العربية
Reaffirming its strong commitment to advancing scientific research and developing national capacities in the field of education, Sohar University—through its Postgraduate Center—witnessed the launch of its first-ever PhD defenses in Education for the academic year 2024–2025. The sessions were held at the university’s Training Center located in the Learning Resources Building.
The defense took place on Thursday, June 19, 2025, marking a historic moment for the university. PhD candidate Maryam Al-Mulla presented her dissertation titled: “Developing Leadership Skills Among Public School Principals in Light of the Kouzes and Posner Leadership Challenge Model: A Proposed Framework.” Her research addressed a pivotal topic in educational leadership and offered comprehensive findings with practical applications.
On Sunday, June 22, 2025, the discussions continued with the defense of PhD candidate Sultan Al-Eisai, who presented his study titled: “The Application of Governance in Private Universities and Its Relationship to the Effectiveness of Administrative Performance in Light of Oman Vision 2040: A Proposed Framework.” His research offered a forward-looking approach to advancing higher education governance in line with national development priorities.
The university also hosted two additional defense sessions focused on curriculum and teaching methods. Sheikha Al-Saidi presented her dissertation: “The Effectiveness of a Training Program Based on the Circular House Strategy and Self-Assessment in Developing Recitation Competencies Among Islamic Education Teachers and Their Perspectives on the Program.” The study aimed to enhance teaching practices and professional skills through modern training and evaluation strategies.
Meanwhile, Lateefa Al-Moqbali defended her dissertation titled: “The Cultural Needs of Non-Native Arabic Learners in Oman and Their Relationship to Social Integration: A Proposed Model.” Her research shed light on the intersection of language education and cultural integration, offering practical solutions to promote inclusivity and social harmony.
Each defense session concluded with a thorough academic evaluation by panels composed of internal and external academic examiners. All candidates received approval for their dissertations, with recommendations for minor revisions, signifying their successful completion of a core requirement of the doctoral program (VIVA). The sessions were attended by faculty, educational experts, and members of the academic community. These dissertation defenses form part of a broader series of sessions organized by Sohar University’s Graduate Studies Center throughout June 2025, reflecting the university’s dedication to fostering a robust research culture and its leadership role in producing high-caliber academic professionals capable of shaping the future of education in the Sultanate of Oman.