First
Joint scientific symposium of the Colleges of APPLIED SCIENCES in the Sultanate
of Oman
Technological Development: Challenges and Perspectives
12-13 April 2010
Table of Abstracts
Educational
Hypermedia Development Methodologies. 3
Investigating the ethical
issues behind knowledge weakness caused by plagiarism proliferated via an
e-learning environment. 4
Information Systems (IS)
Security and Policies: Practices in the Educational Institutions in the
Sultanate of Oman. 5
Active Learning for Computer
Engineering Students: An Alternative Approach to Teaching and Learning 7
How Does a Learning
Management System Improve Teaching and Student Performance? The Case Study of
an experimental LMS system at the University of Nizwa. 8
Managing Strategies of Technology Transfer:
Introducing a Model of the Higher Education Admission Centre in Oman. 9
Feasibility of Dual Degree Programs in
Engineering and Management. 10
Review of Technological
Challenges in Web - Based Learning Content Management Systems (LCMS) with
special emphasis on extraction of Learning Contents. 11
Review of Technological
Challenges in Web - Based Learning Content Management Systems (LCMS) with
special emphasis on extraction of Learning Contents. 13
IT Impacts on Homeland
Security. 14
Recent Research Issues and
Methodology to Improve the Performance in Mobile Computing 15
Study on CBCS for
Employability – A network Model. 16
UWB Channel Estimation
Techniques. 17
Modified Log Power Software
Reliability Model. 18
A Proposed Model to Implement
Load and Throughput of W LAN implemented as Wi-Fi System 19
Efficient Compilation through
Demand Driven Register Allocation Framework (DDRAF) for Subword Parallelism in
Programmable Media Processors. 20
Omani Information Technology
(IT) Development Trends With Smart Omani Government Evolutionary Paradigm
Shifts. 21
DRAWBACK OF DATA
TRANSMISSIONS BETWEEN MOBILE DATABASES WITHOUT PROTECTION: IS IT A RISK OF TRANSACTION
MANAGEMENT?. 22
Automatic Part-of-Speech
Tagger Based Arabic Language. 23
Exponential Cost Function in
Economic Load Dispatch of Thermal Power Plants – A Neural Network Approach. 24
OFDM: Applications in Fixed
and Mobile Communication Systems. 25
Social Networking Sites as a
new medium of communication – a study of objectives of usage among the Omani
youth. 26
Technological Development and
Effective Graphic Design. 28
A STUDY ON MODERN MARKETING
TETHODOLOGIES IN THE ERA OF COMPUTERISATION. 29
TECHNOLOGY IN MARKETING:
INTEGRATING E-CRM TECHNOLOGY IN BUSINESS: STUDY WITH REFERENCE TO THE EFFECT OF
E-CRM ON WEB SITE SERVICE IN BANKS. 30
MANAGING EXPATRIATE HUMAN
CAPITAL IN TECHNOLOGY-DRIVEN ORGANIZATIONS. 31
Dr.
Salah Alkhafaji and B. Sriram
dr_salahalkhafaji@yahoo.co.uk,
sriram@suc.edu.om
Sur University College
Abstract
Now – a – day’s hypermedia system plays a vital role
in educational systems. As the whole world is experiencing new technological
developments, traditional ways of teaching will not be so effective and
constructive. Hypermedia and hypertext should be used as effective tools for
both teaching and learning. In a hypermedia environment students need to
participate actively. The understanding capacity of student’s is divergent. The
requirements of the courses vary. Hypermedia should provide all facilities by
taking all these issues into consideration. Also, it should motivate the
students towards learning. When a hypermedia course designed, proper designing
approach should be followed in order to satisfy all needs. In this research, we
are trying to bring out methodologies to develop hypermedia and hypertext that
enables the students to get the specific skills and subject skills by
understanding the facts and theories of the course.
