The First Symposium on Free Source in Oman
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We are pleased to announce that ITA will held the first symposium on free software on the 9th of March 2010, the main objectives of the symposium is to shed the light on ITA national initiative to promote
This initiative comes as part of Information Technology Authority (ITA) strategic directions to play a neutral role towards promoting different technologies.
The symposium shall raise the awareness about the importance of free software because of its potential and competitive characteristics comparing with the commercial software.
The symposium will host a number of key speakers from different countries who will present different topics on issues related to free software movement and philosophy, Arab world initiatives towards promoting the use of free software at different levels and also the symposium will address the local needs to develop such industry in the Sultanate.
During the opening ceremony of the symposium ITA will sign a number of memorandums of understanding with Sultan Qaboos University, Nizwa University and Muscat Higher College of Technology to support the national initiative implementation.
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The previous is an internal circulation coming to you (after taking permission) directly from ITA internal website.
As many of you know this is the first symposium on free source , in fact this the first Government organized free source related event ever (as far as I know ). It is a great that the young Information Technology Authority (ITA) already exploring the Free Software as a way to implement eOman initiative. For me I will be eagerly waiting to meet Richard Stallman the founder of Free Software Foundation.
My second most exciting thing is ITA signing memorandums of understanding with the educational institutes. It seems that it will be the start of free source movement in Oman. If true, this will make the educational institutes into active and direct contributors to eOman vision through free software.
Check the event website : http://www.ita.gov.om/fss
Read MoreHow-to get a job (for graduates)?
In this (my first post) non-IT (sorry Ali) post I note what I think is the main things I used to get my IT job. I was actually surprise with the number of job opportunities I come across here in Oman. So, here it is…
Since I have graduated I have been doing interviews all over the place (9 until today): ministries, government agencies, government companies, to-be companies, dream-to-be companies, actual companies ..ext..ext .. For me it was interesting journey. Each interview (or test) was unique experience: a mix of meeting new people, testing my skills and Learning about myself! It is great opportunity to find what you are really after (if u haven’t decided yet). So what is it really employers are looking for? Well, first let us list the facts about them:
- They are humans with basic needs just like us. They need to feel love, security, excitement and joy! They want to be acknowledged and appreciated.
Dose any of this have anything to do with get them to hire me? Aren’t they looking for skills?
Explanation: This crab has nothing to do with neither you nor your skills. It is about them and their needs. They need to like you and be able to work with you.
- They need assurances that you will do the job.
! I have the bachelor degree aint that enough?
Explanation: We all have the degree, so what? What information they can get from it other than you spent X # of years in the Y collage. What really determine your capabilities is the projects you did, activities you involved in and the way you represent those!
- The presentation(interview) is important.
! I have skills; I have experience they should take me. But i was sick that day.
Explanation: they wouldn’t care if you ware sick that day! May be you are a nice guy but they actually don’t know that! It is very important to be in your optimal condition and do a flawless interview. That’s because employer have limited time and many candidates to choose from.
Hmmm,, ok that all I can remember right now. So, how to be ready for all this? How to drive them to give you interview anyway?!
- The Perfect CV.
Having very well written CV is a key element in job hunting process. CV is direct marketing tool for your skills and character. It contains everything that maters to employers: basic info about you, skills, experience and glimpse of your character. Make sure your CV contain skills match job requirements and contain the keywords employer is looking for. Writing a universally ‘perfect’ CV is impossible so, you have to adapt it for each job opportunity. (Change the structure and the words used for example.)
- Calling everyone!
Make sure that you: call employers for more information about jobs, do follow-up calls. Make sure that almost everyone you know (colleagues, friends, family, employers) knows that you in “job-hunt”. Sometimes opportunities come from unexpected people/organizations. For this, you have to keep in touch with everyone!
- Keep your eyes open!
Make sure that you watch for newspapers, job-search sites and major companies sites for new opportunities. For obvious reasons!
- Know what is going on!
Knowing what is going on around you is important. Make sure you know about major market events (even non IT) and new IT projects. Of course, you need to know what is going on in the IT field: new products, technologies and upcoming events. This can assist you to anticipate opportunities and be ready for them (by acquiring skills for example). Also, it improves your standing in interviews.
That’s all I can think of for now. So what do you think? 
