The 1st OMAN Hydrogen Symposium will be held at GUtech on 9 October

A Symposium, focusing on the opportunities of the global energy transition

Green Hydrogen – produced from renewable energies – a fundamental option for diversifying the economy in Oman

HALBAN The ‘First OMAN Hydrogen Symposium’, under the patronage of His Excellency Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Futaisi, Minister of Transport & Communications, will be held at the German University of Technology in Oman (GUtech) on Wednesday, 9 October. During the Symposium experts will discuss and explore the potential of green hydrogen as a new energy carrier for the Sultanate. The Symposium is organised by the OMAN Hydrogen Initiative, founded by GUtech and the German company Hydrogen Rise AG. The OMAN Hydrogen Symposium is supported by the Ministry of Oil and Gas in Oman and in particular by His Excellency Salim bin Nasser bin Said Al-Aufi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Oil and Gas who will speak at the event. The OMAN Hydrogen Initiative focuses on the development of hydrogen industries in Oman along with developing and facilitating technological and academic competencies including research in all fields of the hydrogen economy. The Symposium will focus on the potential of green hydrogen for the economic future of Oman and its production, storage, distribution and applications. As the global demand for hydrogen is expected to increase in future, it represents significant export opportunities. “This is a joint Renewable Energy Initiative to explore and discuss the potential to produce, develop, operate and export hydrogen and related technologies here in Oman. Our main goal is to start and foster a discussion on hydrogen, to be further explored in future workshops. We have invited a number of high-ranking officials and experts in the field of renewable energies, hydrogen and oil and gas in Oman and from abroad,” said Professor Dr.-Ing. Michael Modigell, Rector of GUtech. Green hydrogen, produced by renewable energies, like sun and wind, is one of the most promising alternative carriers of renewable energies for future CO2-free energy economies. Without green hydrogen, the global task of realizing an energy transition towards renewable energies is very challenging or even impossible. To discuss the potential of this ‘game changing technology’ for Oman, local and international government representatives, industry experts and scientists have been invited to speak at the Symposium presenting recent international hydrogen trends, developments and strategies.

Among others, representatives from the Ministries of Economy in Japan and in Germany, two of the leading hydrogen technology nations will share their insight. These trends and the growing demand for hydrogen around the world offer significant export opportunities for Oman as an important energy carrier. The Sultanate of Oman, like other countries around the globe, with its expertise in energy and outstanding cost advantages in the production of renewable energies and hydrogen can emerge as a major player within the upcoming hydrogen industry. For this, the Oman Hydrogen Initiative will present initial research results and proposals for action. As part of the Hydrogen Initiative actions, GUtech is planning to establish a Hydrogen ‘Competence Center’ and further on to build and operate the first green hydrogen pilot plant on campus while at the same time raising public awareness about the potential of hydrogen as a green energy carrier and industrial feedstock for many new industrial business opportunities in Oman.

For registration please check out the following website: https://www.gutech.edu.om/oman-hydrogen-symposium/

UN World Tourism Day – The Minister of Tourism visited GUtech

HALBAN On the occasion of the UN World Tourism Day entitled ‘Tourism and Jobs: A better Future for All’, the Faculty of Business and Economics at the German University of Technology in Oman (GUtech) has received H.E. Ahmed al Mehrazi, Minister of Tourism in Oman on its campus last Thursday. During the event that was held at the History of Science Centre, the Minister discussed various topics on tourism in Oman with GUtech students. The Minister spoke about the National Tourism Strategy 2040, the role of tourism festivals in marketing the Sultanate as well as cruise tourism and its potential for the Sultanate. Prof. Dr. Osman Barghouth, Head of the Department of Logistics, Tourism and Service Management presented the contribution of the tourism sector in creating employment opportunities especially for Omanis while contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This special event was open for GUtech students, staff and invitees from the academia and tourism destination management companies.

