Latest news with #SultanQaboosUniversity
Muscat Daily
3 days ago
- General
- Muscat Daily
Sculpting a niche
By MOHAMMED TAHA Yousef bin Saif bin Salim al Rawahi, a sculptor from the Wilayat of Mudhaibi, in North Sharqiyah, tells the story of Oman – fashioned not only in stone and wood, but also in spirit and imagination. Fuelled by his profound admiration for ancient Omani artefacts, Rawahi has established a name for himself through a body of work in sculpture that marries traditional motifs with contemporary artistry. His latest sculpture, Atabat Al Bab (Doorstep), was recently presented as a gift to Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad al Qasimi, member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, during an official visit to the Sultanate. The piece, which measures 40x40x14cm, draws inspiration from the architectural elements of old Omani homes. 'I wanted to highlight the doorstep,' Rawahi told Muscat Daily. 'It's not merely a physical entrance – it represents the hospitality, peace, and warmth found in every Omani home.' (Atabat-Al-Bab-Doorstep-for-Sheikh-Dr-Sultan-bin-Muhammad-Al-Qasimi) Crafted from a refined combination of marble and wood and inlaid with traditional geometric patterns, the sculpture reflects Al Rawahi's broader mission – to preserve and reinterpret Omani visual heritage for today's audience. Rawahi's artistic path began in 1999 when he enrolled at Sultan Qaboos University to study art education. By the following year, his emerging talent was recognised when he secured second place in a national sculpture competition held as part of the Youth Workshop activities in Muscat. From the outset, he was active in workshops and exhibitions, particularly under the auspices of the Omani Society for Fine Arts. While sculpture remained his primary focus, he also explored oil painting, watercolours, installation work, and graphic art. Returning to sculpture In 2013, Rawahi made a deliberate return to sculpture, his first artistic love. He soon gained recognition, beginning with his participation in the inaugural Arab Youth Sculpture Forum in Muscat in 2015. Since then, his works have been featured in exhibitions across Qatar, Jordan, Egypt, Morocco, Bahrain, and China. He is currently preparing to take part in the Algeria Symposium in 2025. On the local front, he has regularly taken part in the International Sculptors Camp since its second edition. He also played a leading role in organising the Al Khadra International Symposium, which has hosted 39 international sculptors over its three editions. Many of Rawahi's large-scale sculptures are on public display throughout the sultanate – in places such as Sultan Qaboos University, Wadi Al Jizi, Duqm City, the Sohar Fine Arts Museum, and Al Khadra. Among his most notable works is a 3.5m high sculpture situated at Duqm International Airport, which he completed during the 2023 Duqm International Sculpture Forum, organised by Sohar Fine Arts. Smaller works are typically housed in his personal studio or temporarily loaned out for exhibitions. Despite his achievements, Rawahi acknowledges the challenges sculptors face in Oman. 'One of the biggest obstacles is the lack of sculpture-focused events. At present, there are only two youth-led initiatives – the Al Khadra International Symposium and the International Sculptors Camp,' he said. He emphasised the importance of greater support from both, the public and private sectors, particularly in the acquisition of sculptural works. 'These pieces are of high artistic and cultural value – they deserve recognition and placement in public spaces,' he added. Museum in the making Looking ahead, Rawahi's vision is ambitious and clear. 'Sculpture demands passion, resilience, and the ability to express complex ideas through material form,' he said. 'My biggest dream is to see the Al Khadra Museum of Contemporary Sculpture come to fruition. The design has been fully completed, and I am hopeful that implementation will begin soon.' Through his work, Rawahi continues to tell the story of Oman – inspired by its past, steeped in the present, and hopeful of a promising future.
Observer
5 days ago
- Business
- Observer
Reimagining translation studies in Oman
In the last two decades, Oman has witnessed a growing demand for high-quality translation and interpretation services, driven by rapid globalisation, increasing government engagement in international diplomacy and the country's strategic vision under Oman Vision 2040. This rise underscores the urgent need to reassess how Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) prepare translators to meet both linguistic and technological demands. Recent research reveals a disconnect between academic training in Oman's universities and the real-world expectations of employers and translation clients. As the profession evolves, particularly through AI and digital transformation, HEIs must modernise their curricula, pedagogy and assessment strategies to reflect current industry needs. While translation is often associated with commercial language service providers (LSPs), in Oman it is increasingly embedded within institutional contexts. Ministries, universities, media outlets and judicial bodies frequently require in-house translation. However, a recent study conducted by Omani researchers shows that institutional translation practices often lack standardisation and quality control. Many public bodies rely on bilingual staff rather than professionally trained translators, which risks inconsistency, particularly in sensitive or technical contexts. Despite the profession's growing relevance, studies at institutions like the University of Nizwa indicate that many translation students face challenges with core linguistic competencies, especially translating from English into Arabic. Errors in syntax and journalistic language remain common. Survey findings further show that many students find existing translation courses overly theoretical, disconnected from professional realities and lacking specialisation in fields such as legal or media translation. To address this, HEIs should adopt task-based, practice-oriented pedagogies that expose students to authentic translation briefs, revision processes and performance-based assessments. Technology has also transformed the translation landscape. A recent study at Sultan Qaboos University found that many EFL students use AI and machine translation (MT) tools like Google Translate, DeepL, and ChatGPT for both learning and translating. While students benefit from their speed and accessibility, they also recognise their limitations regarding tone and contextual accuracy. Crucially, many students lack training in computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools and post-editing techniques — skills now essential in the industry. Translation departments must therefore