العربية
As part of its ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of education and advance teaching practices, Sohar University held its 8th Teaching and Learning Conference on 8 January 2026 at the University campus in Sohar, under the theme: “Fostering Educational Excellence Through AI and Innovation”. The conference was held under the patronage of Mr. Yahya Al Mundhari, Acting Undersecretary for Higher Education, and brought together a distinguished group of academics, experts, and education stakeholders from within the Sultanate of Oman and abroad.
The conference aimed to highlight the latest global trends in higher education, explore the role of artificial intelligence and innovation in developing teaching and learning methodologies, and enhance educational outcomes in line with rapid digital transformation. It also served as an academic platform for exchanging expertise, showcasing leading practices, and discussing innovative approaches that contribute to building more effective and engaging learning environments.
Participants from 11 countries took part in the conference, including Oman, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, France, Germany, India, Iran, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Yemen, and Egypt. Local participation included representatives from several higher education institutions, such as Sultan Qaboos University, Sohar University, A’Sharqiyah University, University of Buraimi, and Middle East College.
The conference program featured an official opening session that began with an Opening Address by Dr. Hamdan bin Suleiman Al Fazari, Vice Chancellor of Sohar University. In his speech, he emphasized the need to rethink traditional education models considering rapid developments in artificial intelligence, highlighting the importance of innovative, student-centered learning approaches that enhance engagement and learning effectiveness. He also underlined the growing role of AI in enabling adaptive learning systems tailored to individual learners through data-driven educational analytics and smart classroom environments.
This was followed by a speech delivered by Dr. Zainab Al-Zaghir, Chair of the Organizing Committee. The conference also featured main keynote presentations by prominent international experts, including Ms. Kathryn Harrison, Deputy Chief Executive of Advance HE, who addressed innovation in higher education in the era of artificial intelligence, and Professor Naail Barakat, Professor and Chair of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Texas at Tyler, USA, who shared insights on the application of AI in engineering education.
The program further included seven parallel sessions covering key themes related to teaching, assessment, digital learning, and academic development, in addition to a dedicated session recognizing outstanding academic initiatives and efforts.
The organization of this conference reflects Sohar University’s continued commitment to sustainable academic development, fostering a culture of innovation, and empowering faculty members to adopt modern educational tools and technologies. This aligns with Oman Vision 2040, which seeks to build a flexible, knowledge-based education system capable of meeting future challenges.
The conference represents a valuable addition to the University’s academic journey and contributes to enriching academic dialogue on the future of education and the transformative role of intelligent technologies in teaching and learning.