck with your writing.

11
 An HCT English learning resource
that’s right on your doorstep
O n the first floor of the ‘Old Building’ in HCT, you’ll find
one of the best educational resources in Oman. HCT
have presented you with all you need to progress your
language learning experience. For general English, English for
specialisations and internet access for research assignments
etc, your ELC Library is here to help. In between classes,
you can study in a quiet, peaceful environment on campus
with your classmates and friends.
The ELC Library online service also provides direct URL
links to informative websites that cover specialisation
subjects like Engineering and Technology, Physics,
Chemistry, Mathematics and Statistics, Business and
Economics, Language and Literature, Dictionaries and
Encyclopaedia etc. You can access these online resources by
visiting the HCT website, clicking on our Library page, and then clicking on the ‘Useful
Links’ button. If you think you don’t have enough time to visit in person, turn to Page 20 of
’Scribbles’ Newsletter for interesting advice and ideas on time management. Remember,
your studies and grades can affect your future ambitions, and career plans.
Information
is knowledge.
Knowledge is
power.
And both are
within your
reach in the
HCT Library.
Make the
most of it!

E-learning @ HCT
An exciting new e-learning online programme is
now available to all HCT students. You can log on
using your own laptop if you visit the HELP DESK at
the ETC Administration Building, where they
will register your request to enable you to access
the wireless system.

The e-learning site can also be accessed by visiting:

http://e-learning on the college intranet or
on the internet at
www.e-learning.hct.edu.om
12
 Countdown to the Holidays
Passports at the Ready
Believe it or not, we’re human also, and we love our holidays as much as you do!
Checkout the July holiday destinations of seven of Post Foundation’s finest!

Tamil Nadu, India England Singapore

United Kingdom and India
After another successful but hectic Balan’s striking a sombre pose here,
academic year of leading his Post but we’re sure he’ll cheer up a little
Foundation team, Sam and his wife come July. He’s visiting Singapore
will be spending their vacation at and his home in Tamil Nadu, India
home in Tamil Nadu. Although most for his summer vacation this year.
of Sam’s children live and work in But if our Mr Balan’s not wearing a
Muscat, there will be a family smile on holiday, you can be sure of
gathering over in India, where they one thing...he will be wearing his
can enjoy each other’s company in baseball cap!
a relaxed family atmosphere.
The UK won’t be as hot as Oman,
but that won’t bother Elaine, her
husband and 2 children. Their base
will be in Leicester, England, where
most of their relatives live, but they
will also visit many English
university towns as daughter Lydia
will be applying for enrolment to an
English university next Autumn.

Three different locations, one destination..The Philippines!

And don’t our 3 Filipino teachers look happy!
Well, Alan and Ramil do anyway.
As for Alice, we can only assume she’s camera shy, crying with tears of
joy, or has her mouth full of cake (and more cake) from Shujat’s
birthday party! Yes, all three are heading home sweet home for their
summer holidays. Alan and Ramil will be in Zamboanga Del Sur,
Mindanao, in the south, while Alice will be ruling the roost in Cagayan
Valley, Luzon in the north. Ramil will also spend some time holidaying
in Manila, the busy, bustling capital of the Philippines.

Pattaya,Thailand
Jimmy comes from Edinburgh, Scotland, UK, but has lived in Thailand for over
fifteen years with his Thai wife. Jimmy says, “When I return to Thailand, it can be
just like Muscat, as I meet many Omanis who visit Pattaya for their holidays. It’s a
little different to the Omani capital, but I’m sure they enjoy the laid back lifestyle,
the food, and Thai hospitality.” As well as Pattaya, Jimmy will be in Bangkok to visit
the kids at the school where he used to teach before HCT, and will travel around
Amazing Thailand visiting friends and family. “I’m beginning to have second
thoughts about the hair on my face! My wife won’t like it. I don’t think she’ll let me
over the doorstep if she sees me like this. Maybe she won’t even recognize me!”
13
 College Characters
Canteen Supremo Ajai and his menu

A jai is a familiar face in HCT. Always smiling, always laughing. At what, I have no idea.
As one sets out to try and have a friendly conversation with Ajai, he speaks in his own
inimitable language that resembles a fusion of English, Hindi, Urdu and possibly Arabic, with
a splash of Tagalog thrown in for good measure.
 
If having a chat with Ajai is a little
bewildering, then choosing your meal from
the canteen menu is easy. Ajai proudly offers a
choice of falafel, egg or schwarma as starters,
or for breakfast. His lunchtime ‘a la carte’
menu is, shall we say, consistent, but don’t
expect to see any dishes from the Shangri La
Hotel. You’re more likely to encounter
something from Gordon Ramsay’s hit MBC4
cooking show, ‘Hell’s Kitchen!’
Let’s see what’s on Ajai’s menu. On
Saturday, there’s chicken. On Sunday there’s
chicken. On Monday there might, just might,
be fish, which admittedly doesn’t look like fish,
and could be chicken in disguise! On Tuesday there’s chicken. And then, surprise, surprise,
on Wednesday, there’s chicken! Some of us though, after all that chicken, might just cluck,
cluck, cluck all the way home for a welcome change of menu. But then, on the following
Saturday, guess what’s on Ajai’s menu? Yes, you’ve guessed it! Chicken!
Where though, would we be without the smiling Ajai? They say a picture speaks a
thousand words, but looking at our photo of canteen supremo, Ajai, Lord of all he Purveys,
I can’t work out if he’s laughing with us, or at us!

Here’s a dish you won’t find on Ajai’s canteen menu

If you’re looking for something delicious to cook at the weekend, Technical Writing 2 student
Anfal Ahmed Mohammed Al Noamani and her Mum, Salha, present this tasty recipe for:

Prawn Spring Rolls

Ingredients: The Dip:
(500 grams) medium sized prawns Handful coriander & parsley
Pinch of salt 1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 tsp chicken masala & sambar powder Pinch of salt
1/2 tsp Omani masala 3 tablespoons soy sauce
1/2 tsp black pepper and paprika 3 tablespoons vinegar
1 tsp fresh lime juice 2 tablespoons tomato ketchup
1/2 packet sambusa pastry 2 chillies (to taste)
2 cups oil for frying
3 tablespoons flour & a 1/4 cup water

Directions: Clean the prawns by removing shell and head. Mix all spices in a bowl, add the prawns. Let it
rest for at least 30 mins. Put three tablespoons of flour into another bowl, and add water slowly. Mix until
soft (no lumps). Roll each prawn in a half sambusa pastry until you reach the end. Seal it using the flour
and water mixture. Pour the two cups of oil into a frying pan. When the oil is hot add the prawn spring
rolls slowly. When golden, put them on a plate. For the dip, mix one spoon of vinegar with soy sauce, then
add a pinch of salt and ketchup. Finely slice the coriander and parsley, add sliced chilli to taste.
14
 Never lose your sense of humour...
Why, Why, Why? JobSearch
Lighten up a little with Scribbles. An apple a day keeps the

Horror
doctor away, but a laugh a day keeps the blues away.
#1. Why do we press harder on a remote
control when we know the batteries
are almost dead?
#2. Why do people always believe you when you
Stories
say there are four billion stars; but have to Careful what you say!
check when you say the paint is still wet? At an interview, an applicant
was asked what person he
#3. Why did Japanese Kamikaze pilots wear would most like to meet, living
safety helmets? or dead, and his response was
‘the living one.’
#4. Whose idea was it to put an 'S' in
Dirty business?
the word 'lisp'?
“I once got talking to my
#5. The statistics on sanity is that one out of newly employed friend whose
job it was to sit alongside the IT
every four people suffer from some sort of Systems Administrator for 2
mental illness. Think of your three best friends weeks, and write a report on
-- if they're okay, then you must be the fourth! his processes and practices.
Naturally the Systems
Administrator would be on his
Here’s proof that your RIGHT FOOT is best behavior, showing off all
the clever things he did to keep
smarter than your BRAIN! the company’s computer
It seems that there are some things that the brain cannot network ticking over. But at the
handle. This movement will confuse your mind and you will end of the two weeks, he would
keep trying over and over again to see if be fired. This was the method
you can outsmart your foot, but, you the company used to replace
can't. No way! Try it now... their IT people, making sure
the replacement (my friend)
1. While sitting at your desk, lift your was fully trained and the guy
right foot off the floor and make he was replacing didn’t cause
clockwise circles. any damage before he left.”

