Education and training > Directorate General of Education & Training
DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF EDUCATION & TRAINING (DGET)
Introduction
The ministry of health recognizes manpower as a key resource in the health care system and emphasizes the need to optimize its planning, production and management. In order to ensure that human resources development helps in achieving and sustaining the highest possible level of health for its people. The Ministry of health attaches significant importance to human resource development as a strategy for achieving effective health services development in the sultanate. The ministry considers education and training as the key strategy for achieving self sufficiency in health care human resources.
DGET Mission
DGET is responsible to educate and train qualified health professionals and to strengthen the ministry employees' performances to deliver a high quality care. This is achieved by identifying the ministry needs of qualified workforce, and set plans, strategies and polices in the field of education, training, scholarships, continuing education and library and learning resources. DGET also sets strategic plans for supervising the health educational institutes and develops, reviews and evaluates the institutes' curriculum. It also supervises those on scholarship, fellowship or under training in Oman or abroad.
DGET provides high standard education and training in a conducive environment for learners to meet the health needs and expectations of the society by offering innovative educational programs, continuing professional education, scholarship and research that promote lifelong learning.
DGET is committed to producing & training Omani healthcare professionals who will deliver efficient, safe, competent and culturally relevant care to the population. The graduates are reflective professionals who use evidence based practice in the provision of health care to the community.
DGET is committed to ensuring continuing professional & educational excellence in collaboration with Higher Education Providers, community and other national & international agencies.
DGET education and training strategy is based on 5 elements:
DGET is headed by the Director General who reports directly to H.E. the Undersecretary for Planning Affairs, Ministry of Health. It achieves its goals through its sections, Directorates and Health Educational Institutes: Coordinating & follow up; Experts & Advisors; Directorate of Administration & finance; Directorate of Training & scholarship; Directorate of Continuing Education; and the Health educational Institutes all of which in turn reports to the Director General, DGET.
Coordinating & follow up section
Follow up of the implementation of work referred by the DG to the different departments
Coordinate income and outgoing communications from & to the DG office
Writing reports & meeting minutes chaired by the DG
Preparing annual reports for the DGET and institutes employees
Maintaining data in regarding to education & training and classifying them
Preparation for the forth coming meetings within or outside the ministry of health
Inviting of the Directors and section heads for meetings chaired by the DG
Distribution of internal memos as directed to by the DG
Other responsibilities assigned by the DG
Experts and Advisors
Provide Advice on the technical expertise in their areas of specializations
Preparing of studies, and reports
Participate and provide consultancy support in meetings, seminars, or workshops organized by the DGET
Advisor - Nursing Education
Assumes an
advisory role which will include:
-Be a resource person in training and liaise with universities
overseas regarding further education.
-Review curriculum and advise Deans of Nursing Institutes for
implementation.
-Advice on examinations and assessment.
-Produce reports on training issues.
-Identify educational resources for training.
-Plan, organize and implement educational activities at DGET.
-Communicate with universities and international institutions
on matters pertaining to training.
-Direct study program for Omanis at overseas institutions.
-Interview faculty for employment.
-Review staffing complement, posting and annual leave.
-Conducts need assessment on educational issues and educational
resources.
-Advise the Director General, deans and faculty on matters
pertaining to education and training.
-Conduct feasibility studies on training and for new projects.
-Seek information from overseas institution for training
purposes.
-Determine the effective use of educational resources and
advise accordingly on cost containment.
Advisor - Internship and Postgraduate Medical
Education Coordinator
Assumes an
advisory, a coordinating and administrative role which also includes the
provision of technical support and follow-up of residents prior to during
and after completion of OMSB Program of training. He or she will also work
closely with the Director of Scholarship and training and Director of
Continuing Educational for certain educational matters relating to medical
and Dental staff. He will report to the Director General.
Liaises
with OMSB Program coordinators and Chairmen of Medical Specialty Committees
to coordinate and follow-up of residents in training with particular
reference to: -
?Ensuring upto date records of residents in training
?Residents not satisfying requirements during training
?Examinations passed by residents
?Quarterly, half yearly and yearly rotations of residents.
?Withdrawals, resignations, transfers of specialty
?Maintenance of upto date record of residents in training
Searches,
surveys and profiles opportunities and resources available for post-graduate
and specialty medical training overseas.
Provides
technical support and expertise in medical education for residents in
training and medical post-graduate scholars.
Provides
assistance and coordination of membership / professional bodies examinations
conducted in the Sultanate of Oman.
Advises and
updates the Director General of Education and Training on all matters
pertaining to medical education in general and residents and post-graduate
scholars in particular.
