Latest news with #SQU
Muscat Daily
19 hours ago
- Business
- Muscat Daily
SQU team creates low-emission alternative to traditional bricks
Muscat – A team of students from Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) has developed a sustainable construction brick made entirely from local natural materials, as part of an effort to reduce the environmental impact of the building sector in Oman. Named Envibrick, the product is positioned as a low-emission alternative to traditional bricks. The student-led company behind Envibrick said the product meets key environmental needs specific to Oman, while helping lower carbon emissions. The bricks are lightweight, salt-resistant and provide high thermal insulation, reducing energy consumption in buildings. These are also insect-repellent, adding a health benefit to their environmental and cost advantages. Halima bint Khamis al Fajrani, CEO of Envibrick, said the team conducted extensive testing at the university's laboratories using specialised equipment, with results carefully documented throughout the development process. One of the main technical challenges was the initial weight of the brick, which the team overcame by replacing heavy components with lighter alternatives without compromising strength or quality. Work is ongoing to finalise the formulation and secure a patent for the product. Once the final mix is approved, the team plans to integrate 3D printing into production to meet modern construction requirements more efficiently. Envibrick recently won the Best Marketing and Promotional Idea Award at the Sultan Qaboos University Science Festival Exhibition and ranked among the top three student industrial companies. The team also participated in the Injaz Oman competition, which promotes student entrepreneurship. The startup aims to expand into the Gulf market, where demand for sustainable construction materials is growing.
Observer
3 days ago
- General
- Observer
SQU explores AI, Emotional Intelligence in education
SALALAH: Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) officially launched the third edition of its annual Summer School, held under the theme 'The Integration of Emotional and Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education.' The programme is taking place at the Rotana Hotel in Salalah and continues until July 26, as part of the university's broader efforts to advance academic development and promote educational tourism during the Khareef Dhofar Season. This year's edition brings together approximately 50 academic participants from six higher education institutions across Oman. The six-day programme features expert-led lectures, thematic sessions, interactive discussions and field visits to key tourist and heritage sites in Dhofar Governorate. In its opening address, the organising committee welcomed the participants and highlighted the significant expansion of the Summer School since its inception. While the first edition included just three institutions, the current edition has doubled that number - reflecting the growing relevance of the school's academic themes and its role as a collaborative national platform. The committee noted that the choice of this year's theme responds to the rising integration of artificial intelligence technologies in education and the pressing need to preserve the emotional and human dimensions of teaching and learning. True innovation, it added, lies not only in technological advancement but in leveraging such tools to serve human development and social well-being. The opening day featured a high-level panel discussion titled 'Thriving Societies Through the Integration of Emotional and Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education.' The session brought together leading academic voices from Oman and abroad. Among the panellists was Dr Awadh bin Amer al Rawas, a senior academic and innovation adviser who serves as Non-Resident Dean at the University of Newfern in Georgia, and holds a PhD in Artificial Intelligence from the University of Sussex in the UK. Dr Al Rawas is widely recognised for his contributions to digital transformation and education reform. The programme features expert-led lectures, thematic sessions, interactive discussions and field visits Also speaking was Dr Rajiv Jhangiani, Vice-Provost for Teaching and Learning at Brock University in Canada. A global expert in open education, he sits on the boards of several international organisations that advocate for social justice in education and the ethical use of technology. Dr Jhangiani is affiliated with the Inclusive Education Lab and the British Columbia Working Group on Technology Ethics. Dr Mahmood al Maawali, a psychologist and certified trainer in career development and academic counselling, also joined the panel. He holds a doctorate in psychological counselling and has led professional development programmes across both the public and private sectors in Oman and Qatar. The session concluded with a series of forward-looking recommendations aimed at shaping academic strategies in Oman's higher education sector. These included the adoption of holistic teaching philosophies that integrate emotional intelligence with technical expertise, the development of institutional frameworks to guide ethical AI usage, and the expansion of faculty training in both soft skills and emerging technologies. The panellists also underscored the importance of designing smart learning environments that support diverse learning styles and encourage meaningful teacher–student interaction. Finally, the panel called for a redefinition of academic leadership - one that embraces emotional awareness and champions the responsible, human-centred application of artificial intelligence in education. As part of the week-long programme, the participants will engage in specialised workshops and thematic seminars. A guided field visit on the third day will showcase Salalah's natural beauty and cultural heritage, reinforcing the link between academic exploration and cultural immersion. The Summer School reflects Sultan Qaboos University's ongoing commitment to raising educational standards, fostering innovation in pedagogy, and positioning Dhofar as an emerging hub for academic and scientific exchange.
