Latest news with #UniversityofNizwa
Observer
15-07-2025
- 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.
Observer
23-06-2025
- Science
- Observer
Falaj systems foster social cohesion in Omani tribal communities
MUSCAT: A groundbreaking research project titled 'Aflaj Systems and Social Cohesion in Oman, Al Dakhiliyah Governorate', led by Dr Majid Labbaf Khaneiki, Assistant Professor and Unesco Chair on Aflaj Studies and Archaeo-Hydrology at the University of Nizwa — has shed new light on the integral role of traditional water systems in shaping Omani tribal society. Funded by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation's Block Funding Programme, the study explores how the falaj irrigation system serves not only as a means of water distribution but as a vital pillar of social cohesion and economic sustainability among tribal communities in northern Oman. Challenging Western anthropological views of tribalism as territorially rigid and isolated, Dr Khaneiki's research reveals a contrasting narrative. The falaj emerges as a unifying force, facilitating intertribal cooperation through shared water resources — a structure the researchers term 'hydro-tribalism.' Falaj systems foster social cohesion in Omani tribal communities Using an inductive qualitative approach, the team combined ethnographic fieldwork, in-depth interviews with falaj stakeholders, and comprehensive archival and literature reviews. Their findings underscore how the technical and geographic realities of water mobility encourage communities to transcend territorial boundaries, promoting collective governance and reducing conflict. Moreover, the falaj supports a broader hydro-economic network, enabling trade, standardised agricultural practices, and infrastructure investment — often sustained through waqf (endowments). However, urban expansion and environmental threats now endanger this centuries-old system, making its preservation essential for maintaining social and ecological balance. Dr Khaneiki advocates for viewing the falaj not just as a water system but as a cultural and social asset, offering a timeless model of sustainable development and resilience rooted in harmony and cooperation. The research was published in the Journal of Arabian Studies and GeoJournal, with contributions from Dr Abdullah al Ghafri, Amjad al Rawahi, Dr Khalifa al Kindi, Dr Nasser al Saadi, Zahra al Abri, and Ishaq al Shabibi.
Zawya
23-06-2025
- General
- Zawya
Study finds aflaj vital for Oman's social and economic wellbeing
MUSCAT: Oman's traditional aflaj systems — centuries-old channels that once shaped where and how communities lived — are facing mounting threats that could undermine their role as cornerstones of Omani society. A new research study warns that rapid urbanisation, environmental degradation, and changing social dynamics now endanger more than water access: They put at risk a long-standing model of cooperation, resilience, and balance. 'This isn't just about infrastructure or heritage,' says Dr. Majid Labbaf Khaneiki, principal investigator of the study and UNESCO Chair on Aflaj Studies and Archaeo-Hydrology at the University of Nizwa. 'The aflaj are a living system that have sustained communities not only through water, but through social collaboration and shared responsibility.' The study, 'Aflaj Systems and Social Cohesion in Oman, Dakhiliyah Region', funded by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation under its Block Funding Programme, positions the aflaj as much more than functional irrigation tools. It finds that these systems have long served as organising structures for intertribal cooperation, economic interdependence, and conflict resolution — contributing to Oman's unique socio-environmental equilibrium. In challenging earlier anthropological portrayals of tribal societies as territorially insular, the researchers introduce the concept of 'hydro-tribalism' — a framework that explains how shared water management, rather than fixed land boundaries, has shaped tribal interaction in Oman. The falaj, they argue, functions as a unifying force, compelling cooperation due to the technical and geographic realities of water flow. 'Falaj systems cross tribal lines by necessity,' explains Dr. Labbaf Khaneiki. 'To maintain and benefit from a shared water source, tribes had to develop mechanisms of negotiation, joint investment, and trust. That's where the real power of the aflaj lies — it made collaboration essential.' The study's methodology combined ethnographic fieldwork in northern Oman, in-depth interviews with local falaj stakeholders, and a comprehensive literature review from archival and online sources. It reveals how falaj-based cooperation facilitated not only social cohesion but also supported a broader hydro-economic network —with communities investing collectively in farming systems, coordinating planting schedules, and sustaining commerce through waqf-funded infrastructure. These networks, the study suggests, have been instrumental in maintaining social balance and economic sustainability in often harsh environmental conditions. However, that equilibrium is increasingly fragile. 'With urban development encroaching on falaj zones and climate variability reducing water flow, the entire system is at risk of breakdown,' Dr. Labbaf Khaneiki warns. 'We're not just talking about losing an irrigation method — we're talking about the erosion of centuries of social architecture.' The report calls for urgent action, including legal protection for falaj routes, educational efforts to revive traditional knowledge among younger generations, and integrated planning policies that recognise aflaj as both environmental and cultural assets. The researchers stress that the value of the system lies not only in its technical ingenuity, but in the social intelligence it embodies. 'Falaj governance is rooted in equity and consensus. It's a model of sustainability that deserves more than admiration — it demands protection,' says Dr. Labbaf Khaneiki. The research, published in the Journal of Arabian Studies and GeoJournal, was conducted by a multidisciplinary team including Dr. Abdullah Al Ghafri, Amjad Al Rawahi, Dr. Khalifa Al Kindi, Dr. Nasser Al Saadi, Zahra Al Abri, and Ishaq Al Shabibi — each contributing critical expertise in hydrology, history, and cultural studies. © Muscat Media Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Times of Oman
22-06-2025
- General
- Times of Oman
Study finds aflaj vital for Oman's social and economic wellbeing
