The Shura Council hosted H.E. Dr. Rahma Ibrahim Al Mahrooqi, Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation, who delivered the ministry's statement. Following her presentation, the Excellencies members of the council provided their comments and inquiries, focusing on the necessity to enhance and improve the higher education sector in the Sultanate of Oman. 

They also emphasized the importance of supporting scientific research and innovation, and diversifying outputs to align with the requirements of the job market. 

This discussion came as part of the Tenth regular session of the first Annual Term the First Annual Session (2023-2024) of the Tenth Term (2023-2027), chaired by H.E. Khalid Hilal Al Maawali, Chairman of Shura Council and in the presence of their Excellencies members of the Council.

 H.E. Dr Rahma Ibrahim Al Mahroukiya gave a speech on behalf of the Ministry, which covered five main topics: the policies and programmes of the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation in Oman, strategies and five-year plans, higher education, vocational education and training, and finally scientific research and innovation.
H.E. the Minister touched on the importance of setting appropriate educational policies in line with the current stage and Oman Vision 2040 through a firm principle that education is the prosperity and prosperity of society, and because of it, the knowledge-based national economy grows and is sustained. The statement focused on the tenth five-year plan (2021-2025) and the Ministry's general policy and objectives during the period, which contained 10 basic objectives, under the umbrella of an overall goal of promoting human capital development, supporting social and economic progress, and contributing to the well-being and prosperity of society.


H.E. statement to Shura Council H.E Dr Rahma Ibrahim al Mahrouqiyah, Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, highlighted achievements and goals of the ministry in serving, developing and growing the sectors of higher education, scientific research, innovation and vocational training.

The minister said there is an increase in enrollment rates of Omani students in higher education institutions abroad by instituting 206 annual scholarships to Saudi Arabia, 50 in Hungary and 22 in France


The H.E. said Oman is giving 100 fee-free scholarships for international students who are residents in Oman to study bachelor’s degrees at the University of Technology and Applied Sciences.
The minister said 22 private higher education institutions achieved Omanisation in teaching staff between 2.4 per cent and 46.31 per cent. The average general increase reached 15.2 per cent. According to studies conducted by the ministry on the employment and Omanisation policy in private higher education institutions in the academic years between 2020 and 2023


H.E. Dr Al Mahrouqiyah said a joint working group had been formed to review curricula for educational institutions between the Ministry and the Ministry of Education, Sultan Qaboos University, and the University of Technology and Applied Sciences. The minister said the ministry paid great attention to students with disabilities by providing the large number of opportunities.


H.E. minister said the ministry paid great attention to students with disabilities by providing the large number of opportunities. Mother signed a cooperation programmer with the Ministry of Social Development and Oman LNG to support 50 General Education Diploma holders to obtain bachelor’s degrees in occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy.

 
H.E. also said signed a cooperation programmer with the Ministry of Social Development and Oman LNG to support 50 General Education Diploma holders to obtain bachelor’s degrees in occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy. The minister concluded her statement with the attention given to scientific research and innovation to transform Oman into a knowledge economy and increase its global competitiveness.


The H.E. said there is an increase in enrollment rates of Omani students in higher education institutions abroad by instituting 206 annual scholarships to Saudi Arabia, 50 in Hungary and 22 in France. Al Buraimi University, the German University of Technology in Oman, and Dhofar University qualified for the prestigious Erasmus+ Scholarship for the first time under which students of these varieties took part in student exchange programmes, the minister said.

Dr Al Mahrouqiyah said a joint working group had been formed to review curricula for educational institutions between the Ministry and the Ministry of Education, Sultan Qaboos University, and the University of Technology and Applied Sciences.

H.E. Dr Rahma said in cooperation with the competent authorities has clamped down on fake degrees and universities. As a result, the number of fake certificates decreased to 10 cases in 2023. Eighteen private universities and colleges were able to obtain institutional accreditation from the Oman Authority for Academic Accreditation and Educational Quality Assurance after undergoing evaluation.