Keywords: Educational Hypermedia, Hypermedia
Technology, Hypertext System, Education Perceptive, Active Learning, Hypermedia
Learning
Dr
Béchir Gattoufi and Dr Magid Nikraz
bechir.soh@cas.edu.om; magid.soh@cas.edu.om
College of Applied Sciences – Sohar
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to explore the latest
developments in on-line technologies which can be adopted by instructors to
refine their teaching skills. We will discuss some of the web-based
applications which are used on daily basis at the College of Applied Sciences
in Sohar, Oman (COAS-S). Furthermore, one of the leading Learning Management
Systems (LMS), namely Blackboard, has been adopted by all colleges (COAS) in
Oman. Unfortunately, the course delivery is done without policies/ codes
managing relationships between e-learning actors. Many new kinds of problems
are therefore faced on a daily basis by the main three components making up
these institutions: administrative staff, students, and teachers. Most of these
problems can be considered as ethical issues. Focus will be on plagiarism as an
ethical issue. An investigation was carried out previously showing the extent
to which plagiarism is leading to knowledge weakness. After a brief
bibliographic summary about plagiarism as an ethical issue in higher education
worldwide, this paper then covers different aspects of this issue. Practical
actions for preventing plagiarism and combating it are described. Management
advice for this ethical issue, specific for a Middle Eastern environment, is
proposed finally.
Solane D. Basister solane520@yahoo.com
Ibra College of Technology
Abstract
A secondary analysis of survey data was conducted on
an investigation of the information technology security and policies in the
public and private educational institutions in the Sultanate of Oman to
identify how the practices correlated with one another.
Findings of the study showed that in the private and
public educational institutions in the Sultanate of Oman, there are significant
correlations in the practices in terms of (a) data classification scheme; (b)
awareness of the relevant statutory, regulatory, and contractual requirements;
(c) information security education training; (d) employee obligation on company
information; (e) information security threats and concerns; (f) duties and
responsibilities in protecting data; and (g) trail audit of security policies.
However, there is no significant correlation in terms of (a) review and update
of policies; and (b) compliance check.
The Scientific College of Design, Al Zahra College,
Ibra College of Technology, Medical Institutions, and Gulf College have the
best practices in terms of data classification while the Caledonian College,
Majan College, International Maritime College of Oman need improvement in this
area; in terms of review and update of policies, the Ibra College of
Technology, Scientific College of Design, and Majan College, are having the
best practices while the other colleges need to be more consistent; in terms of
awareness of relevant statutory, regulatory, and contractual requirements, the
Scientific College of Design, Al Zahra College, Majan College, Sultan Qaboos
University, and Muscat College have the best practices; in terms of information
security education training, the Majan College and Scientific College of Design
are having the best practices while the Gulf College needs to start conducting
their information security education training; in terms of employee obligations
on company information, the Caledonian College, Majan College, and the Middle
East College are having the best practices but the Scientific College of
Design, Waljat College, Modern College of Business and Science, Nizwa College
of Applied Science, MoH Medical Institutions, and Gulf College should consider having
a written agreement to be signed by employee regarding their responsibility to
protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of company data; in
terms of trail audit, the Caledonian College is having the best practice but
the Scientific College of Design, and Gulf College should start conducting a
trail audit of the different security policies and the Mazoon College should
start with awareness campaign and provide their employees with copies of
security policies for audit verification; in terms of security threats and
concerns, the Majan College and Scientific College of Design are having the
best practices but the Sur College should start having a procedure to identify
and inform staff regarding malicious software; in terms of duties and responsibilities,
the Caledonian College, Majan College, Middle East College, and Gulf College
are having the best practices while the other institutions simply need to be
more consistent in their practices; in terms of compliance check, the
Scientific College of Design, Caledonian College, Majan College, Middle East
College, Ibra College of Technology, and International Maritime College of Oman
are having the best practices but the Albayan College should have a process for
compliance check and the Nizwa College of Applied Science should regularly
check their information systems for compliance with their company policies.
