Engineering is a complex field that requires both skill and collaboration. Partnerships across the globe can give engineers opportunities to adapt and grow.
The University of South Carolina’s Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing (MCEC) hosted 16 students from the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) in Oman this past summer from June 29 to July 26 to continue cultivating the relationship between the engineering schools.
USC and NUST’s partnership encourages an exchange of experience and talent between both schools. Officials arranged the visit to build the relationship between the universities and give students unique engineering opportunities.
“I think continuous collaboration between USC and NUST could provide students with international engineering competence, which would undoubtedly produce versatile and exceptional engineers,” says NUST visiting student Barakat Al Hinai.
The trip started with a USC campus tour and welcome lunch with MCEC Dean Hossein Haj-Hariri. The tour included biomedical, civil and aerospace engineering labs at the McNair Center.
Throughout their stay, students heard from guest speakers such as Jeff Barnhill from ExxonMobil, Karen Vilas from BakerRisk and USC professors involved in a variety of research areas.
“The guest speakers shared knowledge that would otherwise be impossible to attain and take a decade to build. From case studies to personal experience, each talk was filled with key lessons and insightful takeaways,” says Al Hinai.
Students applied skills and worked together in classes covering topics such as numerical methods and differential equations. There were also lab and training opportunities, including Scratch and Micro:bit programming, MATLAB and Simulink introductions, Arduino breadboarding and Microsoft Excel labs.
By all accounts, the students had a rewarding experience, both academically and culturally, and we are proud to support the continued excellence of NUST’s programs.
- Dean Hossein Haj-Hariri
Research was another focus of this visit. Some students worked with Mechanical Engineering Associate Professor Dongkyu Lee on advanced energy materials and devices. Another group used the COMSOL simulation tool to work on a project and presented its work to students. Others worked as lab assistants and taught students from the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics.
“The most beneficial part of my visit was working in the [college’s] unit operations lab. I learned something completely new and work hands-on with experiments I hadn’t seen before,” says NUST visiting student Aram Al Shezawi. “Then I explained those experiments to high school students, which helped me improve both academically and personally.”
Beyond campus, students also experienced local culture at the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, Congaree National Park and Soda City Market.
“My favorite part was the Fourth of July when we attended a Columbia Fireflies baseball game, and the team won, which made the atmosphere even more exciting. It was such a joyful and unforgettable experience, and a great way to celebrate the holiday while bonding with everyone,” says Al Shezawi.
The program ended with a closing luncheon with Haj-Hariri, USC President Michael Amiridis and alum and donor Alex Molinaroli.
“By all accounts, the students had a rewarding experience, both academically and culturally, and we are proud to support the continued excellence of NUST’s programs, which graduate hundreds of talented students each year,” says Haj-Hariri. “Now that key details have been worked out, we look forward to expanding next year’s cohort and initiating faculty exchange opportunities that further strengthen this partnership.”
This visit has prompted many students to consider postgraduate programs at USC and in the U.S.
“This program helped me grow academically and personally. Being in a diverse and collaborative environment boosted my confidence, adaptability and independence,” says NUST visiting student Dima Dababseh, “USC is now one of my top choices for pursuing a postgraduate degree.”