Each year, the World Tourism Day comes at the end of the high season in the northern hemisphere and the beginning of the season in the southern hemisphere, when tourism is on the minds of millions of people worldwide. According to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the World Tourism Day is celebrated to foster awareness on tourism’s social, cultural, political and economic value and the contribution the tourism sector can make in reaching the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

(c) GUtech/Text & Photo: Dr. Manuela Gutberlet and Fatma Al Balushi

 

The first Summer School on ‘Climate Change Response Strategies for Sustainable Land Use and Water Management’ held at GUtech

HALBAN The First Summer School on “Climate Change Response Strategies for Sustainable Land Use and Water Management” is currently held at the German University of Technology in Oman (GUtech). The two-week interdisciplinary course is conducted in cooperation with professors from Brandenburg Technical University, Cottbus/ Senftenberg in Germany. The Summer School focuses on Sustainable Development and Climate Change, Climate Change Response Strategies, Emerging Issues on Environmental Law and Environmental Assessment with a special focus on sustainable land use and water management while combining different teaching techniques such as lectures, case-studies and group work. The summer school courses are directly related to all Bachelor of Engineering and Bachelor of Science programmes offered at GUtech. “Since pre-industrial times and due to human activities, urbanisation and industrialization, global greenhouse gas emissions have been rising to more than 70%. As a consequence the frequency of cyclones, heat waves and rain season has been increasing in the past years,” said Prof. Dr. Eike Albrecht during his introduction to Sustainable Development. Today due to climate change especially low-lying areas such as islands are vulnerable to increased sea level rise. At the same time a massive extinction of species has been witnessed worldwide including a drastic decline of insects, for example in Germany, said Prof. Dr. Albrecht, while mentioning that the extinction of plants and species has an impact on the entire ecosystem of our planet and many other species and we human beings will be effected. Over-exploitation of our planet’s resources for food, clothing or other products has accelerated climate change. On the other hand, Prof. Albrecht stressed on the fact that forests are the main producers of oxygen, storing CO2 emissions. These need to be protected on a large scale. According to Prof. Albrecht, currently there are more than 200 international environmental agreements and many bilateral agreements in place.

“The Summer School provides students with in-depth knowledge on highly relevant topics in the field of environmental planning, law, hydrogeology, ecology in the context of sustainable development and coping with the effects of climate change through adaptation and mitigation, such as coping measures to be discussed on a local, regional and global scale. The Summer School provides the students with a new vision of the world they live in, addressing the complexity and interrelation of problems such as environmental degradation, population growth and the scarcity of resources. Climate change in the context of land use and water resource management is gaining importance particularly in Asia and in the Middle East where an increased risk of droughts and mismanagement is projected,” said Prof. Dr. Najah Al Mhanna, Head of the Department of Engineering at GUtech.

© GUtech/ Dr. Manuela Gutberlet and Prof. Dr. Najah Al Mhanna

International Summer School at GUtech

Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg and German University of Technology in Oman with Support of DAAD organise the International Summer School

“Climate Change Response Strategies for Sustainable Land Use and Water Management”

Date: 23rd September–5th October 2019

Venue: German University of Technology in Oman

 

The Orientation Days start at GUtech

HALBAN The Orientation Days for new GUtech students have started on campus today morning. For more than 500 students a new stage in their lives begins. GUtech’s Deputy-Rector for Administration and Finances, Dr. Hussain Al Salmi, welcomed the large number of Foundation Year students in the unversity’s Research Hall. The students will study Academic English, Mathematics and IT throughout one year before they will move on to one of the Bachelor programmes. In his speech, Dr Hussain spoke about the development of GUtech, with the beginning in the Beach Campus and the Airport campus in Muscat and the construction of the final campus in Halban in 2012. In that year, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said visited GUtech. Dr. Hussain also stressed on the importance of the English language while German is taught as an additional language for three semesters at GUtech. He also mentioned that the studies can be difficult in the beginning but the students will be rewarded in future. All BSc and BEng programmes are internationally accredited by ACQUIN. One of the female Foundation year students who is planning to study BEng Process Engineering, said that she is looking forward to the studies and that her family advised her to study Engineering at GUtech.

The Orientation Days continued with various presentations held by administrative departments including the Department of Student Affairs who highlighted their services such as non-academic counseling, clubs and associations such as the Logistics Club, the Theater Club, the Media Club as well as social events. The Library explained their services and facilities. Towards the end of the first day senior Bachelor students guided new students around the campus to familiarize them with the facilities. International students and Omani students with direct entry into the Bachelor programmes will start their studies from tomorrow onwards.