In the light of the findings, it is recommended that
information systems security and policies in the organizations should be
consistently followed through; educational institutions in the Sultanate of
Oman should strengthen their practices in terms of reviewing their policies and
updating these policies in response to new threats, new technologies and
significant security incidents; practices on compliance check should be
consistent to ensure that security measures are being carried out to prevent
breach on information systems security; and similar studies using a more
in-depth method like experimental or case study methods of research will provide
a deeper analysis of the different practices in the educational institutions in
the Sultanate of Oman to have a better understanding of the different factors
that affect an information systems security program.
Keywords: information systems, security, policies,
practices.
Solane
D. Basister solane520@yahoo.com
Ibra College of Technology
Abstract
An experimental research method using the single
group with a pre-test and post-test design was conducted on 33 Computer
Engineering students to introduce Active Learning as an alternative method for
teaching Basic Logic Gates concept in Digital Electronics in the classroom and
determine whether gains in learning is associated with exposing the students to
the experimental factor. The experimental factor was the researcher-made
instructional materials specifically designed to demonstrate digital
electronics concepts and functions using pre-fabricated Printed Circuit Board
(PCB) which the student has to assemble and the accompanying Manual as guide
which also contains series of experiment that the students have to perform
using the assembled PCB.
The results of the students’ performances during the
pre-test and post-test showed mean distribution scores of 5.79 and 29.91, with
standard deviations of 5.787 and 7.539, respectively in the 40-items assessment
tests. The z-test for correlated sample @ 0.05 level of significance is 13.797
(ZCV = ±
1.96), which indicates that there is significant difference in the performance
of the students during the pre-test and post-test as a result of the
experimental factor.
The results of the study suggest that gains in
learning is associated with the use of alternative teaching methods in the
classroom like Active Learning as it allows students to understand better the
concepts taught through experiential learning or active participation in the
class. Hence, it is recommended that teachers explore different methods of
teaching in order to motivate students to facilitate better learning.
Keywords: Active Learning, Basic Logic Gates,
Digital Electronics, Printed Circuit Board, pre-test, post-test.
Fathi
Tenzakhti tenzakhti@yahoo.com
Department of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University
of Nizwa
Abstract
A Learning Management System (or LMS) is a software
package that enables the management and delivery of learning content and
resources to students. In 2004, when I started working at the University of
Nizwa, I realized that there was no such reliable facility available and it was
difficult to deliver the content to students, to manage the content and have it
ready when needed. It was also hard to communicate to the student the exam
dates, exam marks, extra tutorials, old exams, solutions to the different
assessments etc... I decided to write my own LMS (small scale one) to manage my
courses and deliver content to the students.
In this study, I will explain the architecture of
the LMS I developed, the programs and techniques used in the development of the
LMS modules, the performance of the LMS, and the effects that this system had
on course delivery and student performance and satisfactions.
Keywords: Leaning Management System, Internet
Technology, Web, Performance, MyLMS, WebCM.
Dr.
Harith Al Hinai and Dr. Harun-Al-Rashid Yusuf
drharith@omantel.net.om,
hryusuf@hotmail.com
College of Applied
Sciences - Rustaq
Abstract
The purpose of
this paper is to present some issues related to Management Strategies for
Technology Transfer (MSTT) based on a model of the Higher Education Admission
Centre (HEAC) in the Sultanate of Oman. The paper also examines some practical
issues on the model which the researchers would like to explore. One of the
important issues is to ask what strategies of MSTT influenced the HEAC
performance in terms of promoting it to be the first prize winner for the best
institution of technology transfer. The competition attracted competitors from
160 countries around the world.
HEAC processes
the admission of high school diploma holders to higher education institutions in
accordance with their academic tendencies, their high school diploma results,
and the conditions of admission specified by different institutions of higher
education in the country. The research
focuses on both theoretical and practical approaches to MSTT. Indeed, both
concepts can be effective in encouraging academic institutions to achieve
higher performance in the field of technology transfer.
