Sultan Qaboos University, represented by its Remote Sensing & GIS Centre, organized an international forum on remote sensing applications in physical oceanography on 25 September 2018 at the University. The event was organized in cooperation with the Chinese State Key Laboratory of Satellite Ocean Environment Dynamics of the Second Institute of Oceanography in Chinese and Marine Science Center of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.

The forum began with the opening and welcoming speech by Dr. Yaseen Al Mulla, Director of Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems Research Center, in which he gave a brief about the RSGIS research center at the University and its objectives and capabilities, the research and projects that have been implemented and those that are ongoing utilizing aerial and satellite imagery. Among these applications, Dr. Al-Mulla explained is the in the field of physical oceanography which is the context of this forum. Dr. Yaseen also noted that it is fortunate to establish this forum with the above-mentioned Chinese institute and laboratory at this time where the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of China are celebrating the 40th anniversary of the relations between the two countries.

Dr. Feng Zhou Deputy Director of Chinese State Key Laboratory of Satellite Ocean Environment Dynamics presented a keynote speech and explained about three case studies on the applications of remote sensing in this field including monitoring of Hypoxia. After the break, eight papers were presented by speakers from the marine science department at the university and MAF marine sciences Center in addition and six other papers from the Chinese Institute. The aim of the forum, which was attended by a number of governmental and non-governmental organizations in addition to Oman National Hydrographic Office from Royal Navy, was to shed light on this Hi-tec and its applications to cope up with the development of science, which is the university's efforts in this direction. The way forward from this forum of future collaboration has been discussed at the conclusion of the forum.