 

 

 

Orientation Days to be held end of the week

HALBAN More than 500 new Omani and international students are expected to start their studies at GUtech end of this week. The university will conduct its Orientation Days for Foundation Year students on the 18th of September and for Bachelor of Science students on the 19th of September. The Orientation Days will give new students insights into studying and life on campus. “The Foundation year will give the students a unique experience and a skill-set needed to succeed in GUtech’s Bachelor programmes,” said Prof. Dr. Armin Eberlein, Deputy-Rector for Academic Affairs at GUtech. The university offers undergraduate and post-graduate studies in Engineering, Computer Sciences, Applied Geosciences, Urban Planning and Architectural Design, International Business and Service Management and in Logistics.

More than 60 new students will start in the Bachelor of Applied Geosciences programme. “We are glad to welcome new academics in our department. Prof. Dr. Rajat Mazumder, an expert in the field of sedimentology, joined our department recently and we have employed an Omani lab technician, Ms Hanan Maawali, a GUtech Applied Geosciences alumni. Dr. Mazumder received a research grant by The Research Council, entitled: Sedimentology and volcanic stratigraphy of the Paleoarchean Iron Ore Group, Singhbhum Craton, India and implications for early earth processes,” said Prof Dr. Wilfried Bauer, Head of the Department of Applied Geosciences. The department has been conducting several scientific research projects in and outside of Oman in the past years.

“We are expecting a wonderful semester full of experiential learning experiences and industrial collaborations,” said Prof. Dr. Osman Barghouth, Head of the Department of Logistics, Tourism, & Service Management, Faculty of Business and Economics. The department is expecting 86 new students for the Bachelor programmes in Logistics and International Business and Service Management. “Our faculty of Business and Economics is growing as we are having one new assistant professor Dr. Mehdi Kamran who is specialized in Industrial Management including Operations Research, Health Care Operations Research, Simulation-based Optimization, Soft-Computing, Supply Chain Management and Logistics. The faculty also received the approval for funding of a research project entitled “Mapping CSR Regulations and Practices in the Sultanate of Oman: an international benchmarking approach,” said Prof. Osman.

GUtech is affiliated with RWTH Aachen University, one of the leading higher education institutions in Germany and in Europe. All BSc and BEng programmes are internationally accredited by the Accreditation Certification and Quality Assurance Institute (ACQUIN) in Germany and the Oman Accreditation Agency (OAAA). GUtech is a private university that was founded in Muscat in December 2006. In summer 2019 around 2.200 students were studying at the university.

© GUtech/Dr Manuela Gutberlet

 

GUtech and the Oman Oil and Orpic Group have signed a MoU

HALBAN The German University of Technology in Oman (GUtech), represented by the Rector, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Michael Modigell and the Oman Oil and Orpic Group, represented by Gilles Rochas, the GM Polymer Marketing, Orpic, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding last Thursday to collaborate on research projects, internship opportunities for Engineering students as well as excursions, professional seminars for GUtech students and any other activities that may support enriching the knowledge of the students. “Orpic’s production of Polyethylene (PE) and Polypropylene (PP) is about to increase to 1.4 million tons by next year; this collaboration with GUtech is so timely and instrumental in accelerating the execution of the circular economy agenda in the country,” said Gilles Rochas, General Manager Polymer Marketing, the Oman Oil and Orpic Group. One of the first joint projects will be on the setting up of a research project on “conversion of plastic waste to fuel” conducted by Prof. Dr. Najah Al Mhanna, Head of the Engineering Department at GUtech. “Our aim is to develop a novel and innovative process that provides a technical solution to one of the most persisting environmental problem in Oman and in the world. The new process will offer a sustainable solution for recycling million tons of plastic waste in Oman,” said Prof. Najah Al Mhanna.

(c) GUtech

Technical Workshop on the Underground Storage for Hydrogen in Oman held at RWTH Aachen

HALBAN A technical workshop on the underground storage for hydrogen gas in Oman was held in July at GUtech’s German partner-university, RWTH Aachen University. The workshop was held in preparation for the Oman Hydrogen Initiative. „An efficient storage and buffer systems for hydrogen are essential for a large scale production and application of green hydrogen,” said the Rector of GUtech, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Michael Modigell. In addition Prof Dr. Wilfried Bauer, Head of the Department of Applied Geosciences participated in the workshop. Prof. Peter Kukla, Dean of the Faculty of Georesources and Materials Engineering at RWTH Aachen University, Prof. Dr. Janos Urai, Professor of Structural Geology and Tectonics at RWTH Aachen University and fly-in professor at GUtech, and Prof. Dr. Hartmut Krause from TU Freiburg (Germany) as well as Dr. Bernd Wiemann and Gunther Weber from Hydrogen Rise participated in the one day workshop.