Dr Ratnakar Kulkarni ratnakarkulkarni36@gmail.com
Ibri College of
Technology
Abstract
This paper discusses feasibility of dual degree
programs in engineering and management. The concept of dual degree program is
not new and such programs are offered worldwide including top universities in
USA. The pattern of educational system in Oman and how it can accommodate dual
degree programs is discussed. The feasible combinations of engineering and
management areas that could be considered for the higher diploma and degree
level are elaborated. The structure of the program based on educational system
in Oman is proposed. The advantages, limitations of the program and job
opportunities after graduation are also discussed.
Keywords: Duel degree, Management programs,
Engineering and management, feasibility
Dinesh Kumar Saini, Lakshmi Sunil Prakash and Wail M Omar
Faculty of Computing and Information Technology, Sohar University
dinesh@soharuni.edu.om,
lakshmi@soharuni.edu.om, w.omar@soharuni.edu.om.
Abstract
Learning Content Management (LCMS) is essential in
the current education system according to its importance in leaving the
education process and create better collaboration framework between students
and staff. This paper analyzes some of the existing Learning Content Management
Systems (LCMS) with emphasis on Architecture and Design Issues. Learning Object
Repositories (LOR) have great impact on retrieval and storage of contents, so
performance improvement issues via content Aggregation in Learning Object
Repositories have been studied in this paper The paper discusses the challenges
that are being faced by WBLCMS with regards to content extraction.
Feasibility
of Dual Degree Programs in Engineering and Management
Dr
Ratnakar Kulkarni
Ibri
College of Technology, Ibri, Oman
ratnakarkulkarni36@gmail.com
Abstract
This paper discusses feasibility of dual degree
programs in engineering and management. The concept of dual degree program is
not new and such programs are offered worldwide including top universities in
USA. The pattern of educational system in Oman and how it can accommodate dual
degree programs is discussed. The feasible combinations of engineering and
management areas that could be considered for the higher diploma and degree
level are elaborated. The structure of the program based on educational system
in Oman is proposed. The advantages, limitations of the program and job
opportunities after graduation are also discussed.
Keywords:
Duel degree, Management programs,
Engineering and management, feasibility
Dinesh Kumar Saini, Lakshmi Sunil Prakash and Wail M
Omar
Faculty of Computing and Information Technology,
Sohar University
dinesh@soharuni.edu.om,
lakshmi@soharuni.edu.om, w.omar@soharuni.edu.om.
Abstract
Learning Content Management (LCMS) is essential in
the current education system according to its importance in leaving the
education process and create better collaboration framework between students
and staff. This paper analyzes some of the existing Learning Content Management
Systems (LCMS) with emphasis on Architecture and Design Issues. Learning Object
Repositories (LOR) have great impact on retrieval and storage of contents, so
performance improvement issues via content Aggregation in Learning Object
Repositories have been studied in this paper The paper discusses the challenges
that are being faced by WBLCMS with regards to content extraction.
Prof. Dr. Elsayed Abdel Aziz Soleit
College of Applied Sciences - Sohar
Email:eselit2008@gmail.com
Abstract
Recently, the application of information
technologies covers the whole life activities and fields. This paper focuses
the application of object
identification and recognition techniques for the service of homeland security.
The online face images are captured, preprocessed and applied to a feature
extraction unit. Then, a linear prediction code process is executed. The linear
prediction coefficients represent the principle features to an image classifier
where these features are compared with those of preprocessed ones. The minimum Euclidian distance recognizer is
used. In this work a small data base of different faces of persons is built up.
The assumed attributes are personal data and the features of the facial
image. The recognition accuracy is
encouraged and is of the order of 80%. The recognition accuracy can be improved
using adaptive recursive LPC.
Keywords: Home Land, Security,
Identification, Recognition, Linear Prediction, Feature Extraction.
Dr.J.Akbar Ali and
G.Shanmugarthinam
Ibri College of Technology
akbarose@yahoo.com,
metshanmugam@yahoo.co.in
Abstract
Caching is the important techniques in mobile
computing. In caching frequently accessed data in mobile client avoiding
network traffic and improve the performance in mobile computing. There are some
problem due to changeable data size and frequently modernize data, limited
client resource and disconnection of client. So it is difficult to maintained the cache consistency in mobile
computing. Recent research in Consistency approach leads to maintaining (cache)
consistency with the use of invalidation (or) update reports.
