The Sultan Qaboos University Council held its first meeting for the academic year 2025–2026 at the University Council Hall. The meeting was chaired by Her Excellency Professor Rahma bint Ibrahim Al-Mahrouqi, Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation and Chair of the University Council, and attended by His Highness Sayyid Dr. Fahd bin Al Julanda Al Said, the Vice-Chancellor and Vice-Chair of the Council, along with Their Excellencies and esteemed members of the Council.

During the meeting, the Council reviewed updates on the progress of work at the University across various domains, as well as the implementation status of decisions and recommendations adopted at previous meetings. The Council approved the regulations for appointment to academic positions at the University for both Omani and non-Omani staff, in addition to updates to the academic promotions regulations.

The Council also approved the cadre system framework, which focuses on adopting clear scientific criteria for the promotion of researchers, including research output and community service.

As part of efforts to expand scientific specialisations across different academic levels and to increase the number of academic programmes, the Council approved the Master of Science in Genetic Counselling at the College of Medicine and Health Sciences.

In addition, the Council approved the merger of the Independent Learning Centre and the Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning into a single entity under the name Centre of Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Future Skills. The Council also approved the restructuring and renaming of the Child Care Centre as the Early Education Unit.

The meeting concluded with an emphasis on the importance of enhancing academic performance and ensuring close follow-up by all relevant units to implement the University’s plans and strategies in accordance with the approved framework.