IELTS Middle East Examinations Manager on visit to Sohar University

Mr David Hopkinson, Regional Examinations Manager, Middle East paid an official visit to Sohar University last Wednesday, April 24, 2010, “to follow up from nearby IELTS administration center at SU”, IELTS administrator at Sohar University, Mr Yazan Najeeb said.
In a press conference presided by the University Vice Chancellor Dr Abood Al Sawafi, Mr Hopkinson, Mr Deep Adhikari, Examinations Services Manager, Oman and Mr Yazan Najeeb, IELTS Administrator, Sohar University, Mr Hopkinson emphasized the increasing popularity of IELTS the world over. Even the US education market, he added, proves good illustration of this success “with the announcement last year that more than 2,000 US Academic Institutions – including the Ivy League Schools – use the test for admissions purposes”. All along the check up IELTS Managers are ensuring, this visit to Sohar University comes within the context of “celebrating over two decades of growth”, Mr Hopkinson said.
In addition, Mr Hopkinson added, IELTS is now one of the approved English language tests used by the UK Border Agency to test highly skilled and skilled migrants who are coming to work in the UK and need to prove their English language ability as part of the Government s new Points -based –system for immigration. Another proof to the success of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS)is that it has become a requirement for entry into almost all higher education institutions in Australia, UK, Ireland, New Zealand and most of Middle East countries.
In an answer to questions from Student journalists at Sohar University about difficulties faced in administering IELTS at Sohar University, Dr Abood Al Sawafi and Mr Yazan Najeeb replied that IELTS examinations are successfully held at SU respecting international norms. “IELTS certificates issued at SU are nationally and internationally renowned”, Middle East Examinations Manager also highlighted.
It is worth noting that at the end IELTS Managers expressed their willingness to cooperate with Sohar University on matters ranging from resource materials to teaching and offering courses to the general public.