DIRECTORATE OF ADMINISTRATION & FINANCE
Introduction
The directorate coordinates, supports and processes all
issues pertaining to administrative and financial affairs in DGET. It is
headed by the director of administration and finance assisted by two heads
of sections for administration and finance respectively and a network
administrator.
The director reports and is accountable to the Director
General and liaises with his counterparts in DGET and the training
institutes.
General functions/duties in the Dept of Administration
and Finance
Prepare staff budget (Faculty & Admn.) for HQ,
DG and Health Institutes.
Prepare full study of requirement for HQ, DG
and Health Institutes regarding stationary, office/hostel/education
furniture, maintenance/cleaning contracts, any other which can make
the work run smoothly.
Need of Health Institute from hostel,
transportation and boarding supervisor etc.
Prepare economical studies about the basic/post
basic programme whether to be conducted internally or send student
abroad or make agreement with known university to run for the
programmes locally.
Coordinate between the Institute regarding all
matter to staff such as organizing annual leave and emergency leave,
renew of short term staff agreement.
Processes invoices of the students on
scholarships and forward the cheques to the universities and
coordinate with all of our Cultural Attaché abroad.
Arrange transportation and accommodation for
visitors and guest attending continuous education, workshop,
seminars and transportation for DG staff for local duty travel in
coordination with concerned staff in DGAA.
Administration Section
Provide adequate type, number of staff and grades for each Institute after discussion with the concerned Dean’s and coordinating with Personnel Dept in HQ.
Coordinate with the concerned Dean’s and Director of Administration in the Institute concerning leave for faculty and administration staff taking proper steps at coordinating with concerned in HQ.
Preparing complete study of the requirement of Hostel and periodic maintenance.
Preparing complete study of the requirement of transportation (bus) for hostel students and for practical during office hours.
Follow up plan for maintenance of the Institute and liaise with maintenance Dept at DGEA.
Prepare study of requirement of DG, HQ and Institutes regarding stationary, furniture, equipment, computer and other items.
Annual study of entitlement for Oman Charity Organization (OCO) donation for eligible students.
Coordinate with concerned persons in Dept of Administrative Services providing transportation for DGET staff local duty travel, transportation, accommodation, and visa for guest speaker attending workshops, seminar etc.
General study of all contracts relating to HQ, DG and Institutes i.e., cleaning, maintenance, multimedia and catering.
Finance Section
Prepare budget requirement for Director General,and Health Institutes.
Record LPO and follow-up the invoice with the concerned contractors.
Handling of petty cash and re-imbursement of invoices.
Follow-up the invoice of students on scholarship.
Study the financial statements received from the Cultural Attaché and Universities.
Analysis financial information and studies.
Co-ordinate with Section Head of Finance of all Institutes concerning financial issues.
Co-ordinate with concerned in Dept of Revenue & Expenditure, Dept of Budget & General Accounts in MOH and Ministry of Health concerning financial issues.
Co-ordinate with the Universities local and international regarding the tuition or other financial issues relating to students on scholarship.
Co-ordinate with Cultural Attachés abroad.
Prepare the study of incentive end of every semester for staff from Ministry or any other Government sector who have taken part in teaching subject in the Institute where we do not require full time teacher.
Supervise budget for continuous education and processing the invoice related to seminar and workshop for all Institutes.
IT Section
Maintaining
and supporting network connections in DGET and Ministry of Health
training institutes located in Wattayah.
Trouble
shooting and resolving all network and computer related problems
Coordinating
and liaising with the ITA and DGIT, Ministry of Health on all issues
pertaining to E-Governance system
Providing
technical support to individual institutes in setting up Intranet
services
Monitoring
of the Antivirus Server ensuring corrective measures are taken to update
the security software for both server and PCs
Assisting in
formulation and implementation of policies and guidlines for users on
how to use e-mail, internet, local area networks etc.
Managing IP
address and Admin-User Login/Password
Installing
all computer related equipment as well as evaluating the need and
recommending for upgrades/replacement of current hardware/software
Coordinating
and follow up with the Computer Department, DGIT with regard to all
computer/network related issues, which includes but not limited to
repair/replacement/upgrading and request for new computer equipment
DIRECTORATE OF TRAINING & SCHOLARSHIP
Introduction
The directorate of training & scholarship is the central department in MOH which is responsible for national & international training courses, and scholarship for the different disciplines in the ministry. The department is responsible for receiving applications and then refers them to the MoH committee for scholarship, fellowship and training which is chaired by H.E. Undersecretary for Planning Affairs & membership of a number of DGs & Consultants. The directorate & the committee base their processes and decisions on the following:
Royal decree 83/2002 and its regulation on scholarships & fellowships,
The civil service law issued by royal decree 120/2004 and its guidelines & regulations on scholarships, fellowships and training.