2. Now, while doing this, draw the ‘Write’ or wrong?

number '6' in the air with your right hand. Your foot will When a candidate was
change direction. asked about his greatest ever
accomplishment, he replied
that it was writing a short
There's nothing you can do about it! You and I both
novel. When the interviewer
know how stupid it is, but before the day is done you said, ‘No, I mean something
are going to try it again and again, if you've not already you did while at work,’ the
done so. Don’t waste time because you can’t outsmart candidate replied,
your right foot! ‘But I did write it while at
work!’
Now, back to reading Scribbles! 15
 The Dreaded Assignment!
S ome students actually enjoy this part of the Post Foundation courses, as it’s a welcome
break from writing essays. With the assignment, your final grade is in your own hands.
You will be well rewarded if you produce an excellent report and presentation, but if you
consider the assignment as a waste of
time, it could affect your grades
considerably.
There is ample time to complete the
assignment, and students even get to
choose the topic from an extensive list.
You are also working in a group, so
between you, the steps necessary to
complete the report can be distributed
evenly. It’s all about teamwork, and it’s
essential to work together, because when you begin your very first job, you will become
part of an already established team in your workplace. The oral presentations are also an
integral part of the assignment, and give you the
chance to speak in front of others, both individually
and as a group. This builds confidence.
If you try to take a short cut by copying and
pasting information from the internet, with no editing
or paraphrasing on your part, and include it in your
report, that is plagiarism. And that means zero marks.
One of the lessons we’re trying to teach you is that
nobody can copy anyone else’s work and pass it off as
their own, in education or in business life. Don’t leave
everything to the last minute. Organise the workload professionally using an action plan
and the time management skills you can find on page 20 of ‘Scribbles’. The total of 20
marks for the assignment can play a big part in whether you pass or fail the course. Do it
faithfully and you could achieve very good course marks. Your biggest mistake however,
could be to dismiss the assignment as a waste of time, because when your marks are
posted, you will see just how big an error you have made!
Help yourself and your colleagues to achieve good grades. True, there are those who
will not do anything. In this case, you must tell your teacher at the very beginning, so
appropriate measures can be taken to protect your own marks and grades.
Technical Writing, Technical Communications, Public Speaking and Writing for Lab
Science courses are helping you towards a brighter future. Make the most of your time in
Post Foundation, and help us to help you to achieve your career ambitions.

Clowning Around!
A teacher in Post Foundation was giving a lecture on the respect
and behavior he expected from his students. He said sarcastically, “If
there are any clowns in the room, will they please stand up!” All
the students stayed in their seats, and didn’t know quite what to do,
or what to say. However, after a long silence, one student rose to his
feet. “Aha! We have one!” exclaimed the teacher triumphantly. With
a sneer, he continued, “Now then student, why do you consider
yourself to be a clown?” The student looked at the teacher, looked at his fellow students
seated all around him, and said, “Well, actually Sir, I don’t consider myself to be a
clown, but I hate to see you standing up there all by yourself.”
16
 Check out the
Introducing the Scribbles PF excellent PF
students writing and

Student Portfolio
drawing talents on
the next few pages.

#1 Mohammed
Mudathir
Education comes in all forms, so take a few moments to read, reflect Mohammed Al Farsi
upon and remember the articles printed below.
#2 Anfal Ahmed
Mohammed
Be a responsible and Never lose your Al Noamani

mature student driver! respect for others #3 Omaima Salim

Said Al Minji
Many young HCT students are lucky enough
to own cars. Some cars are new, some a few A round of #4 Yousuf Hamed
years older, but all are deadly weapons in the Hamood Al Harthi
applause for all
hands of careless and reckless drivers. Driving at HCT College #5 Ahlam Abdullah
speed is not something to be proud of, nor does Saif Al-Mahrouqi
maintenance
it impress onlookers or other drivers. A major
staff who keep your college #6 Shaima Hassan
cause of accidents in Oman is the use of mobile
phones whilst driving. Cellphones are NOT to campus colourful, clean and tidy. Qader Al Baloushi

be used while you are driving. How can you #7 Zainab Emad
possibly drive safely and speak, read or send Ahmed Abdul Rasool
sms texts on your phone at the same time?
Don’t do it! #8 Thuraya Saif
Rashid Al Kalbani
Show respect for others and obey the
rules of the road. If you don’t know them, #9 Ahmed
study them well, because a serious Mohammed Badar Al
clampdown on irresponsible and dangerous Kindi
should be a priority of the authorities to #10 Tasneem
make Oman’s roads safer for everyone. Mohammed Al
You can help by putting your
Don’t ruin someone else’s life – litter in the bins provided
Ghassani

or your own. around the campus. #11 Zamzam

Hamdan Abdullah Al
Farsi

What goes around comes around! #12 Sharifa Said

Khalfan Al Masroori
Writing on furniture at home is not something your parents would
approve of. The college is no different. Desks are not for writing on, so don’t #13 Al Batool
write on them. Respect the fact that fellow students have to use the same Abdullah Al Ismaili

desks, so keep the surfaces clean at all times. Don’t complain to your teacher #14 Maythaa Khalfan
that the surface of your desk is dirty, and the once brilliant white sleeve of Saif Al Mahrizi
your dishdasha is now covered in pencil! The solution is simple. If you see #15 Amira Aziz Al
another student defacing a desk, tell them to stop it. And don’t do it yourself. Harthi
Because one day, you might find yourself complaining
about dirty sleeves, and the dirt may have come from #16 Nasra Said
Khalfan Al Masroori
your very own pen or pencil!
#17 Fatima Habib
Abdallah Al Jelani
The graphic is childish, but so is writing
on desks - don’t do it! #18 Hanaa Abdul
Majeed Al Darmaki

#19 Muhja Ali Al

Attention budding PF Student Writers! Lamki

If you want to publish samples of your writing, illustrations, cartoons or photographs in #20 Safa Khalid Al
the next issue of Scribbles Newsletter, speak to your PF teacher for guidance. Mukhaini
17
New ideas always welcome.
 Scribbles “What I really want from life…”
Student
Portfolio We all have hopes and aspirations. We all dream and pray for success.
We all want to be the best that we can be. Mohammed is no different, and his
#1
values are admirable. As it says in the poem on page 23, success doesn’t always
have to be about money. Here’s a few words from Technical Writing 2 student
Mohammed on his own hopes and aspirations for his future.

See how many of Mohammed’s wishes are similar to your own.

