The 2018 edition of the Internal Grant Research Forum organized by the Office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Postgraduate Studies & Research at Sultan Qaboos University was held at SQU on Monday, 24 December 2018 under the patronage of H.E. Dr. Hilal Al-Sabti, Executive President of the Oman Medical Specialty Board. As many as 11 researchers from different colleges and research centres at the University presented the progress of selected Internal Grant-supported projects, including major milestones, innovative outcomes and research outputs, and other deliverables.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Rahma Ibrahim Al Mahrooqi, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Postgraduate Studies & Research, SQU said that internal Grants have remained, since their inception in 1999, one of the most significant drivers of medium-level research activity at the University. “Investigative projects funded by Internal Grants fully support the university’s research, educational, and community engagement objectives, and are key contributors to knowledge generation that underlines innovative products, processes, and services”.

The DVC further said that Internal Grants support academic research that is expected to yield original results that generate new knowledge, or that helps develop concepts consistent with the research and educational objectives of the university. “Results obtained may stimulate interest in subsequent projects of a broader scope that can be considered for support from other available funding sources”.

Dr. Rahma added that the amount available for Internal Grants each year is 500,000 Omani rials, of which the vast majority is allocated. “This amount is allocated to investigators across the university’s colleges, research centers, and other units each year, with, for example, 88 projects supported by Internal Grants in 2017 and 120 in 2018”, she noted.

“In recognition of their importance for supporting faculty and staff research and innovation, especially in terms of conducting research in areas of strategic importance for Omani society, the DVC-PSR’s Office and the Deanship of Research at SQU remain committed to enhancing the current Internal Grants system, including by seeking an increase in annual funding availability”. She called upon researchers to seek the establishment of wider and deeper research networks; networks that not only cover Oman, but that also reach throughout the region and across the world.