Majan University College (MUC) has worked closely in partnership with HEA, the UK Higher Education Academy (part of Advance HE) since September 2017. Under the partnership agreement, MUC enters groups of its staff as applicants for the various categories of Fellowship offered by HEA. So far, fifteen lecturers have been successful, with twelve more results expected in September. The 2020-2021 group of applicants includes five Omani staff, bringing the total of Omanis who have entered to twelve. Application is supported by webinars led by HEA staff and offers an opportunity for applicants to reflect on their professional practices and submit an account of them that is considered by UK-based assessors. HEA Fellowships act as a badge of professional excellence that is keenly sought after in the UK, Australia and the wider world.

"We see our partnership with HEA as an important part of our strategy to develop our academic staff and promote teaching excellence," says Majan's Dean, Dr Maha Kobeil. "We particularly see it as a way to build up a group of Omani academics in the College who are reflective practitioners and have a deep understanding of teaching, learning and assessment issues in higher education."