SDG 4 – Quality Education

Sohar University > SDG 4 – Quality Education

QUALITY EDUCATION SDG4

Oman's initiatives for Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) on quality education are guided by its overarching Oman Vision 2040 strategy, which prioritises the development of a knowledge-based society and competitive national talents.

Oman supports Quality Education through Oman Vision 2040

Scholarships and Financial Aid: Oman is heavily invested in post-secondary education through a robust system of government-funded scholarships and financial aid programs for its citizens, managed primarily by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation (MOHERI) and the Higher Education Admission Centre (HEAC). The goal is to produce graduates with skills that align with the Omani job market and the objectives of Oman Vision 2040.

Integration of SDGs into Curricula: The Ministry of Education, in cooperation with the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), launched the pilot phase of the Tales on Sustainable Development project in 20 schools in late 2025. This project aims to integrate the principles of the SDGs, including education for sustainable development and global citizenship, into school curricula.

Enhancing Higher Education and Research: Oman is making significant investments in its higher education sector, focusing on research and innovation to align educational outcomes with global standards and workforce demands. Key developments in 2024-2025 include:

  • Increased international recognition for Omani universities in global rankings.
  • A significant rise in research publications and the number of full-time researchers, supported by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation's Block Funding Program.
  • Focus on international partnerships and the use of technology in learning to equip graduates with future-ready skills.
  • Lifelong Learning and Skill Development: Oman emphasises inclusive education and lifelong learning opportunities for all segments of society.

Quality Assurance: The Oman Authority for Academic Accreditation and Quality Assurance of Education (OAAAQA) implements a comprehensive evaluation system, including national institutional and academic program accreditation, to ensure high standards are met across all educational levels.

Regional Cooperation: Oman hosted the 10th GCC SDG 4 Follow-up Team meeting in July 2024 to assess regional progress, share best practices, and address challenges related to SDG 4 indicators.

Resources:

Oman Higher Education Report 2025

SDG4 at Sohar University

Diverse Academic Programs: Through its multiple faculties, SU offers programs at the undergraduate, Master's, and PhD levels. This multi-level structure ensures pathways for students from their initial higher education to the highest levels of academic and professional research, directly supporting the SDG4 target of equal access to all levels of tertiary education.

Accreditation and Quality Assurance: The university's commitment to quality is foundational. As the first private university established in the Sultanate of Oman, it is fully accredited by the Oman Authority for Academic Accreditation and Quality Assurance of Education (OAAAQA).

International Accreditation and Memberships

Engineers Australia

Engineers Australia - Accreditation of UG programs		 Australian Computing Society

Australian Computing Society - Accreditation of UG programs		 AACSB

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) - Member

Continuous Improvement: The university actively participates in international ranking systems, such as the QS World University Rankings and the Times Higher Education (THE) and therefore maintains a constant cycle of review.

International Collaboration: To foster a global perspective, Sohar University maintains a strong international profile with an expansive suite of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and active partnerships with universities worldwide. These collaborations are not just symbolic; they facilitate:

  • Joint research projects in areas of common interest
  • Exchange of information, scientific works and other scientific and educational materials of mutual interest; joint initiatives such as seminars, lectures, symposia
  • Collaboration and participation in conferences
  • Thesis co-supervision

This ensures that students and faculty are exposed to global best practices, diverse cultures, and international academic standards.

Scholarship and Financial Aid

To ensure inclusive and equitable education, the university has a clear Scholarship and Discount Policy designed to reduce financial barriers for a wide range of students and to ensure equal access to affordable tertiary education for all. This includes significant tuition fee discounts for:

  • Students with disabilities
  • Students from low-income families (social security recipients)
  • High-achieving students
  • Families with multiple children enrolled at the university

Research in Education

Sohar University contributes to research in various fields. Through the Research Teaching Nexus approach, SU academic staff incorporate relevant, local research into the classroom. Additionally, the Centre for Educational Development hosts an annual international event, the Teaching and Learning Conference, where scholars actively investigate, promote, and share best practices in pedagogy and educational quality, thereby improving teaching and contributing to the broader educational landscape in Oman and beyond.

Community Engagement and Lifelong Learning

Societal Development: The university runs outreach programs, workshops, and seminars for community members, schools, and local organisations.

Manufacturing Incubation: Sohar University's support for SMEs is a core component of its strategic plan, providing a practical, hands-on ecosystem that guides entrepreneurs from an idea to a manufactured product.

In direct collaboration with Oman's Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Riyada), Sohar University established a dedicated incubator for SMEs.

  • Administrative and technical support
  • Business mentorship
  • Marketing consultation
  • Assistance with manufacturing plans and equipment selection
  • Support for knowledge transfer and protecting intellectual property

Lifelong Learning: By offering services such as career fairs, professional development workshops, and networking events, the university supports the concept of lifelong learning, enabling graduates and business professionals to upskill and adapt throughout their careers.

SU’s Strategic Commitment to Quality Education

Sohar University is deeply committed to driving quality education and equality through academic excellence, as outlined in the 2023-2028 Strategic Plan. SU strives to provide quality teaching and learning through creativity, scholarship and investing in modern instructional methodologies.

Strategic Objectives under the thrust of Academic Excellence

  • Sustain Quality Education
  • Cultivate Innovative Teaching and Learning Approaches
  • Modernise the Teaching and Learning Environment

Core Value of the Strategic Plan

  • Ethics: Foster the highest academic and professional standards in the spirit of open and critical thought, inquiry, fairness and integrity.
  • Commitment: Optimise stakeholder contributions to drive excellence and enhance academic, professional and personal growth and lifelong learning.

Associated Policies and Procedures

  • University Discount Policy
  • Student Support Fund Policy
  • Academic Advising Policy
  • Co-curricular Support Services Policy
  • Student Academic Excellence Policy
  • Student Admission Policy
  • Student at Risk and Academic Probation Policy
  • Student Progression and Awards Policy
  • Student Retention Policy
  • Internal Quality Review Policy
  • Research Teaching Nexus Policy