Mohammed
Mudathir
Mohammed Al
Farsi

ID#12S08362

Mohammed is a “Who doesn’t want to be happy? Everyone wants to be

Technical Writing 2
Post Foundation happy, but being happy isn’t an easy thing that comes
student. just like that. Some people have a lot of money but aren’t
Engineering is his happy, and aren’t satisfied with their lives. Other people
specialization, and
Mohammed sees are poor, but living a peaceful and happy life. There are
his future in the many things that make me happy.
civil engineering
profession.
His hobbies are all The first and most important thing that makes me happy
types of sport, cars,
chatting and
is living in a peaceful home. I mean, to live in a home
making new without being mistreated, without misunderstandings
friends. and without mistrust. In other words, the most important
His wish is to
complete his studies thing to me is to live in a loving home.
successfully and
secure a good job
with a bright future. The next thing that makes me happy is to be a successful
person. Although I’m not very clever, I am a
Editor’s Note: hardworking person, always looking forward to getting
In his article, and in better, to improving myself and to succeeding in life.
his own words,
Mohammed humbly The last thing that makes me happy is to get a good job.
admits to being “not A good job is necessary because without one, life will
very clever”. Don’t
believe it. As his TW2 always be a struggle. Life is expensive these days, so in
teacher, Mohammed
is a model student,
order for me to live a good and healthy life, I need to get
with a high level of a good job.
intelligence!

To summarise, although there are many things that

could make me happy, I have mentioned only three of
them, which are: a peaceful home, being a successful
person, and getting a good job. With these three things, I
can make myself and my family happy.”

18
 A Division & Classification essay on MOVIES Scribbles
Student
Many people like to spend their free time watching movies. Portfolio
Nowadays, there are different kinds of movies to please everyone’s #2
tastes, and there’s nowhere better to watch a movie than a cinema,
where there’s popcorn, a variety of drinks and a large screen. Movies
can be classified into many categories, and using the principle of
my favorite, I have classified them into horror, cartoon and comedy.

The first group of movies is horror movies. Horror movies are

made to scare people and send a cold chill down their spine, and
while many people enjoy them, some people don’t. Going to a cinema
where demons and monsters creep and crawl around on screen, and
there isn’t always a quick way out, can be a frightening experience. Anfal Ahmed
Mohammed Al
Examples of horror movies are Pulse, where evil spirits haunt the
Noamani
living, and Saw, which is another famous horror movie, where a
man suffering from cancer takes people and tortures them in ID#16S09127
different sick and very scary and evil ways.
A Technical Writing
The second group of movies is cartoons. One of the best things
2 student, Anfal is
about cartoons is that they suit all ages. They can be watched a at her most creative
thousand times over and never get old, for example, The Lion King, when writing and
and Finding Nemo, which is a story of a small clownfish that got cartooning. The
separated from his dad, so essay she presents
his fearful father had to here was one of the
swim all the way to Sydney, best in the Writing
Australia to find him. Up is Quiz organized by
one of the latest cartoon Technical Writing 2
movies that was a box office last February
hit and was extremely (2010).
hilarious.
For Scribbles
The last group of movies Newsletter, she has
is comedy. After a difficult added a new
day of working at the office, dimension to her
essay with the
many people enjoy watching
introduction of her
movies that will make them laugh out loud until their stomachs
cartoon illustration
ache. Everyone loves a good laugh every now and then to take their
of happy, young
mind off of things and to relax. One of the most classic comedies is
moviegoers.
Mr. Bean, which is about a very bizarre man who always acts in a
funny way. Stepbrothers is also a comedy movie about two grown
men who act like children and still live with their parents. There are
many, many other comedy movies that are equally as funny.

To sum up, movies began many generations ago and are still
being made today. Watching movies is one of the things a person
can do in his leisure time. Movies can be classified into many
groups, but I have classified only three of them, using the principle
of my favorite. In my opinion, watching movies is a great way for a
family to get together, and spend quality time doing something
enjoyable with each other.

19
 Scribbles A Lesson in Time Management
Student
Omaima learned about the value of time management the hard way. One evening,
Portfolio she returned home from HCT with the intention of studying into the evening. When
#3 she arrived home she was exhausted, too tired to eat, so decided to have a quick nap.
Her ‘quick nap’ lasted from 7.00pm until midnight! Now she was in big trouble. She
had planned to complete her part of the TW2 writing assignment, which involved
several pages. She also wanted to research an interesting topic for her regular
Wednesday morning speaking lesson in the ELC library. She didn’t want her teachers
to think she wasn’t interested, so Omaima burned the midnight oil and eventually
finished at 5.00 in the morning! It was too late to sleep, so she got ready for another
day at College. After her class, she went to her speaking lesson in the library, and
guess what topic she wanted to discuss...time management! Outlined below are the
Omaima Salim
important time management points Omaima now considers in order to manage her
Said Al Minji
time, and to help her achieve her ambitions. Take note students, take note!
ID# 12S08422 “With time management, you can get more done in less
time. When you plan your time, you can see the amount of
Omaima is a work that needs to be tackled.
Technical Writing 2
Post Foundation #1. Once you make a list of the things you need to
student. As a busy
student, she tackle, identify those you should do first. Prioritise the
realizes the list into important and time sensitive categories, and
importance of
organising her free start with the first one.
time.
Omaima plans her #2. When you plan, you are making a wise investment of
studying as a very limited resource - time. Knowing what to work on,
accurately as she
can, because she when to do it, and knowing how much time you have to
knows that time finish makes you more focused and ensures that you will
management skills
can contribute to get more quality work out...and on time.
her success in
learning English. #3. Here’s one of my personal favorites. Why is time
Omaima’s hobbies management important? Simple, when you write down
are reading, acting,
what you need to do – it’s there, right in front of you
travelling and, when
given the chance, and staring you in the face. You are forced to tackle it.
being an To me it is a target I have set myself, and I must live up
announcer. Her to the challenge regardless of how much I hate doing it.
ambition is to be a
medical equipment #4. Whether it’s studying or making a career plan – time
engineer.
management keeps you on track. With your goals stated
and time allocated, the likelihood of you staying within
the boundaries you have given yourself is higher. Don’t
make excuses when you start to get tired!

#5. If you cannot manage your time, how do you plan to

achieve your goals? I find that learning to manage my
time helps to discipline me.