The server from time to time broadcasts update (or)
invalidation report to the clients. Update reports reflect the changes in the
state of the database. A draw back of the method is that the invalidation
report compels a high processing load on clients. Clients have to listen to all
reports, even though there may be no changes to the data cache for all the clients.
We design a new technique called log and thread
synchronization model for cache
consistency maintenance, and we design the node as master client cache between
server and clients, maintain a log and thread synchronization in client and
server and thus maintain the cache consistency.It reduces work load in server
database. This technique saves wireless
bandwidth and reduce the network traffic .
Keywords:
mobile database, wireless networks, database cache, threads Agent.
Dr.A.Clementking
and M.A. Mohamed Sulaiman
Dept of IT, Salalah College of Technology , Salalah
clementking@yahoo.com , md_sulaiman13@yahoo.co.in
Abstract
Omani Educational System which is designed and
implemented by the Ministry of Man Power is to promote employability and to
meet the requirements of Human resource for Oman. The specialization and its
subject selections are through Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) by each
student. It motivates the learners and all the academic, industrial stack
holders to achieve the college vision – “College of Choice”.
This study convert the current educational system of Technology Colleges as a
Network model and analysis the same for its suitability of Employability. This
analysis is highly concentrated on the academic departments such as Information
Technology, Business Studies and Engineering as base model adopted from Salalah
college of Technology. This study covers
Foundation, certificate, Diploma and Higher Diploma Levels. This analysis leads the optimization process
to meet the requirement of Industries.
Key Words: Omani Education System,
Choice Based Credit System (CBCS), Network model, employability
Prof. Vikash Sharma$ and Dr. Sanjay Kumar#
$ Waljat Colleges of Applied Sciences, Muscat
Sultanate of Oman
Email : vikash@waljat.net
# Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra
Ranchi
– 835215 India
E
mail: skumar@bitmesra.ac.in
Abstract
The Ultra Wideband technique was developed in early
60’s but its commercial application started in late 90’s. It is an efficient
technology which can be used at very low energy levels for short-range
high-bandwidth communications. According to FCC norms “UWB signals as those
which have a fractional bandwidth greater than 0.20 or a bandwidth greater than
500 MHz measured at the -10 dB points”. It supports a data range up to 480Mbps
up to a distance of 10 meters in a frequency range 3.1 to 10.6 GHz.
Present paper is focused on the experimental
techniques implemented by various researchers for estimating the channel of UWB
communication systems. The indoor propagation studies have noted that signal
attenuation and distortion in pulse shape depends on the frequency band used.
The major findings of these experiments were summarized. Opportunities for
combining OFDM and MIMO concepts with UWB channel has also been discussed.
Key words: UWB, MIMO, OFDM, indoor propagation
model.
Dr. S.Thirumurugan#, Dr. D.R.Prince
Williams# and Dr. P.Vivekanandan$
# Department of Information Technology, Sohar
College of Applied Sciences, Sohar, Oman
thirums@gmail.com,
princeshree1@gmail.com
$ A.C.Tech Campus, Anna University, Chennai, India
vivek@annauniv.edu
Abstract:
Due to the large scale applications of software
systems, software reliability plays an important role in software developments.
In this paper, a modified log power software reliability growth model (MPLSRGM)
is proposed. The instantaneous failure rate, mean-value function, error
detection rate, reliability of the software, estimation of parameters and the
simple applications of this model are presented.
Keywords: Software Reliability, Non
Homogenous Poisson Process(NHPP), Instantaneous Failure Rate, Mean Value
Function, Error Detection Rate, Estimation of Parameters.
