Omani lecturer wins French Order of Academic Palms

Muscat: Hassan Mohamed Al Ramdhani, a lecturer of French at the Oman Tourism College (OTC), has won the French Order of Academic Palms, awarded by the French Prime Minister to those, who provide significant academic contributions to the French Language.
Al Ramdhani, the first Omani to win this order, was recently honoured during a celebration held at the French Embassy in Muscat for this purpose.
In this regard, Al Ramdhani said: “The nomination for winning the order is made by the French Embassy that chooses a prominent person for his contributions to the French language. The Embassy submits a report to the concerned entities in Paris. After the report is being reviewed, a shortlist of candidates nominated for winning the French Order of Academic Palms is prepared. Finally, the winner receives the coveted award during a recognition ceremony. This year, I was caught by surprise when I was notified that I have been chosen to be the first Omani to be conferred the Honorary Officer of the Order that is granted by the French Prime Minister, along with an official certificate signed by him.”
“The evaluation process for the would be winner of the order is made on the basis of his contributions to the French Language, his awareness about French culture, and his assistance in conveying it. This recognition is well known and has been applicable since 1808 during the reign of Napoleon Bonaparte when university professors of the French empire were honoured. The Order was amended to appear in its current form in 1955 during the rule of the then French president René Coty,” he added.
“This Order and recognition place a great responsibility on my shoulders on the academic level, and I am proud of it as an Omani and GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries national. It is an achievement that goes to the credit of the Sultanate and Oman Tourism College, particularly in light of the fact that such an order is the top of its kind in the academic field,” Al Ramdhani stated.
It is worth noting that OTC has two sections that teach the French and German languages. The college pays great attention to making students specialise in French or German, along with the English. In this context, a student is trained to communicate with tourists, so that he or she is able to provide them with all the information in French, and reply to their inquiries. In addition, all that is related to tourism is taught in French.
Al Ramdhani began his path with learning French at the beginning of the 19th century as a language student. He has made many trips to France to study French there. Furthermore, he has taken many courses in French. Al Ramdhani was also appointed as a French teacher and an Arabic teacher for non-native speakers at the French Embassy in Muscat.
After that, he assumed the position of an Assistant Commercial Attaché there. Finally, he chose to work as a lecturer and has been at his current position at OTC since 2007.