I hope I have given my fellow students a fairly good idea of

why time management is so important. Once you start, you
will immediately feel the benefits. That will spur you on
20 towards your future success in HCT and beyond.”
 A Student’s Predicament Scribbles
Student
“I Hate Studying” Portfolio
#4
On the way to my class, I passed by another which to me didn’t
look normal, because the students in that class weren't having the
attention of the teacher. Each student was doing their own thing. I
saw one student sleeping, some chatting on cellphones, and others
behaving badly. There were many other negative things going on in
this classroom. So what was the problem? The problem was that the
students did not understand the lesson, and the teacher just
ignored them. Let's take a look at the many causes and effects of
such a problem.
There are many Yousuf Hamed
causes that come from Hamood Al
Harthi
the students, teachers
and the college
ID#12S08304
administration. For
example, some students
don't have any Yousuf’s dream job
ambition, and without is to be an
animator. There’s
this important factor, no animation
they don’t have the company in Oman
desire to study, and this that I know of, but
can result in bad there’s nothing
behavior. Teachers can wrong with
ambition, and
also be at fault. Maybe
making a supreme
their teaching style is effort to achieve it.
boring and the subject Yousuf is studying
isn’t explained properly. Engineering, just in
Another cause could be case he has to
revert to landing a
that the teacher’s attitude towards students makes them hate him/
job in PDO or OXY.
her. The college administration causes problems too, for example, it He does have a few
gives students a horrible timetable, which very often is from 8.00am years of study
to 8.00pm, with some late hours on a Wednesday. As a result of these ahead of him, but if
causes, we can find many effects. there’s anyone out
The effects of these causes can be very serious for students. If a there who can help
him to turn his
student is not interested in studying due to a lack of ambition, he/ dream into reality,
she won't find a good job because they will fail in their exams. If a or if anyone has any
teacher isn’t helping, students will switch off due to being given no ‘wasta’ with family
explanation of subjects and topics. Another effect is, with a 12 hour or friends in the
timetable, students will be very tired. However many teachers do not media industry,
please contact the
consider this and keep giving homework. During the week, many
Post Foundation
students live in uncomfortable hostels and want to be with their Department, and
families at the weekend. We can find that there are several negative we’ll put you in
effects of why some students have no interest in studying. touch with our
In conclusion, most of these causes can be avoided. If teachers budding animator.
and the college administration made an effort to understand our
situation, things would improve. I personally enjoy studying, but I
want to bring some attention to our predicament. In my opinion, if
students, teachers and the college administration all work together,
we can solve the problem of students who hate studying.
21
(This article and 3D illustration is by PF student Yousuf, exclusively for Scribbles Newsletter)
 Scribbles Respecting the Older Generation
Student
Portfolio
#5
Ahlam Abdullah
Saif Al-Mahrouqi
Days fly by so quickly, and life goes on, and before we
ID#1201092 know it ‘the old times’ are gone. Day by day we notice the
differences around us, but never take the time to think
Here’s a story from
19 year old Ahlam
about them. From generation to generation new goals
that is written are born, while the old are gold.
straight from her
heart. It’s a story
From generation to generation we cherish, carry and
that will make you
stop, think, and maintain the legacy and pride of what the older
maybe even shed a generations accomplished, and left for present and
tear or two, no
matter where you future generations. We are the seeds of the older
come from. generation’s hard work and achievements; we are the
Our Technical light of their darkened life, of the pain, of the hunger
Writing 1 student and of the cries of war that marked their childhood. We
has a way with
words, and an are indeed their glory that will forever rise and shine
incredible grasp of with honor and pride. We are what the older generation
how to put on
paper all the have always wished and worked for!
emotions that each
of us experience. Our grandparents were amazing people. Whatever
Ahlam joined HCT their flaws and problems, as a generation, they also had
on the 2nd January strengths and values. They were a generation charged
2010, and PF
teachers are proud with enormous tasks. They changed the world; they
to have her in our modernized it so that we could have the life they always
programme.
dreamed we’d have. The older generation unleashed a
Her ambition is phenomenon they could never have predicted; they gave
“to make a
difference in us so much!
someone’s life,
and to be From generation to generation we pass on love,
remembered.”
respect, care, honesty and the seven elements of life.

“In a house which becomes home, one hands down, and

another takes up, the heritage of mind and heart.”
(Antoine De Saint-Exupery)

As we look back at generations gone by, our

grandparents reflect the memories of the past that bind
us together, as both future and past come together to
build a story that forever will last.

From generation to generation we pass on love,

respect, and heritage of mind and heart; the most
important values of life!!
22
 A personal definition of Success Scribbles
Student
Success comes in all shapes and sizes. Some people only Portfolio
associate success with money and material possessions. #6
Not so our Technical Communications student Shaima, Shaima Hassan
who presents this heartwarming interpretation of success Qader
Al Balaushi
in rhyme. In her short poem, she provides food for
ID#0126133
thought on what the word success means to her. This is
an excellent piece of poetry, and just goes to show that
A Technical
there is plenty of truth in the old adage;
Communications
and IT student,
“The pen is mightier than the sword.” Shaima’s ambition
is to be a software
engineer. She says if
the terms were

“Success” right, she’d even be

willing to work
abroad in cities like
London and New
York. In the
Success is doing the best you can meantime, Shaima

With every task and every plan can be seen zipping

along the highway
  (within the speed
Success is speaking words of praise limit!) from her
home in A’Seeb to
And cheering other peoples’ ways HCT, and back
again. It would be
It's silence when your speech would hurt hard not to spot her
as she drives a
Politeness when your neighbors curt brightly coloured
VW Beetle...her
It’s deafness when the scandal flows favourite car. Her
hobbies are poetry,
And sympathy with others’ woes swimming, drawing,
reading and writing
It’s loyalty when duty calls and, of course, as
with most
And courage when disaster falls females…
shopping!

It’s patience when the hours are long

It's found in laughter and in song
It’s in the silent time of prayer
And in happiness and despair
In all of life and nothing less
This is what we call ‘success’      
23
 Scribbles “Glances from My Life…”
Student
Portfolio “Special moments and events happen to everyone and might
change one’s life, making you more mature and experienced. I’m a
#7
Kuwaiti who had quite a normal life for any girl of my age. I grew
Zainab Emad up with my parents, two brothers and one sister, and graduated
Ahmed Abdul from Jabriya High School in 2006. later, I joined Kuwait University,
Rasool and studied engineering. Everything was going as expected until
one particular event happened, which really changed my whole life.
ID#11J09169
In 2006, my Mom got sick and had to get medical treatment
abroad. I had to take time off from my studies and take on the role
Scribbles is of my Mom as I was the eldest. In this time, I learnt a lot about life,
pleased to
and became more mature. The next year, my Mom came back and
introduce the
very first my life’s biggest event came along with her. My Father told me that
Kuwaiti student someone approached him and asked about me, as he wanted to
to the Post marry me. The marriage idea wasn’t too difficult to think about as
Foundation some of my friends were already married or engaged. The only issue
department of
which made the decision so difficult was that I would have to leave
HCT Muscat. A
warm welcome Kuwait and move to Oman, as he was an Omani. Moving to another
from all in country with a different lifestyle, environment, and being away
HCT, Zainab, from my family and friends made me think a lot before giving my
and we hope final decision. In October 2007, I got engaged, then after ten
you enjoy your months we married. During the engagement period, I came to know
studies. my husband more closely, and really loved his character,
personality and way of thinking. I also visited Oman with my
“My name is family in that period, and noticed the cultural similarities between
Zainab, I am a 21 the two countries. I knew I could adjust to life in Oman.
year old Kuwaiti,
and happy to be in In July 2008, we headed to Australia for 3 weeks honeymoon
Oman. I am which were the loveliest days of my life. Afterwards, I began my new
studying Technical life as a wife in my new house in Oman. My marriage and
Writing 1 in Post relocation to Oman has changed me, as I started to see life from
Foundation level. different perspectives. I had new rights and responsibilities as a
My favorite hobbies
wife, and at the same time, had to think about my education. I
are cooking,
traveling and applied to HCT, and after a long process joined the college as the
shopping. I hope in first ever Kuwaiti student in HCT Muscat.
the future to Life in Oman and Kuwait is similar, as both have Islamic and
graduate from HCT
with high grades. Arabic traditions. The changes which I noticed can be categorized
My ambition is to into two main areas. The first is lifestyle; Omanis are bound to their
be a happy and tribal rituals and consistent in the way they dress, wearing
successful traditional clothes for almost all occasions. Kuwaitis wear different
businesswoman.” styles due to the influence of western culture. The second is social
relations. In Oman, especially Muscat, I noticed that people come
from African, Indian, Arabic and other origins. These differences
are noticeable in social relations, where neighbors might not know
each other very well. In addition, life here stops after 10 or 11 pm,
and you don’t see many people out late. In Kuwait, people know
each other very well because the population isn’t as big, and
cultural backgrounds are not too different. Furthermore, life in
Kuwait continues late into the night.
In conclusion, seeing many personal life changes in only three
years, made me think about the risks that I agreed to take, so I
evaluated my judgment, which turned out to be a good one. I’ve
learnt a lot in recent years, and noticed that you can’t enjoy real
24
life, if you don’t experience new things in it.”
 Gallery Thuraya Scribbles
Student
Welcome to Thuraya’s Art Gallery. In her free time, Post Foundation student Portfolio
Thuraya loves to sit down and let her imagination take over as she sketches and paints
#8
images from her mind. From the beautiful colour abstract painting below to the scary
sketch of the ancient Greek Greek Goddess, Medusa, Thuraya does not specialize in
any one style, she just lets her creativity loose on anything she can capture on paper,
as typified by the selection shown below. Thuraya uses artistic license whenever it suits
her subject, and this is evident in her imaginative illustration of ‘Physics Planet.’
 
