With the aim of exploring collaboration opportunities between the two universities, a delegation from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, USA visited Sultan Qaboos University on Tuesday, 15 January 2019. The delegation was received by Dr. Rahma Ibrahim Al Mahrooqi, SQU Deputy Vice Chancellor for Postgraduate Studies & Research and other officials.

The two sides explored the potential of academic and research collaboration in various fields including geology and water and environment, economics, nursing, and energy. The potential for establishing collaborative research funding programs was discussed during the meeting between SQU and UW–Eau Claire representatives .

For SQU officials, the visit of the US university delegation was an opportunity to learn about University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire undergraduate program which is considered one of the strongest such programs in the USA to turn undergraduate students into researchers as a potential model for SQU.

The delegation later visited the research labs at the College of Science, the botanic garden and Eco-house at SQU. The UW–Eau Claire delegation consisted of Dr. Mohammad Alasagheirin, Assistant Professor, Nursing; Dr. Tomas Kemp, Professor and Chair, Department of Economics; Dr. J. Brian Mahoney, Professor of Geology; and  Dr. Karen Mumford, Director, Watershed Institute for Collaborative Environmental Studies.