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Prof. Faour and the accompanying delegation at SQU |
Since part of DU’s mission and vision
is reaching out and building links by sharing
information, expertise and visits with other
universities, Prof. Muhammad Faour, Vice Chancellor
of Dhofar University, paid visits to the three
universities in the Sultanate for a week between
the 3rd and 7th of November, 2007. The purpose
of his visits was to find means of cooperation
between DU and each of the three universities,
Sultan Qaboos University, Sohar University, and
Nizwa University.
The first visit was to Sultan Qaboos University,
where Prof. Faour was received by Dr. Saud bin
Nassir Al Riyami, President of SQU, who welcomed
him and his delegation and gave them a brief
presentation on SQU’s colleges, research
centers, academic achievements, the University
hospital and SQU’s international relationships
with other educational institutions. Dr. Al Riyami
explained that the main objective of their meeting
was to search for means of cooperation in the
scientific, academic and research fields, all
in the name of helping students to improve their
research skills. Since a university is
considered the center of experience when it comes
to scientific research and consultation, it is
of great importance for universities to exchange
experience and expertise. Following the presentation,
Prof. Faour and the delegation from Dhofar University
were taken on a tour around the University campus.
Prof. Faour then visited HE Dr. Jumaa bin Ali
bin Jumaa, the Minister of Manpower, in his office
on Sunday morning, the 4th of November, and was
welcomed and given a briefing about the latest
developments in technical education in Oman.
Prof. Faour pointed out that building strong
links with the Technical Colleges in the Sultanate
is necessary especially in the areas of Engineering,
Commerce and Technical Education, as well as
other areas related to both academic and cultural
fields. He then gave a brief presentation on
the development of Dhofar University and its
uniqueness in various specializations offered
in Arts, Science, Engineering and Commerce. He
also explained the work that the University is
doing this year towards applying for accreditation,
by undergoing a university-wide self study.
Following the visit to the Ministry of Manpower,
the delegation met with HE Saud bin Salim Al
Balushi, Under Secretary for Educational Planning & Human
Resources in the Ministry of Education. The Under-Secretary
expressed his appreciation to Prof. Faour, who
has shown through his visits that he is working
hard to build strong links with the Ministry
of Education. He then indicated that the Ministry
now has sufficient numbers of graduates in the
field of education, and therefore was changing
some of the majors and programs offered in the
former Colleges of Education, which have now
been changed to the Colleges of Applied Sciences
in the Sultanate, except for the Education College
of Rustaq, which has remained as it is.
Prof. Faour also paid a visit to Sohar University
where he was received by the President, Dr. Abood
Al Sawafi. Since it was his first visit to Sohar
University, it was a good chance for the two
heads to exchange experience and ideas about
running universities. Dr. Abood Al Sawafi
gave a brief presentation about SU, which is
affiliated to the Australian University of Queensland
and the Jordanian University of Mo’ta,
and its colleges, sections and university life.
Prof. Faour was then taken on a tour around the
University and said that he had been impressed
by the massive campus and its excellent facilities.
Nizwa University was the last stop on the tour
for Prof. Faour and his delegation. They were
welcomed by the President, Dr. Ahmed Khalfan
Al Rawahi in his office on the temporary campus,
who thanked Prof. Faour for his visit and gave
him a brief introduction about the establishment
of Nizwa University and the challenges it has
faced with the rapidly increasing number of students
and programs. Prof. Faour then opened discussions
about exchanging experience and establishing
scientific cooperation between the two universities.
It was agreed that they would maintain a strong
relationship through continuing cooperation and
regular exchange visits.
As he returned to Salalah, Prof. Faour stated
that these visits have affected his view about
the quick development that the higher education
providers in the Sultanate are experiencing.
He added that his meetings with the representatives
from the higher education sector, HE Dr. Jumaa
bin Ali Al Jumaa, Minister of Manpower, HE Saud
bin Salim Al Balushi, Deputy of the Ministry
of Education for Planning and HR Development,
Dr. Saud bin Nassir Al Riyami, President of SQU,
Mr. Ahmed Al Rawahi, President of Nizwa University
and Dr. Abood Al Sawafi, President of Suhar University
had inspired him to tackle the challenges at
Dhofar University with renewed vigor and enthusiasm,
and he looked forward to mutually beneficial
relations with all those he had visited. |