 
 
  Thuraya Saif
Rashid
Al Kalbani

ID#12J09375

19 year old
Thuraya is presently
studying Technical
Writing 2 in Post
Foundation. As you
can see, her
hobbies are
drawing and
painting. In addition
to the subjects
featured on this
page, Thuraya loves
to design and draw
dresses. She hopes
to use her creative
talents to get a job
as an architectural
engineer.

25
 Scribbles What I think of HCT
Student
Portfolio
#9 “Why I love my College”
“As everyone knows, the Higher College of Technology,
Muscat, is one of the best colleges. We can find many colleges
in Oman, but not one of them is like my college. I feel it’s like
a part of me, and I wouldn’t reach my goals without it.
Teachers, courses and specializations make my college
unique. Here you can see your future with your own eyes and
Ahmed feel like you are at home. If you are a student, believe me, you
Mohammed are a lucky student. If you have graduated from somewhere
Badar Al Kindi
else already, you have missed the chance to study in HCT.
However, I invite you to visit us to see what I am talking about
ID#12S08475
for yourselves. If you think HCT is just a college…think again!
Ahmed is studying Teachers in HCT treat students like their own sons and
Technical Writing 2 daughters. Teachers here don’t care about anything except
in Post Foundation.
His ambition is to making students ready for the future. They are showing us the
become a civil path we should take, and lighting our way. If any student has
engineer in OXY. a problem with anything, teachers will try to help in any way
Ahmed is also
studying mechanical, they can. Every teacher has their own way of teaching, but the
electrical and amazing thing is that they all have the same aim – to make
telecommunication their students the best at everything. Words fail me when we
engineering.
just call a teacher a teacher in HCT. In general, we are all
His interests include
reading, writing and one hand in HCT, and we are the future of Oman.
watching all the
engineering In my college, we have strong courses which have been
programmes, videos chosen carefully to give students a good grounding so they
and DVD’s he can can stand proud in this world. It’s fun and educational at
get his hands on.
Ahmed strongly the same time. You will hardly find a college that gives so
believes that each many training courses as my college gives. In HCT, students
student should work with modern instruments even before they choose their
choose their own
major. They know how to handle and deal with many devices
future, and not just
accept what the and are trained well in different types of workshops.
future offers them.
In conclusion, we can say that HCT is taking us to the top,
“Work hard to helping us to be successful. It’s the best college I know of, and
earn your dream, I’m proud to be a part of it as a student. I hope all students
and it will come
true” says Ahmed.
feel this way. Speaking on behalf of HCT students, I want to
deliver a message to the world. We are proud to be educated
in HCT, and we are going to show the world what HCT
students can do. HCT is training us to be leaders, and our
voices will be heard everywhere. We are being trained to
create a new history and nothing will stop us from achieving
our goals. Thank you to HCT and our teachers for all the
words you have ever taught us, everything you gave us, and
for showing us the path to success. We are going to make the
world sit up and take notice of us, because we are not just
26
anyone, we are Higher College of Technology students.”
 Two of my most embarrassing moments... Scribbles
In life, everyone is exposed to embarrassing situations. There are more than a
Student
million reasons that can cause unforgettable memories for everyone, and I'd like Portfolio
to share two embarrassing situations that I have personally experienced. #10
My most embarrassing moment, which I'll never forget, happened
when I was about 14. I went shopping with my mum and two sisters.
I collected a lot of things and went to the cashier to pay, but I had a
silly habit of pretending that I had forgotten my money! "Oh no!
Where’s my money?!" I’d say, adding some silly facial expressions for
emphasis. After enjoying the cashier's reaction I laughed and said:
"It was just a joke!" But this time it was true!! I really had forgotten
my money! I looked all through my handbag, but no money.
Tasneem
Luckily, one of my sisters was standing beside me, so I whispered: Mohammed
"Pay for me please, because I really have forgotten my money!" She Al Ghassani
gave me a smile which said she had also forgotten her purse! I tried
to think of how to get out of that embarrassing situation, but at ID#16S09140
moments like these, your brain stops working! I asked my sister to go
and find my other sister to come and rescue me. Tasneem says,
In the meantime, I spoke to the cashier, to distract her for few
“I’m a Technical
minutes. Finally, my sisters showed up and I felt so relieved. Writing 1 student.
Unfortunately, they told me that they hadn’t enough money to pay Since I was in
for my shopping! My last hope was my Mother, who should have been secondary school,
my first hope! I called her, and was talking in such a way she writing has been my
thing. Whenever we
couldn’t understand what I was saying. After repeating it calmly,
had writing for
she understood my situation, and ended up laughing. I said: "OK, homework, I was
laugh as much as you want Mum, but please tell me where you are!" delighted. I enjoyed
I went to her and came running back quickly to pay the cashier, but writing English
noticed that everyone was looking at me and essays and still do.
laughing. I didn’t ask why - I just smiled, Due to my interest
in writing, I wanted
paid, and left the store immediately. After to contribute
meeting my mum and sisters outside in the something to
car, I asked them why everyone was Scribbles
laughing at me? They said that the cashier Newsletter. It’s a
had told everyone in the shop about me!! I really exciting
opportunity for
was so embarrassed! When I returned home,
students to have
I found my money in the bedroom. I kept their writing
away from that store for a long, long time! published. Thank
you Post Foundation
Another embarrassing thing happened to me when I was around and Scribbles.”
12 years old. My cousins - girls - and I were playing football . I was
wearing a long tight skirt. Imagine a girl playing football wearing
a long and tight skirt!! It was about 5.00pm. We were out with our
families for a barbeque. I kicked the ball with all my might until my
skirt tore!! I tried to hide it but it was impossible. I didn’t know what
to do; we were far from home and it was really embarrassing for me,
but funny to others!! The main thing I was thinking of was how to
spend the rest of the night wearing a torn skirt! I managed, but
Thank God that nightmare has passed. I spent the rest of that night
sitting on a chair, and the only time I moved was to the car, to
head for "home sweet home".