MoH Guidelines and regulations on scholarships, fellowships and training issued by ministerial order 164/2006 (appendix 1).
The department is divided into 2 sections:
Training Section
Is responsible for preparing a training plan based on the identified needs in coordination with Directorate Generals & Hospital around the country & H.E. Undersecretary for Planning Affairs office.
Present the training plan to the committee for discussion for the final approval.
The section analyzes the evaluation forms after training and submits a report and recommendation the committee.
Scholarship Section
Responsible for the scholarship and fellowship processes.
Complete the required documentations for the applicants and prepare a proposal list to present it to the committee.
After approval the section seek the approvals from the Ministry of higher education and civil services for the candidates.
Communicate with the colleges and universities in the country or abroad
Monitor students progress during the scholarship period
Selection criteria for scholarship & fellowships are based on three steps:
Sorting (based on the completion of required documents by applicants as per the advertisements)
Preliminary selection (based on the local committees)
Final selection (the decision take by MoH committee for scholarship, fellowship and training)
This directorate came into being following the recent restructuring of the organizational framework of the Directorate General of Education and Training. It consists of three sections, two of which are responsible for coordinating continuing education for medical and technical, (inclusive of all health professions) and administration and finance staff respectively. The third provides library and learning resources support services to the programme.
MISSION STATEMENT
To serve as the central focal point for continuing education in the Ministry of Health, and to ensure that all physicians, nurses and other professionals (including administrative personnel) engaged in health care delivery or in supporting it are enabled to provide quality care to patients, through continuously updating their knowledge, skills and attitudes in their relevant fields of practice.
PHILOSOPHY
The Ministry of Health believes that:
Continuing development of knowledge and a range of skills for its health personnel is essential for promoting the health of the well population as well as providing effective and comprehensive care to the sick person.
A well informed health personnel would utilize the best ideas and techniques, respond to fresh demands, resulting from new technology, be immediately receptive to new learning, understanding and master new skills.
Individual health personnel should advance on merit as far as their skills and talents will take them and should be encouraged and rewarded for excellence and innovation.
The growth of the health care delivery system as an effective organization depends directly on the growth of the individuals who staff it and therefore, developmental needs of these individuals should be given priority to ensure that the 'right' persons with the 'right' initiatives are in the 'right' jobs.
GENERAL OBJECTIVES:
To assess training needs for various categories / specialties of staff in collaboration with the various category / specialty leaders.
To organize short and medium-duration national training programs, in collaboration with national and international experts, for specific target groups and on topics specially identified through training needs assessment around the country.
To assist hospitals and other health institution in developing their in-house CE activities.
To assist hospitals and other health institutions in developing their expertise in training as a discipline.
To assist hospitals and other health institutions in developing teaching / learning materials in different professions / specialties.
To assist hospitals and other health institutions in evaluating the impact of sustained training activities in specific fields.
To serve as a national resource center for practicing professionals, providing access to an up-to-date national health library containing latest books, journals and other publications including CD ROM, films and other multimedia products.
To develop, improve and implement a standard system of accreditation for CE activities in the country.
To undertake needed research for improving CE activities
The Directorate of Continuing Education operates under the following administrative structure.
THE DIRECTOR CONTINUING EDUCATION
Plans, organizes and manages the operational activities of the directorate.
Organizes and supervises the training of trainers programmes to develop programming skills of trainers in the regions.
Supervises and ensures effective implementation of continuing education initiatives in the regions.
Monitors and evaluates effectiveness of CPE programs in the regions.
Advises and provides regular feedback to the Director General on all issues pertaining to continuing education initiatives and their impact in the regions.
THE OFFICE COORDINATOR
Manages and provides support in clerical and office administrative activities of the directorate.
TRAINING SPECIALISTS
Training Specialist in Medical and Health Professions allied to Medicine Education
Training Specialist in Administration & Finance
The Training Specialists of the above-mentioned are responsible for the following Continuing Education activities in their respective sections:
Assist in searching, surveying and profiling learning needs and opportunities.
Facilitate the training of trainers at regional and national levels.
Assist in supervising and follow up of CE initiatives and assessing the impact of CE in the regions.
Coordinate and contribute to the development and distribution of a unified 'Continuing Education Newsletter.
Assist in coordinating and following-up of CE activities.
Assist in determining the impact of CE activities in their respective areas of responsibilities.
