العربية
Sohar University concluded on Thursday the activities of the Third ALECSO Forum on Arab Universities Twinning, organized by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation and the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO), in collaboration with the Omani National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science, under the theme “The Productive University.” The forum brought together more than 36 experts and academics representing 16 Arab and international countries and was hosted by Sohar University.
During the closing ceremony, participants praised the significance of this academic event, which served as an intellectual platform for exchanging expertise and discussing ways to enhance integration between education, scientific research, and industry. The forum emphasized the importance of aligning higher education with Oman Vision 2040, which seeks to build a knowledge-based and innovation-driven economy.
The second day of the forum featured five main sessions, including: Investing in Research Outputs to Achieve the Concept of the Productive University, Productive Universities: Arab and Global Models, University–Industry and Global Institutions Partnerships: Current Challenges, Maximizing the Impact of Partnerships and Research Collaboration as a Strategic Approach for Broader Influence, and finally, Practical Recommendations for Building an Arab Model of Productive Universities.
The forum underscored the importance of focusing on applied research that can generate tangible value, products, or services supporting national economies. It also highlighted the need to prepare and graduate skilled cadres aligned with labor market needs, promote entrepreneurship and innovation, and strengthen university–industry collaboration to develop academic programs that respond to evolving professional and technological requirements. Furthermore, the discussions emphasized the necessity of updating university curricula to keep pace with emerging technologies and deepening joint academic cooperation among Arab universities to achieve broader regional impact. The successful conclusion of the forum reaffirmed Sohar University’s commitment to advancing scientific research, innovation, and sustainable partnerships, consolidating its position as a leading academic institution contributing to the development of higher education and knowledge economies in the Arab world.