Professional Learning & Leadership

International Activities

Oman, April 2010

Dr Margery McMahon and Professor Tony Townsend recently returned from a visit to Muscat Oman. The purpose of the visit was to continue collaboration relating to two PG programmes that are to be offered at Majan University College. Highlights of the visit included a meeting with the Minister of Higher Education and the Under Secretary of Higher Education and the signing of Memorandum of Understanding with Majan University College.  The visit began with a reception for alumni and friends of University of Glasgow at the residence of the British Ambassador, Dr Noel Guckian OBE, hosted by the Principal of University of Glasgow, Professor Anton Muscatelli. During the visit staff from the Faculty met with with the Minister of Higher Education, Her Excellency Dr Rawya Saud Al Busaidi and Ministry officials. A separate meeting was held with the Under Secretary for Higher Education, His Excellency Dr Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Sarmi. During the visit a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the Principal, Professor Anton Muscatelli and the Dean of Majan College, Dr Shoba Zachariah, a former graduate of University  of Glasgow.  An invited Lecture by Professor Townsend on 'Organisational Leadership in the 21st century' was attended by over 50 participants and attracted  local press coverage.  The Dean of Majan University College and a small team of staff will visit University of Glasgow in June 2010. Dr Zachariah will lead a seminar entitled "Higher Education in Oman: Challenge and Opportunities".

Collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Oman

Dr Margery McMahon and Professor Tony Townsend have submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Education, Oman to be involved in consultancy and training of their staff, specifically in the area of performance management. The proposal may lead to a group of Omani educators coming to Glasgow later in 2010, either for a short term study tour, or to undertake one of two programmes offered by the Professional Learning and Leadership RKT, the PGC in Strategic Leadership, or the MSc in Organisational Leadership.

Collaboration with Majan University College, Oman

The recent visit referred to above may lead to two Masters programmes being offered in Oman this coming academic year. It is likely that both the MSC in English Language and the MSc in Organisational Leadership will be advertised in the near future with the hope of having a cohort commence in October 2010.

Collaboration with University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Professor Tony Townsend has been granted £5000 from the International Development Fund to support the development of closer relations with both the Institute of Principalship Studies and the Faculty of Education at the University of Malaya. The money will support the visit of two academic staff of the Institute to Glasgow in September 2010. Professor Townsend has been visiting professor at the Institute for the past four years and will go to Malaysia in July of this year to investigate the possibility of running the MSc (Organisational Leadership) as a joint programme, taught by both Glasgow and Malaysian staff.