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Observer
25-05-2025
- Business
- Observer
Omani-Saudi forum explores ways to enhance knowledge cooperation
Muscat: The Omani-Saudi Knowledge Dialogue Forum commenced in Muscat, organised by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation in collaboration with the Saudi Council of University Affairs. The forum's opening ceremony was held under the auspices of Dr Rahma bint Ibrahim al Mahrouqiyah, Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation (MoHERI). It serves as a strategic platform to enhance knowledge cooperation and expertise exchange between the two brotherly countries. The forum aims to establish partnerships between higher education institutions in Oman and their counterparts in Saudi Arabia, strengthen scientific research collaboration through joint research programmes and researcher exchanges, promote student and academic exchanges, and encourage the establishment of research and development centres. Dr Maryam al Nabhani, Director-General of Private Universities and Colleges, emphasised the forum's importance, stating: "This forum builds on the longstanding fraternal relations between Oman and Saudi Arabia and serves as a strategic platform to foster academic cooperation and the exchange of expertise. It aims to support institutional twinning between universities in both countries, enhance joint research programmes, promote academic and student exchange, and encourage the establishment of research and development centres." She added that the forum will focus on key topics such as entrepreneurial universities in the Gulf, the role of the Fourth and Fifth Industrial Revolutions in shaping smart campuses, and mechanisms for boosting research and innovation cooperation. Additionally, the forum seeks to boost joint investments in education, scientific research and innovation while activating communication channels between intellectual, educational, and research institutions. These efforts contribute to supporting the objectives of Oman Vision 2040 and Saudi Vision 2030. From the Saudi side, Dr Bassam bin Abdullah al Bassam, Secretary-General, Council of Universities' Affairs, extended his gratitude to Oman for hosting the forum. "This forum is a testament to the strong fraternal ties between our two countries and serves as a catalyst for academic cooperation and knowledge exchange among educational institutions. It provides a valuable opportunity to share experiences and elevate the quality of education across the GCC," he stated. He added that institutions of higher learning are vital hubs for knowledge production, innovation, and talent development, playing a central role in addressing national and global challenges. "This meeting is an essential step toward deeper academic and research collaboration and will pave the way for future joint initiatives," he said. Dr Al Bassam urged participants to make the most of this opportunity by establishing strong networks that support ongoing cooperation and contribute to national development goals. The forum is expected to produce actionable recommendations to support the development of entrepreneurial universities that are integrated with public and private sectors. Discussions will also explore curriculum development, academic accreditation, technical education and open learning. A particular emphasis will be placed on increasing Gulf visibility in international academic conferences and promoting co-authored research publications. The event includes several dialogue sessions focusing on challenges and opportunities in building leading universities in GCC countries, highlighting the role of the Fourth and Fifth Industrial Revolutions in supporting education, learning, and smart campuses, as well as cooperation in scientific research and innovation. The forum features participation from nearly 70 Saudi universities, several research centres, and all public and private higher education institutions in Oman.
Muscat Daily
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Muscat Daily
Oman to host Omani-Saudi Knowledge Dialogue Forum
Muscat – The Sultanate of Oman is set to host the Omani-Saudi Knowledge Dialogue Forum this Sunday, marking a major step forward in academic and research collaboration between the two neighbouring nations. The two-day forum is being organised by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation in cooperation with the Council of University Affairs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Speaking ahead of the event, Dr Maryam bint Balarab al Nabhani, Director General of Private Universities and Colleges at the Ministry, underscored the forum's role as a strategic platform to deepen knowledge cooperation and the exchange of expertise between Oman and Saudi Arabia. Dr Nabhani emphasised the importance of twinning higher education institutions in both countries, promoting joint research initiatives, facilitating student and academic exchanges, and encouraging the establishment of research and development centres. The forum will also promote joint investment in education, scientific research, and innovation. She noted that the event supports the broader national development goals outlined in both Oman Vision 2040 and Saudi Vision 2030, by enhancing collaboration between intellectual, educational, and research institutions. The forum will gather a distinguished group of academics, researchers, and policymakers from both nations to exchange ideas and explore opportunities for stronger knowledge partnerships. It will feature a series of dialogue sessions covering a wide range of themes, including the challenges and opportunities in building pioneering universities in the Arabian Gulf, and the impact of the Fourth and Fifth Industrial Revolutions on education, smart campuses, and innovation. An estimated 70 Saudi universities, along with multiple research centres and all public and private higher education institutions in Oman, are expected to participate in the event.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Blue city's Democratic committee prints thousands of 'red cards' urging immigrants to know their rights
Democrats in one Massachusetts city have purchased thousands of red cards intended to remind immigrants of their constitutional rights if approached by ICE or related agencies. The Medford City Democratic Committee, based about six miles northwest of Boston, has already bought 4,000 cards, intended for use by citizens and noncitizens alike. The cards list their Fourth and Fifth Amendment rights: protecting them from warrantless searches, seizures, and having to speak to authorities without legal counsel. They are printed in English on one side, with translations in Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic and Haitian on the other, Medford City Councilor Matthew Leming notes on the committee's website. Republican Lawmakers Seek To Strip District Of Columbia Of Its Sanctuary City Policies Four-thousand more cards have also been approved for purchase, he said, writing, "Red cards are like helpful business cards that a holder can hand to an officer if they approach in public." Read On The Fox News App The cost of the initiative was $826, according to WFXT, a Boston FOX affiliate. Leming told Fox News Digital that taxpayer funds are not being used to subsidize the program. Rather, he said, the Democratic City Committee footed the bill. "We're just trying to find things we can do that are feasible to resist what's happening at the federal level," Leming told WFXT. "It's a way to protect our immigrant communities from the actions of the current administration." Trump Signs Executive Order Cracking Down On 'Sanctuary' Cities, Threatens Their Federal Funding "The cards list basic constitutional protections that apply to everybody, and everybody in the U.S. should be aware of their constitutional rights," he further noted when asked by Fox News Digital. The legal complexities of such an initiative are apparent — and whether constitutional rights apply to illegal immigrants can be a hot point of debate among legal scholars. Leming hopes to take the initiative even further. "What we're trying to do is find nonprofits who would be willing to sign up and give us a receipt for finance purposes so we can mail them out," he said. "A lot of our actions are restricted by campaign finance laws." The Medford "red card" initiative comes amid widespread pushback by blue-state officials regarding the Trump administration's immigration crackdown — including visits by members of Congress to El Salvador to protest the detention of suspected MS-13 gang member Kilmar Abrego Garcia, and recent court rulings attempting to restrict Border Patrol agents' ability to detain suspected illegal article source: Blue city's Democratic committee prints thousands of 'red cards' urging immigrants to know their rights