Dr. Mayyada Hammoshi $ and Mrs. Razan
Alani #
$ College of Applied science-Ibri
#Technical college of Mosul/Iraq
mayyada_hammoshi@yahoo.com,
razan_alani@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
WLAN performance has been shaped by a family of
standards under the 802.11 designation developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.
(IEEE). Interoperability between products is verified by the Wireless Ethernet
Compatibility Alliance, which grants the use of its Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity)
logo to products that pass its tests.
This paper explains in detail the technical characteristics of different standards of
Wi-Fi as well as differences between versions of different standards of Wi-Fi (
802.11x). It also describes the technology positioning, and reviews the
standards and technology associated with various usage models. An
implementation of a simple Wi-Fi
deployment using OPNET IT Guru Academics edition ver. 9.1 shows the results of this
implementation.
Munesh Singh Chauhan,
College of Applied Sciences, Ibri, Sultanate of
Oman,
munesh.ibr@cas.edu.om
Abstract
Data parallelism refers to the execution of a same
program on different data sets by an algorithm. SIMD architecture provides a
suitable environment to achieve data parallelism. To enhance data execution in
parallel, subword parallelism involves splitting a word into many sub parts
called subwords. Particularly, application specific processors for multimedia
can become a suitable candidate for exploitation of subword parallelism. The
focus of our paper is on the architectural and compiler support for subword
parallelism. We introduce an intelligent Demand Driven Register Allocation
Framework (DDRAF). This scheme addresses the fundamental bottleneck of global
register allocation for subword sized variables. This will lead to high
performance media processors that exploit parallel behavior in a program at
run-time on fine grain (subword) level. Further the future aim is to fine tune
compilers for latency reduction for media applications. It has been seen that
the quality of the audio/ video data depends on the ability of the processors
to execute multiple subword data in parallel.
Keywords: subword, register spilling, speculative
register allocation, media processor
Professor Sadiq Hussain, PhD
Department of Information Technology,
Ibri College of Applied Sciences, MOHE, Oman
sadiq.ibr@cas.edu.om
ABSTRACT
This paper outlines Omani Information Technology
(IT) Development Trends with Smart Omani Government Evolutionary IT Paradigm
Shifts. Recently Oman has moved up four points and is now ranked 38 on the
World Economic Development Index. Also,
on e-government readiness index Oman is up 28 points being now ranked 84th
by the United Nations (2008 UN Office for World Economic and Social
Development). These remarkable Omani successes are not surprising considering
that the Sultanate of Oman was founded in 1650 and is one of the Oldest
Independent States in the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council). The present paper also discusses how IT
Departments in Omani Colleges of Applied Sciences (CAS) may contribute to these
Smart Omani Government Evolutionary IT Paradigm Shifts. Case Methods in practice are cited from Colleges
of Applied Sciences (CAS) IT Departments for Omani Regional and National
Technological Development. Finally this paper gives some Conclusions and
relevant up-to-date References.
Keywords: Oman Information Technology, Development
Trends, Paradigm Shifts
Dr.
Ziyad.T.Abdul-Mehdi, Sudha Senthilkumar and Dr.Bechir Gattoufi
Department of
Information technology,
College of
Applied Sciences - Sohar
Sultanate of
Oman
ziyad.soh@cas.edu.om, sudha.soh@cas.edu.om,
bechir.soh@cas.edu.om
Abstract
Mobile computing and communication is a rapidly
developing area. But mobility is associated with the problems of security and
privacy beyond those in open networks. A well known threat is tracking user
movements. New risks are caused by the mobility of users. This paper represents
four mobile transaction management models and a comparison between them which
shows that all of them work without security transmission between mobile host
(MH) and base station (BS).
Jabar H.Yousif 1 , Tengku m. T.sembok2,
1Faculty of Computing &
Information Technology,
Sohar
University ,P.O. Box: 44, P. Code 311,
Sohar, Sultanate of Oman
2Faculty of Information Science and
Technology,
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia(UKM),
43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.
