Omani Academic Joins International Education Council

20 Feb, 2025 |

In a distinguished global academic achievement that highlights Omani academic competencies both regionally and internationally, Prof. Yousra bint Juma Al-Sinani, Professor of Curriculum and Teaching at the College of Education, has been appointed as a member of the Supreme Council of the International Council on Education for Teaching (ICET), representing the Arabian countries. This appointment was announced during the 65th General Assembly Conference held in Portugal.

The Supreme Council of the ICET is a non-governmental international organisation headquartered in the United States of America. It holds consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council and was established in 1953 with the aim of enhancing the quality of education worldwide and improving teacher preparation practices.

This membership reflects Prof. Yousra’s pioneering role in the field of education, and provides her with the opportunity to contribute effectively to the development of education on both regional and international levels. Through her expertise, she contributes to support the Oman Vision 2040, which focuses on improving the quality of education and enhancing young people's skills to ensure their competitiveness in the global job market. This vision seeks to promote the concept of distinguished education based on innovation and development, aligning perfectly with the Council’s objectives of improving teacher training quality and expanding educational opportunities.

Her membership marks a significant step towards strengthening education efforts in the Sultanate of Oman and expanding its impact on regional and international levels. Her work focuses on achieving inclusivity and equality in education policies, aligning with Oman’s ambitious goals of advancing education and enhancing quality of life.

Prof. Yousra Al-Sinani expressed her thoughts on this achievement, stating, "This position is an opportunity to establish a strong foundation for enhancing Sultan Qaboos University's standing in global educational forums and to highlight Oman’s significant role in global educational initiatives. It also fosters cooperation between Arab nations in the fields of education and the global academic community."

It is worth noting that Prof. Yousra Al-Sinani chaired the sub-team of the Oman Vision 2040 project during its third phase (2022–2023), which focused on improving and enhancing the efficiency of teacher preparation programmes at Sultan Qaboos University, the University of Technology and Applied Sciences in Rustaq, and private universities in Oman, in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation. She has also been a member of the International Advisory Committee for Doctoral Research at the University of Toronto, Canada, from 2023 to 2026, and a visiting professor at the University of Vienna in Austria from 2015 to 2019. Additionally, she is a founding member of the Arab Women Academics Union at the League of Arab States (2024), a member of the International Association for Physical Education in Higher Education in Belgium since 2012, and a member of the International Association of Physical Education and Sport for Girls and Women since 2009.

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