Embarrassing and funny situations can happen to anyone, and when they do,
we wish that they hadn’t! But later on we always see the funny side, and the
memories stay with us forever as funny moments we can share with others. 27
 Scribbles It’s all about Confidence!
Student
Portfolio
#11
How confident are you?
“I don’t think I’ll get good marks” or “I don’t think I can
complete my work” or “I don’t think I can speak well.”
These are some common sentences that keep haunting the
minds of most students. This is because they lack a very
Zamzam important quality- CONFIDENCE.
Hamdan What is confidence? It means that a person is very sure that
Abdullah Al Farsi he/she can do something...anything, and there’s no doubt
about it! The amount of confidence varies from one person to
ID# 16S08579
another. In some students, confidence is inborn, whereas some
other students develop confidence during the duration of
“Slow and steady
wins the race” is a their education. It’s very easy to find out if a person is
great proverb. I confident or not. To develop confidence, one has to be really
probably am close hard working and he/she should know everything.
to this category, but
I’d like to slightly For example, if we, as students, have to speak on a specific
alter this proverb by topic, or take part in a competition on a certain day, the
chopping off the confidence to succeed will improve if we do the following. First
first word, “slow”,
because I know for
of all, we should prepare in advance what we have to speak
sure that I’m not about. We should seriously prepare by researching and taking
slow. I’d rather say information from different sources. Next, we should prepare
“Steady wins the
well by reading our speech several times. Before we actually
race.” I’m calm,
composed and deliver the speech, we should also rehearse it many times. This
confident. I love to process involves lots of hard work and positive thinking.
take challenges in As we practice, we should think that we are the best and
life and strongly
believe that there is absolutely no question of doubt should cross our mind. Once
no substitute for we do this, we will feel very confident to deliver our speech
hard work. In every successfully. We will never doubt anything at any time because
class, I make sure I
get my seat in the we will be well prepared.
front row and There are many, many students who lack confidence, but
rarely miss any confidence is not a difficult thing to achieve. Serious
detail that is
discussed by the
commitment and hard work is the main requirement. To start
teacher. working hard, one has to get rid of laziness and stop making
Being the youngest silly excuses. Once students start getting rid of these, they will
in my family, I’m
surely start working harder which will definitely result in
loved by all and I
enjoy home more improving their confidence.
than any other Every student should ask themselves these questions. Am I a
place. During my confident person? Do I have at least a bit of confidence? What
free time I enjoy
reading English should I do to become a confident person? If he or she starts
books and watching seriously working for the answers to these questions, I’m sure
movies. Being a each individual will develop confidence.
patient listener has
helped me a lot in As each one of us develops confidence, we will become a
life. I dislike more useful person to our family and to society, and above
cooking, but love to all, a useful citizen to our country.
eat what’s cooked.
28
 My College, My Future... Scribbles
Student
Portfolio
The joy of studying in the #12

Higher College of
Technology, Muscat Sharifa Said
Khalfan Al
Masroori
Who doesn’t want to study in HCT, one of the largest
ID# 16S08549
educational institutions in Oman? Who doesn’t hope to have
the honor of being a student in the only public college owned
“I’m basically a
by The Ministry of Manpower that provides higher diplomas workaholic. It takes
and bachelor degrees in different fields of technology? time for me to
As a student in the Higher College of Technology, I feel so understand people,
but once I get to
proud to be a member of the HCT family. know them well, I
Many people think that students who study in HCT are without cling on to them as
a future. They think we won’t find a job easily, or find a job a very sincere
friend. I hate lies
with a good salary. This is definitely not true. Every day we and liars.
hear many stories about excellent graduates who find jobs My dad is my
and training courses in large and reputable companies. These motivating force
and I adore him. To
facts are proof of the quality of education
go abroad and
and of our teachers in HCT. pursue my career is
Teachers at the Higher College of Technology are from a dream to be
fulfilled. The college
different parts of the globe. They try very hard to teach and
campus is the place
encourage the students to do the best for their future. They where I love to
also introduce many activities in writing, reading and spend most of my
speaking to improve the English language skills of the time. In fact, it’s my
second home.
students. Teachers at HCT are unique, and it is difficult to A note to those who
find teachers like them nowadays. meet me for the
Five important specializations provided at the Higher College first time: please do
not mistake me to
of Technology are Engineering, Science, Information be a silent person; I
Technology, Business and Pharmacy. In addition, the college love humour and
provides extra certificate courses like CCNA, TOEFL and Linux. explode in the
presence of my
These certificates help students to get international
close friends and
certificates in different areas of study. family.”
Furthermore, resources like the SAC, Labs and the library in
the original HCT building support students in their
educational programs. Students can find books, dictionaries
and electronic resources like the E-library and E-books in the
new main library, and students can even borrow a laptop
from the library for educational purposes.
The Higher College of Technology is an established college,
and is a helping hand for students who really want to achieve
and do something special in their lives.

I’m very proud to be one of those students.

29
 Scribbles The Light of Life
Student
Portfolio “During times of pain and suffering, there is always something that keeps us
#13 rising back up again, and keeps us going.
As I understood the importance of the things that kept me going, I realized
how little things, which are not given any importance, can make such a huge
difference.”

The tiny light

Al Batool
Abdullah Al Out of my senses, I stood my ground
Ismaili Hollow lost in emptiness, with no place to go
ID# 11S08102 Covered in the scars of life with eyes bleeding sorrow
“Fate is something I The past is gone, leaving a wish for a fading tomorrow
hate, and in hard
work, I trust. I enjoy
I lost my will and all my strength,
being on my own, yet my faith in a smile did grow
although at times I
relish sensible Through all these years of hurt and pain,
company. Liars and a tiny light did glow
flatterers I keep at
bay as with me Who would have thought that life could go so low?
they don’t have a All the good in me had gone
say. Rules, limits
and judgments I only the dark in me the world did see
like not. Singing is
Yet the tiny light which my life laid on
far beyond my
limits, but I limit my kept me alive and helped me grow
taste of music to
Who would have thought that life could go so low?
‘black’ and ‘death
metal’. Time goes The tiny light has saved the life of a human soul
on as I read, write,
photograph and get from stressful flow
lost in nature’s Imperfections of life and from within myself
brilliance. I take a
break to daydream made me shine and glow
a bit, but mind you, Wish me good or wish me Hell, it doesn’t really matter
while I enjoy my
daydreams at the I won’t go slow
time, I’m never lost
What I am and what I want
in them.
is starting to be clear and show
The joy and pain, laughter and tears
Are what made my life so full of fears
I took life for granted but now I know
The tiny light inside me will now forever show.

30
 What are friends for? Scribbles
Student
Portfolio

My Best Friend
#14

Maythaa
Khalfan Saif Al
Every person needs someone to share their life with. This Mahrizi
someone could be your wife, husband, sister, brother or cousin. ID# 11J091
However, sometimes you feel that it is not enough to have only
your family beside you, or you feel that they might not
Maythaa is a
understand you well enough, so you search for someone that Technical Writing 1
you can trust, someone who will listen to you and you can student who loves
share your thoughts with. This person becomes your “best to learn and
friend”. A best friend is someone who is always beside you, in discover new things.
every difficult situation and every happy moment. She is the She loves listening
one who knows that there’s something wrong even when you to music and
reading. She has a
have the biggest smile on your face. She is the one who wipes
keen interest in
away your tears when you cry. Having a true friend is the historical books,
greatest thing that you could have in your life. from which she has
learned many
My best friend has a special place in my small heart, interesting facts
because she is the only one who accepts me for who I am, and about other
what I am. She understands me even when I don’t talk, countries. She also
because she sees inside my eyes, and knows what’s going inside loves to travel and
my mind. She knows exactly what I am thinking about...that’s to surf the internet.
why there’s nowhere to hide from my best friend. What’s more, Maythaa is
interested in art,
my best friend always forgives quickly all my weaknesses and
and designs
my mistakes. She knows the exact moment when I am weak, greetings cards for
depressed or angry. various occasions
and celebrations.
Sometimes when I am sad, I just pick up the phone and call
my best friend, because I’m sure she‘ll always be there for me
anytime I need help, or whenever I need someone to talk to.
Moreover, I always feel that my best friend is my strength,
because we have been through many good and bad times
together. She makes me rise when I fall, and when I cry I feel
that there are small fingers wiping away my tears, and I know
for sure my best friend is with me. My best friend considers me
to be as precious as a sparkling diamond, and I thank God
for this comparison, and for my best friend.

