The ANJIZ Center and Blended Learning- Written by: Ms. Salwa Said Al Anqoudi ANJIZ head administrator, English Instructor

The ANJIZ Center and Blended Learning

Ms. Salwa Said Al Anqoudi

ANJIZ head administrator, English Instructor

     ANJIZ is a Foundation Resource Center that offers foundation students the opportunity to complete their academic journey in the Foundation Program. It is an initiative of the University of Nizwa to enable development of foundation students’ academic skills and abilities to meet the demands of university academic life. The ANJIZ Center provides free- of-charge services to foundation students, to develop their learning skills, and understanding of academic concepts, before exiting the Foundation program.

    ANJIZ offers Academic Consultation Sessions, from conversational activities to educational workshops, and during COVID-19 pandemic, has continued to support Foundation students in their remote studies. Remedial support is a crucial online support service provided for foundation students as it involves instructors supporting Foundation students remotely in classroom activities like homework, assignments, and exams. This service bridges the gap between the teachers and the students to strengthen their academic relationships and to directly address the learners’ needs and requirements, in addition to emphasizing the structure of academic guidance in higher education.

     Peer-tutorial sessions extend the provision of ANJIZ facilities to foundation students through a UoN funded initiative in which peer tutors (bachelor program students) assist them in their homework, courses’ revisions, and exams. Here students are assisted in understanding the processes and mechanisms of higher educational study and production, by young people who have ‘walked the same pathway,’ previously.

     Voice-Conversation sessions open the doors of self-expression, to Foundation students to express themselves freely, and without correction, in a relaxed environment with English-speaking facilitators. They enable them to exchange ideas, to discuss other societies and cultures, and to learn more of the world around them. They also positively impact upon students’ self-reliance, expression of thoughts and opinions, their ability to debate conversationally, and accept other’s views. These skills and qualities promote greater understanding of others and broaden social empathy and compassion.

     Educational workshops are sessions provided for foundation students to overcome challenges they may face in Foundation courses of English, Math and Computer Skills. These workshops, provided only by ANJIZ, are presented by Foundation teachers who select the workshops’ topics based on their in-class observations of the student’s requirements, and address issues identified across the FI teaching and learning environment.

    In the current blended learning progress, ANJIZ Center makes its academic services accessible to all foundation students through its efficient online appointments system, where students can access the various educational programs and register their preferences. Several platforms have been used to deliver effective services to the students via Google Meet, Zoom and Moodle in this post-Covid-19 era, so that when it comes to education, we should say there are no limits to distance learning. “This is a time of challenge and opportunity,” said Al Anqoudi, “for us to prove we can accomplish  all of the challenges this environment presents, and with our knowledge and skills, embrace the opportunities ahead, personally and academically.”