offer courses in CAT tools, AI-assisted translation and post-editing practices. In today's market, digital literacy is no longer optional — it is a core competency. A nationwide study on practical training and job readiness found a strong link between real-world translation experience and professional success. Yet many students reported limited internship opportunities and weak institutional engagement. HEIs must institutionalise internships and service-learning components within translation programmes. By collaborating with ministries, NGOs, courts and media outlets, universities can provide students with supervised, hands-on translation assignments that also support national development goals. Such collaborations offer an added advantage: they enable HEIs to co-develop curricula that remain responsive to labour market needs. Gathering feedback from employers and alumni ensures that graduates are equipped with relevant and future-proof skills. Across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), attention is growing around translation education quality — especially in adopting technology and aligning programmes with employability frameworks. Bibliometric studies show a steady rise in research on translation pedagogy and curriculum reform, suggesting regional momentum. Institutions like Sultan Qaboos University, University of Nizwa and Al Zahra College are well-placed to lead in this area by developing interdisciplinary programmes that combine language, ethics, technology and institutional practice. Moreover, embedding soft skills training, such as critical thinking, time management and teamwork, is essential to prepare students for the collaborative and deadline-driven nature of today's industry. By reforming curricula, investing in technological training, embedding real-world experiences and working closely with industry, Oman's HEIs can ensure their graduates are not only employable but also positioned to support Oman's multilingual communication and global engagement. It is time to reimagine translation education — not as an academic formality, but as a national strategy vital to development, diplomacy and digital progress.
Times of Oman
6 days ago
- Health
- Times of Oman
College of Nursing takes part in WIDE Programme at Parma University
Muscat: As part of the strategic partnership between Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) and the University of Parma in Italy, five students from the College of Nursing, accompanied by Dr. Maryam bint Mohammed Al-Harrasi, Associate Professor, participated in the WIDE programme 'Digitally Enabled Nursing Students for an Inclusive, Compassionate, and Nursing Care Provision'. The initiative was fully funded by the University of Parma, reflecting a strong commitment to fostering academic and cultural exchange between the two institutions. The programme commenced with virtual preparatory sessions, followed by a week of on-campus activities at SQU in Muscat, which focused on digital health principles and holistic approaches to nursing. The second and concluding week took place at the University of Parma, where students engaged in an intensive schedule of educational experiences. These included symposiums exploring the integration of digital technologies into clinical nursing practice, small-group tasks under the supervision of international academic specialists, and high-fidelity clinical simulations designed to enhance clinical decision-making skills. The students also participated in interactive presentations and role-playing sessions with their peers from the University of Parma, which encouraged the exchange of professional insights and cultural perspectives. The programme highlighted the crucial role of digital innovation in improving the quality of life for patients and enhancing the efficiency of healthcare systems. It also emphasised the ethical and professional aspects of holistic, compassionate nursing care. Moreover, it provided participating students with a valuable platform to deepen their understanding of cultural diversity and to establish networks for future research collaboration. Commenting on the experience, Dr Maryam Al-Harrasi stated: 'WIDE is a unique educational experience that combined technical knowledge with empathy, and enhanced the readiness of students to lead the digital transformation in the nursing sector.' The successful participation in this programme reflects SQU's ongoing commitment to delivering internationally recognised educational experiences and aligns with its vision of preparing highly competent nursing graduates equipped to utilise technology in the service of individuals and communities, both locally and globally.
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.
Muscat Daily
07-07-2025
- General
- Muscat Daily
‘Our Safe Home' promotes family stability, security in Oman
Muscat – Through its Directorate General in Dakhliyah, Ministry of Social Development (MoSD) launched an initiative called 'Our Safe Home' on Monday aimed at reinforcing family security and fostering a society based on mutual respect, understanding and compassion. The initiative seeks to strengthen family cohesion, encourage open dialogue among household members, and promote shared values that support psychological and social development. Authorities view these as critical to maintaining stability in households and the wider community. As part of the initiative, three specialised workshops were organised focusing on mental health, family relationships and parenting in the digital age. Dr Hilal bin Salem al Abri, a guidance and counselling specialist at Sultan Qaboos University, led the first session titled 'How to be Successful Amidst the Crowds and Comparisons'. Aimed at youth aged 13 to 28, the workshop addressed the psychological effects of social comparisons and offered tools to enhance self-awareness and mental well-being. The second workshop – Red Light – was conducted by Dr Kafala bint Hamoud al Omairi, Head of Marriage Counselling Team in Dakhliyah. It focused on recognising early warning signs in relationships, particularly during engagement and the initial phase of marriage. Participants were introduced to techniques for emotional regulation and community-based support strategies. In the final session – Digital Upbringing in a Fast-Paced World – Dr Nahla bint Rashid al Shabibiyah of Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs highlighted the challenges of raising children in the digital era. The session outlined differences between traditional and digital parenting and provided strategies for maintaining a healthy balance between online and offline life. The 'Our Safe Home' initiative was part of Ministry of Social Development's broader efforts to promote social resilience and enhance family communication, contributing to the development of a more cohesive and supportive society.