During the workshop, Prof. Bauer gave an overview of the Geology of Oman and research that is currently conducted at GUtech. Prof. Krause from TU Freiburg explained the HYPOS project on hydrogen storage in caverns, its framework conditions and the planned project work. According to Prof. Wilfried Bauer there are six exposed salt domes of Ediacaran/Cambrian Ara salt in the central Ghaba Salt basin in the South of Oman. Main source rocks, so called Cryogenian-Cambrian Huqf Supergroup are the oldest source rock for oil and gas. Further research is required to identify the best reservoirs for the storage of hydrogen which could be either an empty old gas reservoir or a cavern within one of the salt domes of Oman.

© GUtech/ Dr. Manuela Gutberlet and Prof. Dr. Wilfried Bauer

 

Orientation Days

Foundation and Bachelor Students Orientation Programmes

At the start of each academic year, GUtech organises orientation days for new students and those progressing from Foundation to Bachelor Programmes.

Orientation days are organised to give new students insights into student life on campus, from facilities to services. Furthermore, orientation days are an ideal opportunity to meet GUtech faculties, staff, as well as to get to know other students.

Your presence at these orientation days is essential for a smooth transition into university life. Don’t miss it out!

Foundation Year students are split into 2 groups. You will receive a text message on your mobile phone. Did you provide us your correct phone number?

The links to the detailed overview of the orientation programmes for each group and category are provided below:

Nobel Prize Laureate, Prof. Amano: “Towards a Zero Emission Society”

MUSCAT During an inspiring GUtech public talk by the Nobel Prize laureate (2014), Prof. Dr. Hiroshi Amano, held at the Kempinski Hotel Muscat last Wednesday, the Nobel winner called for an energy shift from oil-based economies towards renewable energies such as solar energy, reducing CO2 emissions by 80%. Prof. Amano stressed that an energy shift can prevent a further increase in temperatures worldwide. He and his research team are currently working on a long-term, interdisciplinary project to find innovative approaches towards developing a ‘Zero Emission Society”. Within this project, Prof. Amano and his colleagues have invented ‘movable offshore solar power stations’.  The so-called “Future Wireless Power Transmission Network” is an open innovation platform that develops sustainable, smart solutions for future energy challenges of our societies based on an Eco Research System. By using LED light, Japan reduced its annual electricity consumption by 7%. Today even in far reaching areas LED lights are used. A few years ago Prof. Amano visited Mongolia and was glad to see that LED lamps are used in the traditional Mongolian Ger tents.

Prof. Dr. Hiroshi Amano is a Doctor of Engineering and he is the Director of the Center for Integrated Research of Future Electronics (URFE) at the Institute of Materials and Systems for Sustainability (IMaSS) and he is the Director of the Akasaki Research Center at Nagoya University (Japan). He was awarded jointly for the Nobel Prize in Physics with Prof. Amano’s colleagues Prof. Dr. Isamu Akasaki and Prof. Dr. Shuji Nakamura in 2014. The three scientists received the Nobel Prize for their invention of efficient blue light-emitting diodes LED lights which have enabled bright and energy-saving white light sources.

Prof. Amanos talk entitled “Lighting the world with LEDs” and the “Internet of Energy” was held under the auspices of H.E. Dr. Abdul Munim bin Mansoor Al Hassani, Minister of Information, on Wednesday evening at Kempinski Hotel Muscat, Al Mouj. A number of dignitaries including H.E. Hilal Al Hinai, Secretary General of The Research Council (TRC) attended the event, which was organized by the German University of Technology in Oman (GUtech) in cooperation with Kempinski Hotel Muscat. Prof. Amano was accompanied by a delegation from Nagoya University (Japan) and the former Japanese Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman, H.E. Seigi Marimoto.

© GUtech/Text: Dr. Manuela Gutberlet; Photo: Fatma Al Balushi