Muscat Daily
4 days ago
- General
- Muscat Daily
SQU launches 3rd summer school focused on emotional and AI integration in higher education
By OUR CORRESPONDENT Salalah – The third edition of the summer school for academic staff at higher education institutions in Oman kicked off today in Dhofar Governorate. Organized by Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), the six-day event is themed 'Integrating Emotional and Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education' and is being held at the Salalah Rotana Hotel. The opening was held under the patronage of H.E. Dr. Ahmed bin Mohsen al Ghassani, Chairman of Dhofar Municipality, with officials and academic staff from six higher education institutions in attendance. The initiative, part of SQU's efforts to boost academic development and promote educational tourism during the Khareef season, brings together 50 participants. It features interactive workshops, expert talks, and discussion sessions aimed at balancing digital advancement with emotional intelligence in academic environments. Dr. Asma bint Saeed al Ghassaniyah, Director of the Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, highlighted the program's growing scope and its role in enhancing collaboration across institutions.
Muscat Daily
08-07-2025
- Science
- Muscat Daily
SQU developing AI-driven robot for autonomous building inspection
By OUR CORRESPONDENT Muscat – A research team at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) is developing an autonomous robotic system capable of inspecting multi-storey buildings without the need for human assistance, smart infrastructure or IoT connectivity. Funded by SQU's Deanship of Research and College of Engineering, the project is led by Dr Gulam Dastagir Khan, with Dr Muhammed Bilal Waris and Dr Taha bin Mubarak al Saadi serving as co-investigators. It brings together researchers from the departments of electrical and computer engineering and civil engineering. In its first phase, the team designed and tested a quadruped robot capable of operating standard lifts and navigating between floors using only onboard technologies. The robot uses a YOLOv11-based vision system, AprilTag markers for spatial alignment, and a robotic arm with four degrees of freedom to interact with elevator panels. Trials conducted in a four-storey building on the SQU campus demonstrated consistent sub-centimetre navigation accuracy. In the next stage, the robot will be equipped to carry out detailed building inspections. It will autonomously assess structural elements such as walls, ceilings and door frames, as well as safety infrastructure including fire alarms, extinguishers, sprinkler systems and electrical panels. The robot will also detect issues like leaks, cracks and insulation defects.
Zawya
07-07-2025
- Science
- Zawya
SQU study maps Oman's coastal potential for ocean cooling
MUSCAT: A team of scientists at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) has completed a significant study that paves the way for identifying suitable coastal locations in Oman for sustainable cooling solutions powered by deep ocean water. These findings are set to inform strategic investments in infrastructure, industry, and digital technology along the Sultanate's extensive coastline. The research, titled 'Selection of Sustainable Cooling Sites Using Ocean Water through Integrated Probabilistic Learning and Multi-Objective Optimization,' was recently published in a peer-reviewed international journal. The study presents an innovative, data-driven framework for selecting optimal sites along Oman's coast where cold deep seawater can be harnessed to cool industrial facilities and buildings. By integrating satellite-based remote sensing, AI-powered prediction models, and advanced optimisation tools, the research forecasts current and future subsurface ocean temperatures while also assessing uncertainty. The model evaluates key parameters such as seawater temperature, depth of extraction, distance from population centers, and data reliability to guide efficient and cost-effective site selection. 'What makes this study unique is its exclusive focus on Oman—offering practical, location-specific insights into where seawater cooling systems can be deployed to reduce energy use and operating costs,' explained Dr Saleh al Saadi, Director of the Sustainable Energy Research Centre (SERC) at SQU. 'As one of the authors, I am proud to see a vision take shape—one that began over a decade ago to harness the potential of Oman's oceans. This work reconnects our seafaring heritage with modern sustainable energy applications. It lays the groundwork for future solutions rooted in our natural resources,' he added. Also contributing to the study were Dr. Mohammad Reza Nikoo and Dr Ghazi Ali al Rawas from the Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering at SQU's College of Engineering, along with Research Assistant Mehdi Karani. The implications of the study are wide-ranging. Oman's strategic location on the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean—offering proximity to deep, cold, nutrient-rich waters—has attracted interest from international investors exploring deep seawater cooling for various applications. These include heavy industries, petrochemical plants, RO-based desalination, and increasingly, hyperscale data centers that demand efficient, 24/7 cooling. In parallel, aquaculture, algae cultivation, and climate-controlled greenhouse farming are emerging as promising avenues where deep ocean water can play a transformative role. Coastal farming of high-value crops like leafy greens and strawberries, for instance, can benefit from cooler growing environments even in peak summer months. Significantly, the study strengthens Oman's ambitions to become a regional hub for data infrastructure, with deep ocean water cooling—combined with solar and wind energy—offering a low-carbon, cost-efficient solution for global tech firms setting up hyperscale data centers in the Sultanate of Oman.
