Oman's higher education institutions make mark in world rankings
Sultan Qaboos University achieved significant progress, climbing 28 spots to secure the 334th position globally. The University of Nizwa ranked within the 770–761 bracket, while Dhofar University was placed in the 900–851 range. Sohar University entered the rankings within the 1000–951 category, and GUtech was positioned between 1200–1001.
This performance reflects the steady advancement of Oman's academic and research infrastructure, as reported by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), the UK-based global higher education analyst, on its official 2026 rankings website.
Dr Maryam al Nabhani, Director-General of Private Universities and Colleges at the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, stated that the QS rankings are among the most prestigious global benchmarks for higher education institutions.
She noted that Oman Vision 2040 includes a strategic objective for national universities to break into the global academic elite, with an emphasis on placing four Omani universities among the world's top 500 in QS rankings.
She explained that the QS methodology evaluates universities based on key indicators, including academic reputation (assessed through expert surveys on teaching and research quality), employer reputation (measuring graduate employability), and faculty-to-student ratios (reflecting educational quality).
Research impact is gauged through citation metrics, while international faculty and student ratios demonstrate institutional diversity and global appeal.
Dr Maryam al Nabhani, Director-General of Private Universities and Colleges at the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation
Additional metrics encompass sustainability performance, contributions to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), graduate employment outcomes and international research collaboration networks.
Dr Maryam emphasised that these results reflect Oman's national efforts to enhance academic competitiveness in line with Oman Vision 2040. They also underscore the continuous progress of Omani higher education institutions in elevating academic standards and strengthening their global presence.
HH Sayyid Dr Fahd bin Al Julanda al Said, Vice-Chancellor of SQU, stated that 'this achievement is a reflection of reality and the result of dedicated efforts and continuous commitment to making Sultan Qaboos University among the best globally in various fields. It also embodies the leadership we aspire to in order to enhance the quality of education. Furthermore, it fulfils one of the key objectives of Oman Vision 2040, which includes, among its indicators, the goal of having at least one Omani university ranked among the top 300 universities worldwide by the year 2040. We hope to continue this dedication and progress towards achieving these goals for the benefit of the university and its members.' - ONA
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
2 days ago
- Observer
'Significant declines' in some species after deep-sea mining: research
Deep-sea mining could impact marine life stretching from the tiniest bottom dwellers to apex predators like swordfish and sharks, a major piece of industry-funded research found Thursday. The Metals Company -- a leading deep-sea mining firm -- paid Australia's government science agency to pore through data collected during test mining in the remote Pacific Ocean. Huge tracts of Pacific Ocean seabed are carpeted in polymetallic nodules, bulbous lumps of rock that are rich in metals used in battery production -- such as cobalt and nickel. The Metals Company is pushing to be the first to mine these nodules in international waters, striving to exploit a remote expanse known as the Clarion-Clipperton Zone. Australia's government science agency released a series of technical reports on Thursday detailing how mining could be managed. Bottom-dwellers such as sea cucumbers, marine worms, starfish and crustaceans could see "significant declines in abundance immediately following mining", research found. Some of these species would partially bounce back within a year, but filter feeders and other tiny organisms that feast on seabed sediments showed "minimal recovery". "On the seafloor, our research shows that there are substantial local impacts from different mining operations," scientist Piers Dunstan said during a briefing. Deep-sea mining companies are still figuring out the best way to retrieve nodules that can lie five kilometres (three miles) or more beneath the waves. Most efforts focus on robotic harvesting machines, or crawlers, which hoover up nodules as they rove the ocean floor. The Australian scientists looked at how sharks and fish might be harmed by plumes of sediment discharged as mining waste. In some scenarios, apex predators could see toxic metals start to build up in their blood after prolonged exposure to these plumes. "Long-lived top predators, such as swordfish and large sharks, accumulated the highest simulated metal concentrations," scientists noted in one report. Simulations showed blood metal concentrations would not exceed international health guidelines, and impacts were less pronounced if sediment was discharged at a greater depth. "This project helps ensure that if deep-sea mining were to go ahead, there is a clear approach to understand potential risks and impacts to marine life and ecosystems," Dunstan said. Canada-based The Metals Company is striving to start industrial deep-sea mining