العربية
Global speakers and specialized scientific discussions
Sohar, February 24, 2025 – The international symposium on “Arab and International Scientific Cooperation in the Field of Scientific Research and Innovation” commenced yesterday, Monday, organized by Sohar University in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, and the federation of Arab Scientific Research Councils. The event features a distinguished group of international academics, experts, and decision-makers in the fields of scientific research and higher education. It is held under the patronage of H.H Al-Sayyid Mohammed Thuwaini Al Said, in the presence of H.E Prof. Rahma Ibrahim Al Mahrouqi, Minister of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation, along with several ambassadors and dignitaries. The symposium will continue for two days.
Representatives from 11 countries participated in the symposium: the Arab Republic of Egypt, the State of Libya,, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Republic of Tunisia, the Republic of Iraq, and France. They represented 20 institutions, most notably the federation of Arab Scientific Research Councils, the Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the UNESCO Regional Center of Quality and Excellence in Education, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Association of Arab Universities, ALECSO, and the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie, along with representatives from major international academic publishing houses such as Elsevier, among others.
The opening ceremony featured an official speech by Her Excellency Dr. Rahma bint Ibrahim Al-Mahrouqi, Minister of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation, Additionally, there were speeches from representatives of the Arab Council for Scientific Research, the Association of Arab Universities, the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie, and the UNESCO Regional Center for Quality and Excellence in Education, summarizing the activities of the participating Arab and international organizations.
The symposium aims to support scientific, Arab, and international cooperation for Omani research and innovation institutions, review Arab experiences in the fields of scientific research, innovation, and entrepreneurship, as well as explore cooperation opportunities between research institutions in the Sultanate, both regionally and internationally. Additionally, it will present Oman’s National Strategy for Scientific Research and Development and the National Innovation Strategy 2040 for Oman, along with introducing the activities of the Arab and international organizations participating in the symposium.
Regarding the importance of this symposium, Dr. Hamdan bin Suleiman Al-Fazari, Vice Chancellor of Sohar University, said, “This symposium aims to elevate and collaborate in scientific research and innovation among higher education institutions and research and innovation in the Sultanate and their counterparts in Arab and international countries. It is also an opportunity to exchange information and best practices about scientific research and innovation and its role in creating comprehensive and sustainable development. This leads to constructive cooperation and partnership that results in effective and impactful research outcomes, contributing to the advancement of universities and the growth of the economies of countries and communities.”
The first day’s program includes two keynote lectures. The first one is about Arab scientific cooperation: opportunities and challenges, presented by Professor Mohamed Marayati, an expert in science and technology for sustainable development at the United Nations Development Programme. As for the second lecture, it delivered by Professor M’hamed el Aisati, Vice President of Research Analytics and Data Services at Elsevier Publishing House, addressing the topic of fourth-generation universities and academic evaluation.
It is worth mentioning that during the inauguration, a cooperation agreement was signed between Sohar University and NED University of Engineering and Technology in Karachi, Pakistan (the Sultan Qaboos Chair for Information Technology at NED University – established in 2004).
Specialised discussion sessions also commenced, the most notable of which was the first session that addressed “Scientific Research and Innovation,” chaired by Professor Ghassan Al-Kindi, Pro Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation at Sohar University. Presentations were made on Oman’s 2040 strategy for scientific research, in addition to initiatives by the FASRC and Arab-European scientific cooperation programs.
The symposium continued with a second session on “University Programs for Arab and International Organizations,” which included visual presentations from the Francophonie University Agency and the Union of Arab Universities on research support programs and academic rankings.
This symposium comes as part of the ongoing efforts of Sohar University to enhance the role of scientific research and innovation in supporting sustainable development, and to create effective bridges of cooperation between researchers and academic institutions inside and outside the Arab world. The symposium ‘s activities are scheduled to continue on its second day, including additional sessions addressing the latest developments in scientific research and innovation, as well as an extensive panel discussion on Arab and international cooperation in scientific research, featuring a selection of academic and research leaders.