New public university and science and technology city planned

In a major effort to expand the scope of higher education and enhance access, Oman plans to set up a second public university. Also on the cards is a city of science and technology – to house the new university, a range of other education and research facilities, and branches of foreign universities.

Aiming to provide a dynamic environment for learning and research, the city development intends attracting investment in modern technologies by establishing institutions and research centres, as well as branches of internationally accredited universities planning to set up shop in the country.

The executive committee of the city project, chaired by Omani Minister of Higher Education Rawya Saud Al Busaidi, inspected progress on 25 September. The development is planned for the Al Fulaij area in the Wilayat of Barka.

A culture of research and development is new to the country. Oman’s research base is in its infancy, with very slow improvement in research and development activity, according to a 2012 report written for the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development and titled Entrepreneurship in Oman: A snapshot of the main challenges.

Out of 144 countries, Oman ranked 47th in innovation, 54th in technological readiness, 61st in higher education and training, 74th in quality of research institutions, 86th in quality of maths and science education, 54th in university-industry collaboration and 93rd in availability of scientists and engineers, according to the World Economic Forum’s 2012-13 Global Competitiveness Report.

It is precisely in order to tackle the country's poor performance in science that the new research-based university for science and technology is to be established. It will offer programmes at a high academic level, directly linked to development plans and national projects.

To be called Oman University, the new public institution will focus on promoting talent, boosting research on social, health and economic issues, and creating more opportunities for new graduates, along with producing a qualified workforce for the labour market.

The intention is to enrol more than 1,400 students every year, according to official sources in the Ministry of Higher Education.

Sultan Qaboos University is currently Oman’s top academic organisation and only public university. The country has seven private universities. The German University of Technology in Oman, established in collaboration with RWTH Aachen University, is the only German university on the Arabian Peninsula.

Speaking to University World News Nasir Ahmad Khan, head of the quality assurance department at Mazoon University College in Muscat, Oman, said: “The new science university will provide higher education opportunities to all sectors of society, and will empower Omani youth to become a productive element of society."

It would also widen access to higher education and cater for the increasing demands of the labour market, Khan said. And the new developments would help Oman to develop an integrated research strategy and increase its scientific expertise.

Abdallah Daar, a senior Omani scientist at the University of Toronto and chief science and ethics officer of Grand Challenges Canada – an organisation dedicated to “supporting bold ideas with big impact in global health” – also welcomed the new developments.

“This is a timely and visionary approach,” he told University World News.

“Oman has decided to move ‘aggressively’ in higher education and research. The new Oman University is needed to fill an important gap in public higher education; while the new science and technology city will add very significantly to improving research and development,” Daar concluded.