in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone within the next two years. The International Seabed Authority -- which oversees deep-sea mining in international waters -- has yet to adopt long-awaited rules governing the industry. The Metals Company has indicated it could forge ahead even without the authority's approval, pointing to an obscure US law that says American citizens can recover seabed minerals in areas beyond the nation's jurisdiction. The firm paid Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation -- or CSIRO -- around US$1 million to compile the reports. CSIRO stressed it was not for, or against, deep-sea mining -- but that its work would help to measure and monitor impacts should it go ahead. Energy transition expert Tina Soliman-Hunter said it was one of the "most comprehensive" pieces of research on deep-sea mining to date. "Without such research, there is a risk of harm from mining activities that can persist for generations," said Soliman-Hunter, from Australia's Macquarie University. Found in international waters between Mexico and Hawaii, the Clarion-Clipperton Zone is a vast abyssal plain spanning some 4 million square kilometres (1.7 million square miles). sft/djw/dhc
Observer
3 days ago
- Observer
Oman: an ideal platform for space launches
Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman boasts an ideal location for space vehicle launches, with its proximity to the equator reducing fuel consumption for spacecraft as they launch in alignment with Earth's rotation. Oman's coastal launch sites overlooking the Indian Ocean and distance from populated areas have attracted international space companies seeking optimal launch locations. HH Sayyid Azzan Qais al Said, Founder and CEO of the National Aerospace Services Company "NASCOM" and "Etlaq" Spaceport, stated that " Etlaq " pioneered the first Middle Eastern space launch with "Duqm-1," marking Oman's inaugural step toward becoming a global space access hub. The 18-degree latitude spaceport enables multi-orbit launches, including equatorial, sun-synchronous, polar, medium Earth, and geostationary orbits. HH Sayyid Azzan revealed that Etlaq's master plan will be operational by 2027, with its Formation Program enabling experimental launches within 14 weeks of planning since 2024. The program focuses on Omani workforce development in advanced space specialties, with current expansion including a second launch pad for experimental missions and a spacecraft assembly facility. Dr Saud Hamid al Shukaili, Director General of Policies & Governance and Head of the National Space Program at the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology emphasized that Oman's space launch project aims to attract global space investments while building national capabilities in spacecraft engineering, supporting Oman Vision 2040. Furthermore, a representative at Stellar Kinetics stated that the upcoming mission will be the inaugural launch of the KEA-1 vehicle, offering a unique opportunity to test orbital class systems such as stage separation mechanisms and active guidance under unprecedented mission also aims to achieve microgravity conditions to support university-led research via two onboard scientific payloads developed by international partners.
Observer
5 days ago
- Observer
National project highlights Oman's intellectual heritage
MUSCAT: The documentation and preservation of rare Omani manuscripts stand as one of the most significant national projects showcasing Oman's intellectual heritage. These manuscripts hold a rich cultural treasure that revives the history of ancestors and chronicles the stories that shaped Oman's identity and ancient legacy across different eras. Nasr bin Nasser al Busaidy, Head of the Documentation and Inventory Department at the Directorate of Manuscripts in the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, emphasised that the preservation, printing and dissemination of Omani manuscripts are among the most vital national projects highlighting Oman's intellectual heritage. "This effort is not confined to Oman's borders but extends worldwide," he said. He noted that several influential Omani figures have been recognised by Unesco, including the linguist Al Khalil bin Ahmad al Farahidi (inscribed in 2005) and the physician and pharmacist Rashid bin Umaira al Rustaqi (inscribed in 2013). Al Busaidy explained that the manuscript preservation process at the ministry's Directorate of Manuscripts is meticulous and labour-intensive, aiming to restore the original text as written by authors centuries ago. Manuscripts undergo multiple stages before being fully documented: upon receipt, they are sterilised to protect handlers from potential hazards caused by fungi, age and humidity. They are then manually restored, reinforced, catalogued and digitally scanned to prevent loss. Digital copies facilitate access for researchers while the originals are stored in specialised climate-controlled archives to ensure long-term preservation, he pointed out. He stressed that Oman's intellectual heritage must be safeguarded for future generations. With advanced technology, the directorate has successfully documented and published a vast number of manuscripts and encouraged researchers to contribute. The ministry adopts qualifying works for publication based on the manuscript's significance and the quality of its documentation. Since the directorate's establishment in 1976, nearly 400 titles have been published, and over 6,000 manuscripts across various fields have been archived, he noted. - ONA
