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
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