Jyousif@soharuni.edu.om, tmts@ftsm.ukm.my
Abstract
Automatic
Part-of-Speech Tagger for Arabic language Based on neural network approaches,
namely, Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) and Fully Recurrent Neural Network (FRNN),
has been developed and evaluated. Besides, the super vector machines tagger is
developed and evaluated. The neural based approaches not only consummate the
associations (word-to-tag mappings) from a representative training data set,
but it can also be generalized as unseen exemplars. Moreover, the RNN
approaches, nevertheless, exhibit a complex and dynamic behavior, in which it
has proven to be capable of representing these structures. The experiments have
proven that not only the proposed taggers are highly accurate (of 99.99%), they
requires a lower processing time and a lesser amount of data to achieve the
learning phase. Similarly, the POS disambiguation problem was successfully
solved.
Keywords: Arabic part-of-speech, Arabic morphology,
Natural language processing, neural networks.
Mohammad
Mohatram# and Dr Peeyush Tewari PhD $
# Waljat Colleges of Applied Sciences, Muscat,
Oman .
mmohtram20@gmail.com
$ Birla Institute of Technology, Ras
Al Khaimah, UAE.
academic@biticrak.ae
Abstract
Abdullah S. ALARAIMI
Ministry of Information, Sultanate of Oman
Abstract
Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) is
one of the multi-carrier technique which has been considered for various types
of digital communications. The method became the heart of both, fixed and
mobile communication systems. OFDM is applied in terrestrial digital video
broadcasting (DVB-T, DVB-T2) and digital audio broadcasting (DAB, +DAB). Also,
it has application mobile broadcasting (DVB-H). Recently, three of high
definition television (HDTV)standards in the world are using OFDM. This paper
describes the main features of the OFDM system and explains two of the main
problems in the new technique. We concentrate on the inter-carrier interference
(ICI) and the peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) problems. Moreover, Oman
strategical plan of starting HDTV services will be shown.
Dr. Samskrati
Gulvady
Department of
Communication,
College of
Applied Sciences, Sohar
Phone:
00-968-92502196
Email: samskrati.soh@cas.edu.om
Introduction:
The technological advancements are bringing about
myriad changes in all areas of our life. The communication sphere has also been
affected by the technological changes in different ways and different levels.
One of the major inventions in the Information
Technology era is the Internet which offers innumerable services to its users,
thus making the world a global village.
Social Networking sites have entered the community
of netizens, which have further opened the doors of communication beyond
boundaries.
Social Networking sites such as Myspace, Facebook,
etc have attracted millions of users around the world who have integrated these
sites into their daily practices. Such sites support a wide range of interests
and practices, and also incorporate new information and communication tools
like blogging, photo/video sharing, etc.
Considering the impact of Social Networking sites in
the global scenario in different aspects of our lives, this paper proposes to
do a pilot study which will examine the nature and usage of social networking
scenario among the youth in Oman.
The study will trace the changes, advantages and
disadvantages that social networking brings among the Omani youth, and how it
affects their interpersonal and intercultural communication and relationships.
Objectives of the research:
The study aims to:
- Examine
the nature of Social Networking culture among the Omani youth
- Observe
the motives of social networking in this scenario.
- Discover
the changes, advantages and disadvantages that Social Networking brings
for the youth
Research Methodology:
The study will be conducted by survey
(questionnaire) method to analyze the nature of usage of social networking
sites among the youth.
Key words:
Social media / social networking sites, youth,
awareness, usage, gender differences-similarities
Fatma Mohamed Salim Al-A’mri
Lecturer of
Design at Nizwa College of Applied Science
P.O Box 655 Postal code 121 Seeb
Fatma_amri.niz@cas.edu.om
Abstract
The
desktop computer has transformed the design profession profoundly over the past
25 years. Consequently, graphic design has grown into something more complex,
as the designer has expanded his talents into new skill sets and areas of
creative practice. In the early nineties, an explosion of typeface design was
the result of consumer access to technology: PostScript language and software
for creating and modifying typefaces reached the designer’s hands (Woolman,
Motion Design) [1]. By the mid nineties, the designer gained access to the
tools for creating and producing web sites and moving types. We are now in the
midst of a new wave commonly referred to as motion graphics, or motion design.