MUSCAT: Oman's traditional aflaj systems — centuries-old channels that once shaped where and how communities lived — are facing mounting threats that could undermine their role as cornerstones of Omani society. A new research study warns that rapid urbanisation, environmental degradation, and changing social dynamics now endanger more than water access: They put at risk a long-standing model of cooperation, resilience, and balance. 'This isn't just about infrastructure or heritage,' says Dr. Majid Labbaf Khaneiki, principal investigator of the study and UNESCO Chair on Aflaj Studies and Archaeo-Hydrology at the University of Nizwa. 'The aflaj are a living system that have sustained communities not only through water, but through social collaboration and shared responsibility.' The study, 'Aflaj Systems and Social Cohesion in Oman, Dakhiliyah Region', funded by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation under its Block Funding Programme, positions the aflaj as much more than functional irrigation tools. It finds that these systems have long served as organising structures for intertribal cooperation, economic interdependence, and conflict resolution — contributing to Oman's unique socio-environmental equilibrium. In challenging earlier anthropological portrayals of tribal societies as territorially insular, the researchers introduce the concept of 'hydro-tribalism' — a framework that explains how shared water management, rather than fixed land boundaries, has shaped tribal interaction in Oman. The falaj, they argue, functions as a unifying force, compelling cooperation due to the technical and geographic realities of water flow. 'Falaj systems cross tribal lines by necessity,' explains Dr. Labbaf Khaneiki. 'To maintain and benefit from a shared water source, tribes had to develop mechanisms of negotiation, joint investment, and trust. That's where the real power of the aflaj lies — it made collaboration essential.' The study's methodology combined ethnographic fieldwork in northern Oman, in-depth interviews with local falaj stakeholders, and a comprehensive literature review from archival and online sources. It reveals how falaj-based cooperation facilitated not only social cohesion but also supported a broader hydro-economic network —with communities investing collectively in farming systems, coordinating planting schedules, and sustaining commerce through waqf-funded infrastructure. These networks, the study suggests, have been instrumental in maintaining social balance and economic sustainability in often harsh environmental conditions. However, that equilibrium is increasingly fragile. 'With urban development encroaching on falaj zones and climate variability reducing water flow, the entire system is at risk of breakdown,' Dr. Labbaf Khaneiki warns. 'We're not just talking about losing an irrigation method — we're talking about the erosion of centuries of social architecture.' The report calls for urgent action, including legal protection for falaj routes, educational efforts to revive traditional knowledge among younger generations, and integrated planning policies that recognise aflaj as both environmental and cultural assets. The researchers stress that the value of the system lies not only in its technical ingenuity, but in the social intelligence it embodies. 'Falaj governance is rooted in equity and consensus. It's a model of sustainability that deserves more than admiration — it demands protection,' says Dr. Labbaf Khaneiki. The research, published in the Journal of Arabian Studies and GeoJournal, was conducted by a multidisciplinary team including Dr. Abdullah Al Ghafri, Amjad Al Rawahi, Dr. Khalifa Al Kindi, Dr. Nasser Al Saadi, Zahra Al Abri, and Ishaq Al Shabibi — each contributing critical expertise in hydrology, history, and cultural studies.
Times of Oman
22-06-2025
- General
- Times of Oman
Research project explores the role of aflaj in Omani tribal society
Muscat: For a research project the role of falaj water management systems in shaping social cohesion and economic sustainability within Omani tribal communities is being studied, according to Dr. Majid Labbaf Khaneiki, Assistant Professor and UNESCO Chair on Aflaj Studies and Archaeo- Hydrology at the University of Nizwa. The project, 'Aflaj Systems and Social Cohesion in Oman, Dakhiliyah Region', is a pioneering research project funded by the block funding programme of the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation. While many Western anthropologists have portrayed tribal societies as territorially insular and resistant to external influences, the findings of this study challenge this notion. The aflaj system instead emerges as a central organising principle that transcends tribal boundaries, fostering cooperation and economic interdependence. For the methodology, Dr. Majid Labbaf Khaneiki and his team employed an inductive qualitative approach, drawing on archival research and ethnographic fieldwork in northern Oman. They conducted in-depth interviews with local aflaj stakeholders, complemented by an extensive literature review using both hard copy and online sources. The findings of the study reveal that the aflaj irrigation system in the Sultanate of Oman functions more than a method of water distribution—it serves as a foundation for what the researchers' term 'hydro-tribalism,' a social structure where intertribal cooperation is driven by the technical and geographic demands of shared water resources. Contrary to western anthropological depictions of tribalism as territorially rigid and insular, the falaj system promotes collaboration across tribal lines, compelling communities to adapt spatially and socially to the hydrological realities of water's mobility. This dynamic reframes the aflaj as a central organising force that tempers territorial disputes and facilitates shared governance. Moreover, the research highlights how the aflaj system underpins a broader hydro-economic network that transcends tribal divisions through collective investment, standardised agricultural practices, and trade enabled by waqf-supported infrastructure. This interdependence has historically fostered social cohesion and economic sustainability. However, the system now faces existential threats from urbanisation and environmental degradation. Preserving the aflaj is critical not only for water management, but also for safeguarding the social and economic fabric it sustains, offering a valuable model for resilience and sustainable development in an era of climate and societal pressures. Through this study, Dr. Majid Labbaf Khaneiki recommends safeguarding afalaj systems not only as a water supply source, but also as a social asset that has enabled Omanis to live in perfect harmony with both others and nature. The lessons embedded in the aflaj system offer invaluable insights into sustainable development, demonstrating how cooperation can prevail over territorialism in shaping resilient societies. This research project was published in the Journal of Arabian Studies and GeoJournal. The research team consisted of Dr. Majid Labbaf Khaneiki, Dr. Abdullah Al Ghafri, Amjad Al Rawahi, Dr Khalifa Al Kindi, Dr. Nasser Al Saadi, Ms. Zahra Al Abri, and Ishaq Al Shabibi.
