AHEAD OF THE FIELD
His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has always made education a priority for the citizens of Oman, and the Sultan Qaboos University is leading the field in education and research.
Education in Oman has evolved rapidly over the past few decades. Around 45 years ago, the Sultanate had but one school and was devoid of universities. When His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said rose to power in 1970, he wanted education to be the focal point of his reign. Today, Oman has almost 1,300 schools, a public university that bears the Sultan's name, and several private universities. Thus, in line with His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said's vision, education is pullulating in the Sultanate.
At the forefront of this educational awakening has been the prestigious Sultan Qaboos University. Recently, it has experienced a boom in research on different subjects in a wide variety of fields. According to Dr. Ali Saud Al-Bemani, Vice-Chancellor of Sultan Qaboos University, “the main fields of research are medical and engineering."
One particular area of focus in engineering is enhanced oil recovery (EOR), which is key to the Sultanate's vital oil and gas industry. Professor Saif Al-Bahry of the University's Biology department points out that the department is “exploring the biotechnological possibility of using microbial enhanced oil recovery [MEOR], which is considerably more environmentally friendly, cheaper, and safer." According to Professor Al-Bahry, “this is believed to be the future technology of EOR." The university is currently on the road toward becoming an “internationally recognized establishment in providing solutions related to oil industries using biotechnological techniques."
In the medical research field, Sultan Qaboos University is at the forefront of advanced research on autism in Oman by leading the nation in conducting research on the condition. Dr. Yahya M. Al Farsi, Assistant Dean for Training and Community Service of the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, explains that the university “created the first registry of children with autism." In addition, the university has collaborated with the Ministry of Social Development on a common strategy to help poor families that do not have the resources to acquire the necessary aid for their children diagnosed with autism. As a result of the research conducted in Sultan Qaboos University, the government has decided to establish state-of-the-art centers for autism in several new clinics.
The relationship between research and education is symbiotic, and the government tries to foster research through strengthening education. To that end, the College of Education at Sultan Qaboos University is fully committed to preparing new teachers, and ensuring they are kept up to date with all the latest techniques. The College is currently going through the accreditation process of the US based National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. This process should be completed in 2016, and will assure that graduates of the College of Education are internationally recognized. The Dean of the College, Professor Thuwayba Ahmed Al Barwani, emphasizes that his “number one focus as Dean has been to develop more strategic research. Thus, five or six research proposals are funded annually by the university's internal grants. To encourage research, the college holds brain-storming sessions for researchers to share ideas." Al Barwani is proud of the unprecedented amount of collaborative research that is currently being undertaken at Sultan Qaboos University. And such research and the added value it can bring to the country bode well for all Omanis.
AHEAD OF THE FIELD
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Interview
HE Yusuf Bin Alawi Bin Abdullah, Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs, Sultanate of Oman
TBY talks to HE Yusuf Bin Alawi Bin Abdullah, Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman, on the skillful use of diplomacy to promote peace and security throughout the region and beyond.
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His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Brunei Darussalam
TBY talks to His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Brunei Darussalam, on the close ties his nation has with the Sultanate of Oman, and the potential for joint investments.
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HE Seán Sherlock, Minister of State Development, Trade Promotion, & North-South Co-operation, Republic of Ireland
TBY talks to HE Seán Sherlock, Minister of State Development, Trade Promotion, & North-South Co-operation of Ireland, on bilateral agreements, investment opportunities, and relations between the two states.
read articleInterview
HE Dr. Mohammad Bin Al Zubair, Advisor to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said for Economic Planning Affairs, Sultanate of Oman
TBY talks to HE Dr. Mohammad Bin Al Zubair, Advisor to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said for Economic Planning Affairs, on economic diversification, Omanization, and SMEs.
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Hilal bin Hamad Al Hasani, CEO, Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (PEIE)
TBY talks to Hilal bin Hamad Al Hasani, CEO of the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (PEIE), on attracting investment, supporting local development, and establishing new opportunities.
read articleInterview
HE Said bin Hamdoon bin Saif Al Harthy, Undersecretary, Ports and Maritime Affairs
TBY talks to HE Said bin Hamdoon bin Saif Al Harthy, Undersecretary of Ports and Maritime Affairs, on the important role that the Sultanate's maritime industry is playing in promoting trade and economic activity.
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HE Yahya Said Abdullah Al Jabri, Chairman, Special Economic Zone Authority at Duqm (SEZAD)
TBY talks to HE Yahya Said Abdullah Al Jabri, Chairman of the Special Economic Zone Authority at Duqm (SEZAD), on the rise of the Duqm area, and the opportunities on offer for investors and businesses.
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HE Didier Reynders, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, European Affairs
TBY talks to HE Didier Reynders, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, and European Affairs of Belgium, on bilateral relations and maritime cooperation between the two states.
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Dr. Fuad Jaffer Al Sajwani, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Wealth, Sultanate of Oman
TBY talks to Dr. Fuad Jaffer Al Sajwani, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Wealth, on the sector's role in diversification, encouraging international investment, and ensuring stable prices.
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HE Hamed Said Al-Oufi, Undersecretary of Fisheries Wealth, Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries Wealth
TBY talks to HE Hamed Said Al-Oufi, Undersecretary of Fisheries Wealth at the Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries Wealth, on the role fisheries wealth can play in diversification and boosting the sector through technology.
read articleInterview
HE Dr. Rashid Bin Salim Al-Masroori, Executive President, Public Authority for Stores and Food Reserve
TBY talks to HE Dr. Rashid Bin Salim Al-Masroori, Executive President of the Public Authority for Stores and Food Reserve (PASFR), on the drive to ensure food security and boost local production in key sectors.
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