KPMG, Muscat University agree student placement programme

KPMG Oman has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Muscat University to establish a cooperative programme of scholarly activities in the area of Business and Management. Of particular note is the offer of a one-year student placement, the first of its kind in the Sultanate. In recognition of industry’s need for career-ready graduates, Muscat University has launched undergraduate programmes, delivered in partnership with Aston University, that include a mandatory year of industrial work placement, as part of the degree programme. Through these sandwich placements our students will gain a broad range of professional experience, both technical training and personal development opportunities, that will equip them with the skills they need to succeed in their chosen career. In addition to the one-year placement the two organisations will work together to foster appropriate professional development activities, of interest to both organisations and the business community, organise knowledge exchange sessions for students in the topics of finance and audit and taxation, that will strengthen capacity building in Oman. Muscat University’s vision is to transform individuals and communities through excellence in teaching, learning and research producing the leaders of the future in both the public and private sectors. Our programmes combine academic rigour with relevance to the world of work. Khalid Ansari, of KPMG said: “The one-year student sandwich placement was the missing component in all the degree programmes offered in Oman. Industry needs graduates who are exposed to business, and Muscat University degrees offer this experience. We are committed to cooperate with Muscat University to provide value added education”. Professor Costas Chryssou, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Muscat University added: “This agreement reflects our University’s efforts to foster strong links with industry and the professions as a means of producing career-ready graduates making a difference in the local and regional ecosystems. This MoU will allow our University to continue providing industry informed education and will further equip our students with a unique experience of a sandwich placement with KPMG, a leading, global, accounting and auditing firm working on real projects with real client impact”.