Words are not enough to describe my best friend, or the

importance of my best friend in my life, or in anyone else’s life
who is lucky enough to know her.

Without a best friend, life is empty.

 Scribbles It’s the little words that mean a lot...in any language!
Student
Portfolio
#15 “Sorry”
“Sorry”...
...“Thank
“Thank You” and
“I love you”
Life is busy. Indeed it is. If you can forget what you have in your
mind for a moment, and start watching people all around you,
you will see that everyone is getting on with their busy lives. Being
Amira Aziz Al
busy has started to steal from us all the happy moments of our
Harthi
lives. In turn, we have started to forget how to live. We forget both
ID# 12S08440 trivial and important things about life. By the way, have you ever
thought about the impact of little words and phrases such as
Amira is an HCT “sorry”, “thank you” and “I love you”?
Computer
Engineering student "I would never apologize!" is the first verbal reaction which we
in Diploma level. commonly hear from people - especially from younger people even
A very well spoken when they are caught red-handed. We are all egotistical in one
student, Amira way or another. So, even as a result of misunderstandings on our
takes a keen
interest in learning part, we are not ready to say a mere “sorry” to the offenders. When
foreign languages, I meet people who would feel embarrassed to use a few polite
especially English. words, such as “sorry” or "thank you", I find myself speechless.
Other interests and
hobbies are But the truth of the matter is that by saying “sorry” you don’t
collecting stamps need to feel sorry, and by saying “thank you”, you needn’t be
and pictures, and grateful to the other person! But these are words/phrases which
writing. remove the rough edges found in our speech. Consequently, we
As you can see will become friendlier, and will be considered sociable.
from her article,
Amira’s English
studies and her Sometimes life teaches us so many good things from the mistakes
fondness of writing we commit due to ignorance. A friend who has been hanging out
combine well with you, and who knows you inside out, expects you to utter
together, and have apologies though you didn’t mean any harm to that person
enabled her to
provide Scribbles intentionally. You ignore your friend purely out of ignorance, but
with another eventually you will feel a chasm in your relationship.
welcome
contribution, in Our world is full of people who think that the other person should
addition to the one be the first to apologise or even to utter a trivial sentence, such as
she already had
published in our “I like you”. They are an inherent part of our society, but we can’t
first issue. just ignore them, and live without them. We need to have an open
mind to deal with these people. Let you be the first to speak to
these people, and the world will follow you.

Finally, a tongue is a double-edged sword. It is so sharp that it

can cut and hurt people, so sometimes we need to be very careful
before uttering a single word. But saying “sorry”, “thank you”
and “I love you”, will apply balm to your injured heart. Gestures
such as these will help you to be ‘liveable beings’ and after all,
this is what we need to prove to our fellow beings. Isn’t it?
32
 Let’s Get Serious! Scribbles
Student
Portfolio
How serious are we about #16
learning the English
Language?
English is an International language and great emphasis
is given to this language worldwide. Although it is not the
native language of many countries, it is widely spoken all
over the globe. The reasons are many. Even in our country of Nasra Said
Khalfan Al
Oman, a lot of importance is given to this language and Masroori
students all over this nation are being encouraged to master
English. But are we serious about this? ID# 16S08549

Today, in our sweet country of Oman a lot of emphasis is “Hi, I’m cool, casual
given to learning the English language and we have and take life as it
institutions spread all over the country. The English Language comes. The way you
see me is the way I
Center at the heart of this college is a good example, and it is
am. I have no
one of the best of its kind in the country. Other students all patience and there’s
over the world pay dearly to learn the language, but its no place in my life
for rude or impolite
totally free for us. In spite of all these facilities offered, how
people. I’m not
many of us are dedicated to learning the language? No much of a hard
doubt Arabic is an important language too; and above all, its worker, but I do rise
our native language. But, Learning English as an additional to the occasion
when needed.
language does not harm us in any way. In fact it only
benefits us, as it is the only way which we can keep on a par Taking up
with the world. Right now, English is the primary language challenges in life is
in my blood, and I
used worldwide in areas of education, business and so on. enjoy being an MC
at college functions.
It is high time that we open our eyes and realize the Back home, I’m the
importance of this language. youngest in my
family, so I’m
We have to start making use of this wonderful Center that treated like royalty.
we have, and the facilities it offers, rather than wasting our
My friends are
time. Many of us have a feeling that it is difficult and it is
many but I am close
impossible to master it. There are so many people from non- to only a chosen
native speaking countries who are so good at this language. few.”
They developed the language in their own countries. Was it
magic? No! Its nothing but hard work combined with the
willingness to learn. For those who think that learning
English is difficult and it should have been learnt long back,
let me tell you that it’s not too late. We are young and still
can learn.

So, from now on, let us all start feeling the importance of
learning the English language. Let us make sincere efforts to
master it and I’m sure one day, we will all feel proud of the
fact that “It was all for good”.
33
 Scribbles Oman IS a tourist attraction!
Student
Portfolio
#17
Tourist attractions
of Oman
Have you ever thought of visiting Oman? Many people think and
believe that Oman isn’t a good country for touring. That’s
because they don’t know much about Oman. Even if Oman is
considered as a desert, it has many interesting and beautiful
sights to see. In the following paragraphs you will read about
three main tourist attractions of Oman.
Fatima Habib
Abdallah Al
Jelani The first thing that attracts tourists to Oman is its people, culture
and traditions. Many people like to visit Oman because of Omani
ID# 12S08407 hospitality. Moreover, when tourists come to Oman they feel as
though it’s their home. Omanis are well known around the Gulf
“I enjoy my studies for good behavior with tourists. What’s more, our culture teaches
and I’m very us how to treat guests who visit Oman. In addition, Oman’s
ambitious. I strongly
traditions are different from other Gulf countries; for example,
believe that hard
work is the key to wearing a dishdasha and Omani cap (Kommah).
success. I have
many friends and I One thing that can make any country unique is its architecture.
hope they all enjoy Oman has various architectural structures; for instance mosques,
my company. My old buildings, old shops, forts and castles. All these architectural
spare time is spent
writing, reading and structures are spread throughout every region of Oman. Tourists
swimming. Laziness can find mosques in almost every village and city. They can see
and being late for their doors and walls which are beautifully designed.
an appointment are Additionally, any tourist can find a lot of old buildings and
two things I do not
tolerate. Being kind shops in Mutrah Souq in Muscat. They can also buy gifts and
and loyal are souvenirs from these shops. Only the tourists who visit Oman will
qualities I adore. know the importance of these architectural structures.
Back home,
although a little bit Last but not the least is the natural beauty of Oman. Many people
naughty, I’m a
pleasant person to
might think that Oman doesn’t have any natural sights. To
all my family. I love illustrate, there are several natural sights in Oman such as
food - especially beaches, mountains and caves. Any tourist can go to Muscat or
Indian and any city on the coast and find beautiful beaches. You can have
Zanzibari.”
fun at the beach and play your favourite games. Furthermore,
there are many facilities available on the beach; for instance,
cafes, coffee shops and small shops. If tourists don’t like the beach,
they can take a trip to the beautiful mountains or caves of
Oman. All these natural sights receive hundreds of tourists every
year. No one can see the natural beauty of our country unless
they visit Oman!

