العربية
Sohar University organized the National Peer Tutoring Forum yesterday, Tuesday, 31 March 2026, at its campus, under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Saud bin Mohammed bin Saud Al Hinnai, Wali of Sohar. The forum brought together a distinguished group of academics and experts from various higher education institutions within the Sultanate of Oman and beyond, reflecting the University’s commitment to enhancing the quality of education and supporting student success.
The forum was held under the theme “Partners in Success, A Future Excellence” aiming to highlight the importance of peer teaching as a modern educational approach that empowers students and enhances their academic and personal skills, while also facilitating the exchange of expertise and best practices in learning support.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Muna Al Badai stated: “Peer Tutoring is not merely a method used in classrooms; rather, it is a comprehensive educational philosophy centered on learner engagement. It transforms students from passive recipients of knowledge into active contributors in constructing and delivering it, while improving the academic performance of their peers. This model offers numerous benefits, including enhancing self-confidence and effective communication skills, developing leadership and teamwork abilities, and fostering a culture of lifelong learning, which is a cornerstone of the knowledge economy. What distinguishes this forum—as the first specialized national gathering in this field—is its alignment with Oman Vision 2040, which places higher education, innovation, and scientific research at the core of national development, aiming to produce graduates capable of competing locally, regionally, and globally”.
The forum featured notable academic participation, including a keynote address by Ms. Zadija Zahi from Qatar University, titled “Peer Tutoring: From Support to Empowerment.” The program also included a panel discussion titled “Beyond the Algorithm: The Irreplaceable Human Touch in Peer Tutoring”.
Additionally, the forum included 16 concurrent discussion sessions covering topics such as Administrating Academic Support Centers, Navigating Tutor Challenges & Building Resilience, and the AI Revolution in Academic Support, alongside the presentation of Effective Strategies & Pedagogies.
The forum witnessed wide participation from various educational institutions, including Sultan Qaboos University, University of Nizwa, A’Sharqiyah University, Al Buraimi University College, and University of Technology and Applied Sciences, in addition to Sohar University. Participants presented research papers and practical experiences that reflected the diversity of expertise and the integration of efforts in developing learning support systems.
The organization of this forum aligns with Sohar University’s commitment to adopting qualitative initiatives that contribute to enhancing the educational environment and strengthening partnerships among academic institutions. This supports the achievement of high-quality educational outcomes, aligns with modern trends in higher education, and contributes to preparing students capable of excellence and competitiveness across various fields.