Coordinate the compilation, production and distribution of calendar of events organized by or in conjunction with the directorate.
Contribute to research initiatives on continuing education.
iii. Library and Learning Resources Specialist
The Library and Learning Resources Specialist
Initiates and maintains up to date library and learning resource unit.
Trains potential Omani recruits for servicing library units in the regions
Searches, maintains and distributes evidence-based literature pertaining to CE.
Coordinates, advises on acquisition and procurement and requisition of all educational learning resources e.g. index / house reference texts, journals, master copies of video cassettes, CD Roms etc for use by the directorate.
Maintains online databases on teaching and learning resources materials and links to online databases at other regional health institutions.
Provides advisory services to the regions for developing and maintaining up to date local learning resource facilities.
Develops and maintains the National Library of Medicine Classification and other systems pertaining to circulation, security, withdrawal and disposal of library materials.
Initiates and maintains automation of library systems to provide easy access to information resources with possible linkages to other health science libraries.
Develops and maintains inter-library cooperation both national and international and create a network of libraries to reduce dependence on loans.
INSTRUCTIONAL DEVELOPER
The incumbent
Provides consultancy support services on instructional development for the trainers in the regions.
Plans, organizes and delivers training of trainers programme in conjunction with significant others.
Initiates and manages the mechanism of assessing programming skills of trainers.
Conducts periodic evaluation of the effectiveness and impact of the training of trainers program.
Develops a training manual on instructional development for the regions and promote effective delivery of CE initiatives in the regions.
Contributes to research initiatives on continuing education.
COMPUTER PROGRAMMER
The incumbent
Develops and maintains databases for the operational activities of the directorate.
Contributes to the development of skills of trainers in e-learning strategies.
Assists the instructional developer in designing and producing programmed learning software packages to promote and support self-directed learning initiatives.
Develops and maintains a computerized networking system for sharing and disseminating learning resources within the health delivery system in the Ministry of Health.
The National Advisory Committee on Continuing Education (NACCE)
Each region will form its own Regional Continuing Education Committee supported by a number of other sub-committees. The RCEC will report to the National Advisory Committee on Continuing Education (MOH) which will also serve as a policy making body. The NACCE (MOH) will be chaired by H.E. the Undersecretary for Planning and deputized by the Director General of Education and Training.
Terms of References:
To be responsible for the development of the Ministry's CE policy and plans and the overall functioning of CE under MOH.
To be responsible for formulating and overseeing implementation of a strategic plan for the development of continuing education under MOH.
To be responsible for ensuring improvement of the quality and content of the CE activities and its impact on health services through its leadership, resource generation and stewardship of CE under MOH.
To approve policy directions of DCE and its work plan and consider its budget proposal for recommending it to MOH.
The membership of this Committee consists of the following members:
H.E. the Undersecretary for Planning (Chairman).
The Director General of Education and Training (Deputy Chairman).
The Director of Continuing Education - DGET.
Head of Continuing Education, Royal Hospital and Staff Development/CE Coordinator of an autonomous regional hospital (selected on 2-yearly rotation).
2 representatives from the health teaching institutions, nursing 1, health sciences 1.
1 Senior consultant (Physician)
Director of Nursing Affairs (MOH)
Additional members may be incorporated either on official or ex-officio basis, subject to CEAC decision.
In order to build its human resource capacity in nursing and allied health professions, the Ministry of Health has established its own institutes. The main institutes offering a comprehensive range of specialist both at basic and post basic programmes are located in the capital city, Muscat at the Wattayah campus. Wattayah Campus is home to the following Institutes
Institute of Health Sciences (IHS)
Muscat Nursing Institute (MNI)
Oman Assistant Pharmacy Institute (OAPI)
Oman Institute of Public Health (OIPH)
Oman Medical Record Institute (OMRI)
Oman Nursing Institute (ONI)
Oman Specialized Nursing Institute (OSNI)
There are another 9 Regional Nursing Institutes located in regions throughout the Sultanate. The institutes are the centre of professional achievement and excellence in their respective disciplines and unite to revolutionize professional attitudes, skills and knowledge to produce an informed and reflective practitioner. The Regional Nursing Institutes are as following:
Al Dakhiliya Nursing Institute
Al Dhahira Nursing Institute
Ibra Nursing Institute
Nizwa Nursing Institute
North Batinah Nursing Institute
Rustaq Nursing Institute
Salalah Nursing Institute
Sohar Nursing Institute
Sur Nursing Institute
Within the milieu of a diverse range of programmes all institutes retain their unique but distinctive characteristics to train health personnel in their respective
specialties.