In short, many tourists from all over the world have started
visiting Oman. People, culture and tradition, architecture
and the natural beauty of Oman attract an increasing
number of tourists to Oman. Year after year Oman is
developing and the tourism industry of Oman is dreaming to
34 become the best of its kind in the whole world.
 How to avoid twisting in the wind! Scribbles
Student
Technical Writing 2 student, Hanaa, suggests following these steps
if you’re thinking of decorating your home...
Portfolio
#18
Decorating your home
Make floor plans of the rooms

Make sure you have enough money
 Research and use decorating software
 Appoint a home designer to ensure a personal service
 Visit bookstores and study design books Hanaa Abdul
 Read decorating articles for ideas Majeed Al
Darmaki
You are decorating your home but have no idea how to do it,
ID# 12J09620
where to start, or which direction to go in. If you don’t have
the skills and knowledge in your back pocket, you will need
Hanaa is one of
some professional decorating help. There are many steps to Post Foundation’s
follow when decorating your home. “High Fliers”, and
shows us here just
how high she IS
First of all, you have to decide to commit time and money.
flying with her
Then, you have to collect ideas and draw a floor plan of your writing skills.
house. You can get ideas from home design books and Her specialization is
magazines, and some websites to get you started. You could Engineering, with a
also hire a designer to give you a professional and personal preference for the
design side of
service. But remember, without a plan for all the different
architecture.
rooms in your house, such as, lounge, master bedroom and
Hanaa would love
kitchen, you are twisting in the wind! At the planning stage, to design homes,
you must know in which direction you are heading, and what hotels, offices and
you are looking for, so a designer will be a great help. any other kind of
building she is given
the opportunity to
When your house is completed, you will need furniture and work on.
furnishings. To help with sizes and colours, you can use In the meantime,
decorating software to produce a floor plan to scale, which she will concentrate
will give you an accurate idea of the floor space you have, on her studies, to
ensure she
and what will fit into that space. This could save you a lot of completes her HCT
money, and help you to buy furniture that’s just right for you. education in style.
When it comes to colour, don’t be afraid to experiment in
small areas. Colours can be a bit more daring and fun in
kid’s rooms and maybe even in your home office.

In conclusion, decorating a house is an exhausting process.

Everyone has different likes and dislikes. According to your
own tastes, there will be many different steps to design your
new surroundings. In my opinion, designing your own living
space can be very challenging, but it’s a golden opportunity to
create something really special and personal. After all, our
dreams are to have beautiful homes, and to be happy and
comfortable living in them.

35
 Scribbles I love you Mom and Dad!
Student
Portfolio
#19 The importance of parents
Life without parents would be like a building without solid
foundations. A building without foundations can’t exist, and life
without parents is impossible to imagine. A beautiful quote states;
“Parents are the bones on which children sharpen their teeth.”*
Personally, I think this says it all. Love and care, advice and
guidance and financial support all come from our parents.
Muhja Ali
We receive true love and genuine care from our parents.
Al Lamki
Whether we are good or bad, pretty or ugly, rude or polite, they
ID# 70112107
still love us. Whenever we feel sick, they spend all their time with
Having successfully us. And if they are far away, they keep on thinking of us. If we
completed her Post have any problems, they try to understand and help us. They
Foundation courses,
might get upset if and when we make mistakes, but that is all
Mujha is now a
Higher Diploma part of their love for us.
student, studying We are always given advice and guidance from our parents,
Telecommunication when we need it, and when we don’t. Sometimes we feel annoyed
Engineering. because of this, but have we ever asked ourselves why? If we knew
the answer, we would never get annoyed. “Don't be discouraged
She is a girl who
if your children reject your advice. Years later they will offer it to
appreciates the
their own offspring”.
value of education,
and when not
studying, Muhja The financial support we benefit from is also from our parents.
spends her free We see them working hard and doing their best to provide us
time in a variety of with the best support they can give, with all the necessities of life,
hobbies. Her like food, house, clothes, education, entertainment and much
favourite pastimes more - asides from our pocket money! They don’t only provide
are sports, drawing, money, but also pay taxes to make us feel happy!! Taxes paid are
reading and their time, health and life. “No matter how much it costs, as long
travelling. as our children are healthy and happy” is what they keep saying.
Muhja also loves There are many questions we should ask ourselves:
watching news and
a selection of TV Are we doing our best to make them happy?
programmes. Do we spend our time with them when they feel sick?
Do we understand them?
Would we pay such taxes to make them feel happy?

If your answers are all yes, congratulations, you are blessed.

However, sometimes we don’t appreciate the importance of our
parents, compared to those poor sons and daughters who have
lost one or both of their parents. As we can see, the everlasting
happiness and wishes of our parents is to see us happy. Similarly,
we should feel happy when our parents are happy. It’s up to us to
make them happy…and proud.

I love you Mom and Dad.

36 * Peter Ustinov (1921-2004) British actor, writer and director.
 My thanks to H.M. Sultan Qaboos Scribbles
Student
Portfolio
#20

Education in Oman
Safa Khalid Al
Mukhaini

ID# 16S09137
Since H.M. Sultan Qaboos came to power in Oman, many
positive developments have happened. For instance, Safa’s favourite
women now have rights and are given equal respect. Health hobby is reading.
She has been
has become a priority and health centers and hospitals are reading since she
being built all over our country. The most important was six years old.
development that happened is in education. Education in One of her favuorite
novels is “Gone with
Oman has improved dramatically since 1970. the Wind” by
Margaret Michel.
Before 1970, the level of education in Oman was very low, and She also likes
discovering new
only males were given the chance to study. Male students used
things and visiting
to sit in circles under trees and were taught about religion, new places to
while the girls stayed in their homes to cook, clean the house, meet people and to
and take care of their families, and received no education learn new things
from them. As such,
at all. When the boys were older, they used to travel to faraway she is a student of
places to continue their education, and those who could life itself. She also
afford it even traveled to other countries. has a particular
interest in foreign
languages, with
When His Majesty became ruler of Oman, education became a English and Spanish
priority, and there have been many remarkable being two of her
most favorite
developments. Schools and colleges were built in every region, languages. At the
and boys and girls alike were given free access to moment, as a TW2
education. Many different fields and specializations were and an IT student
at HCT, Safa has
opened, catering to the various needs of society. Now, most
high hopes of
young people are able to continue their education in Oman, becoming a
instead of going abroad to study, having to be away from successful software
their family and friends. engineer after
graduation.

Education has become such an important part of Omani

society that schools, educational institutes and Colleges of
Technology are being built all around us. Today, educational
establishments even provide fully equipped laboratories and
educational materials to help students in their studies, and
offer the best learning environment for students in Oman.

In conclusion, H.M. Sultan Qaboos improved the availability

and the quality of education in Oman. Without him ruling
this country, God knows where we would be today.

I am very happy and proud to say that I belong to a country

ruled by such a great man.
37
 HCT Muscat
English Language Centre
Post Foundation Programme

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