Dr. Subhi Saleh

Mr. Muawya Ahmed

Miss Susan Al Shahri

A regional symposium was held at the College of Education in Salalah from March 13-15, 2007, on ‘The Role of Human Resources Management in Enhancing Quality of Educational Institutions in the Gulf Countries’. It was the first symposium of its kind to be held in Salalah, and was held under the auspices of Sheikh Salim bin Mustahail Al Mashani, Adviser of the Diwan of the Royal Court. Guests from all over the Arab world attended the symposium and presented papers, giving their ideas on how to improve the management of human resources in the region, especially within institutions of higher education. Dhofar University’s Vice Chancellor attended the opening ceremony, accompanied by Deans of the Colleges, and Dr. Subhi Saleh, Head of the Department of Accounting and Finance at the College of Commerce and Business Administration, who was a member of the scientific committee that reviewed the papers. In addition, Dr. Subhi chaired one of the sessions during the conference. He said that he felt the papers discussed the most critical issues in Oman and in the Region as a whole concerning Human Resources Development and the role of institutions of higher education in responding to the labour market in accordance with the demands of Globalization to produce highly qualified labour. He stated, ‘The most important finding was that more communication, cooperation and integration is needed among institutions of higher education and the government and private sectors to bridge that gap and to find the most effective communication system to achieve the goals of human resources development. Overall, I think it was very fruitful and it is a beginning step towards a brighter future for the region.’

Another member of the faculty, Mr. Muawya Ahmed Hussein was on the committee that reviewed the applications for presenting papers, and gave a paper himself, entitled ‘Essence of Scientific Research in Arab Countries’. One of the graduating students from the College of Commerce and Business Administration, Susan Al Shahri also attended the three days of the conference, and said that she had gained a lot of useful, practical experience from attending the sessions at the conference, and had also made many useful contacts, both for herself and the University. She was advised by Dr. Subhi to present a paper on research that she had conducted at the university in the area of job satisfaction; however, this being her first time at a conference, she preferred to observe and participate in the discussions instead of actually presenting a paper, and she looks forward to becoming an active researcher in the future.