Pdp Plan Sample

Learning and Teaching in Higher Education: Gulf Perspectives

Volume 2

Personal Development Planning: Addressing the skills gap for engineers in Oman

Tess Goodliffe

Caledonian College of Engineering, Muscat

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to discuss the decision made last year, by the Caledonian College of Engineering in Oman, to introduce compulsory modules in Personal Development Planning (PDP) at each level of study in the UK-awarded diploma and degree programmes. The primary objective of PDP is to improve the capacity of individuals to understand what and how they are learning, and to review, plan and take responsibility for their own learning. This paper describes how the main topic areas covered in PDP have been introduced to Omani engineering students; the learning/teaching methodology; how these modules are assessed and evaluated and how these areas relate to the needs of current and future employers. The challenges that have been faced during the implementation of these modules in terms of contextualisation (UK modules imported into an Omani environment) and external assessment are also discussed.

Introduction

The importance of preparing students for their future working environment has been a key issue in both higher and vocational education throughout the Gulf States. This paper will briefly provide a historical context of educational development in Oman before discussing the implementation of Personal Development Planning (PDP) modules at the Caledonian College of Engineering, a private university college in Oman. There follows an outline of the module contents, the learning and teaching methodology and assessment, and an analysis of the challenges faced when importing ‘soft skill’ modules designed for a UK-teaching context.

Background

Oman is the oldest independent state in the Gulf region, founded in 1650. The current head of state, H.M. Sultan Qaboos bin Said, came to power in 1970, in a country which up until his rule had been...