Therefore, to study how technology has affected design concepts we need to
study the differences of old graphic design work that used traditional tools
along with modern graphic design that used new media techniques. Doing so will
be through studying the changes in graphic design through some samples selected
of old and new well known graphic design
pieces of the same category.
Keywords: Graphic design, technology, technological
development, effective design, modern design, traditional design
Dr. M.Krishna Murthy, Salalah College of Technology, Sultanate of Oman, mail:
drkmt@yahoo.com
INTRODUCTION
Marketing is the process associated with promotion
for sale goods or services. It is considered a social and managerial process by
which individuals and groups obtain what they need and want through creating
and exchanging products and values with others. It is an integrated process
through which companies create value for customers and build strong customer
relationships in order to capture value from customers in return. Marketing is
used to create the customer, to keep the customer and to satisfy the customer.
With the customer as the focus of its activities, it can be concluded that
marketing management is one of the major components of business management. The
evolution of marketing was caused due to mature markets and overcapacities in
the last decades. Companies then shifted the focus from production to the
customer in order to stay profitable.
Dr. Dileep Kumar. M. and Mr. Azim Khan
Ibri College of
Technology, Sultanate of Oman.
dr.dileepk@yahoo.co.in
Abstract
To succeed in
today’s faster and more competitive markets, organizations must find new and
effective ways to open new revenue streams, improve enterprise efficiency and
foster profitable long-term growth. Many of the world’s leading business
organizations are achieving those core objectives by focusing intently on the
quality and lifetime value of their customer relationships. By adopting an
integrated, managed approach to sales and service interactions, these
world-class organizations are relearning the traditional lesson of putting the
“customer first.”
Customer
relationship management is a business strategy that provides the enterprise
with a complete, dependable, and integrated view of its customer base. Although
eCRM research is prolific, there appears to be a lack of consistent
understanding and agreement as to the operationalization of the term eCRM. Some
research refers to eCRM as a philosophy (Crafton, 2002), some consider eCRM a
marketing strategy (Bai, Hu, & Jang, 2006), and others refer to specific
software tools, methods, and systems as eCRM (H. M. Chen, Chen, & Kazman,
2007; Scullin, Fjermestad, & Romano,
2004). e- CRM system brings together lots of pieces of information about
customers, sales, market trends, marketing effectiveness and responsiveness. e-
CRM system helps companies improve the profitability of their interactions with
customers while at the same time making those interactions appear friendlier
through individualization. e- CRM purpose is to enhance customer satisfaction
and retention by alignment of customer business processes with technology
integration. This particular research tries to explore the relationship between
technology and effective e- CRM in business organizations, especially banks,
which influence the sustainable service process.
Dr. Reynaldo Gacho Segumpan
Joanna Soraya Abu Zahari
Department of International Business Administration
College of Applied Sciences – Sohar
segumpan@yahoo.com
joannasoraya@gmail.com
Abstract
Managers of
various business enterprises are challenged by a number of concerns and
problems related to organizational dynamics and development, profitability, and
sustainability, among others. Human resource managers, in particular, have to
deal with diverse workforce, rules and regulations, staff turnover, labor
union, and a number of other issues related to human capital.
In international
human resource management, human resource managers have to contend with
attractive and competitive expatriate management program. When successful, such
program will redound to organizational productivity and effectiveness.
The pivotal
question examined in this paper is: How can organizations manage expatriate
human capital, in particular, in technology-driven enterprises?
This paper
looks into the strategies and approaches on how to carry out an effective
expatriation program. It explores some global companies that have successfully
implemented such program, and from their practices and know-how, the paper
hopes to synthesize ideas and experiences that human resource managers can
utilize as they embark on crafting and putting in place a hassle-free expatriate
human capital initiatives. “Making the difference” in expatriation management
is implied in the discussions of this paper.