Engineering Department News
4 Mechanical Engineering Students Employed By UES
Four NCT mechanical engineering students hurdled the on-campus job interview conducted by the United Engineering Services (UES) during the latter part of October. Basil Zahran Al-Salmi was employed by UES as a mechanical maintenance crew, while Jamal Muhanna Al-Nabhani, Waheb Hilal Al-Aamri, and Waleed Yahya Al-Mahrooqi were selected as operators. A total of 53 students appeared for the written examination and 22 were shortlisted for the interview.
The said activity was facilitated by the Engineering Department OJT Office, headed by Dr. Basavaraj Kothavale. Dr. Kothavale said that the office is thankful to Mr. Hamood Al-Rawahy and the other UES team members for giving opportunity to NCT students. He also gives thanks to Mr. Ismail Al-Riyami, the Head of OJT Department, Mr. Nair, the HoD of Engineering, and Mr. Saravanan, the HoS of Mechanical Section for their continuous help throughout the activity.
Oil and Gas Students Visit PDO - Qarn Alam
16 students from the Oil & Gas Section of the Engineering Department visited Petroleum Development Oman in Qarn Alam as part of their educational visit to different industries last November 13.
While in PDO, the students were first given a lecture by Mr. Mohammed Al-Harthy, maintenance coordinator, about the various activities carried out in PDO - Qarn Alam. He also gave the students a general overview of Petroleum Development Oman. In his lecture, Mr. Mohammed said that Qarn Alam is a house for safe production. He said that a lot of emphasis is given to attain a healthy and safe environment. Mr. Mohammed further said that the production of oil in Qarn Alam is 12% of the total Oman production, while 60% of the total gas produced in the Sultanate is also handled by this Centre. He said that Qarn Alam has five gas plants, three power plants of 4307 MWh capacity, over 3000 kilometers of flow lines, three RO plants and three sewage treatment plants.
The students industry visit activity also included workshops in mechanical, instrumentation and electrical, as well as a visit to the main office which houses the different departments as well as the central control room. During the workshop, the students were divided into three groups. Components like anti-friction bearings, seals, stuffing box, and centrifugal pumps were shown and handouts were distributed. Common symbols used in engineering were also explained. The students said that the pneumatically operated control valve demonstration was impressive and that the visit to the instrumentation spare parts store was very informative. The visit to the control room was equally informative as students are made aware of the importance of maintenance and repairs of equipment used in oil and gas industries.
Dr. Basavaraj Kothavale, Dr. PV Natu, and Mr. Imtiaz Malik, engineering lecturers, as well as Mr. Nasser Al-Fahadi, OJT Department staff, accompanied the students in their visit.
NCT Engineering Department To Build More Labs
The demolition and subsequent construction of new buildings that will house bigger and more updated electrical, electronics and communications, and mechanical engineering laboratories had finally started during the start of the new academic year. This project is through the on-going push of the Ministry of Manpower to upgrade the current facilities of the Colleges of Technology on the Sultanate to produce better caliber professionals and technologists that will serve the country in the immediate future.
Currently, the old carpentry workshop as well as the old welding workshop are already demolished. It is envisaged that more modern laboratories and staff offices will be built in these locations in the next few years.