A delegation from the University, headed by Professor Salim bin Hamoud Al-Harthi, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Community Service, is taking part in the World University Presidents Forum and the International Forum on Higher Education, held in Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China, from 7 - 10 November 2025. The two events are themed “Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Higher Education” and “A Leading Country in Education and the Sustainable Development of Higher Education.”

The delegation also includes Dr. Badriya bint Khalfan Al-Haddabi, Dr. Iman bint Said Al-Hosni, and Issa bin Marhoon Al-Foori. This participation aligns with SQU’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its global standing in the study and exploration of emerging technologies, particularly in the field of AI. Through this engagement, the University takes an important step towards fostering closer collaboration with leading international universities and institutions, harnessing advanced knowledge to enhance its academic and research capacities, and expanding international cooperation in ways that serve the future of education in the Sultanate of Oman.

The forum is jointly organised by the China Association of Higher Education and Zhejiang University, with the participation of more than 150 academic leaders representing 40 countries across five continents. The discussions address several key themes, including the digital transformation of higher education, governance and research innovation, and talent development models in the age of AI.

SQU’s participation in such international scientific gatherings is significant for several reasons: it enables the University to keep pace with the rapid developments in higher education, especially in light of digital transformation and AI advancements, central themes of the forum; it expands the University’s international partnership network, promoting knowledge exchange and research collaboration with world-class institutions; and it supports Oman Vision 2040, which aspires to a globally competitive education system, an aspiration clearly reflected in this initiative by SQU.

It is worth noting that expanding opportunities for SQU’s students and faculty members to participate in regional and international research projects was one of the main topics discussed by the delegation. The University representatives held several meetings with presidents of distinguished international universities to explore avenues for collaboration and academic exchange in higher education and research across key specialised programmes.