As part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen and institutionalise the academic advising system, SQU organised a workshop titled “Exchanging Best Practices in Academic Advising” at Ma’ani Hotel. The initiative reflects the University’s commitment to developing the academic advising system and enhancing the quality of students’ educational experience.

The workshop brought together a distinguished group of academics and students from the University’s nine colleges, along with participants from the Centre for Preparatory Studies, the Student Counselling Centre, the Academic Awareness Section at the Deanship of Admissions and Registration, and Oman College of Health Sciences. The workshop provided a platform for exchanging experiences and reviewing modern approaches in academic advising, contributing to improved academic achievement and supporting students’ psychological and social well-being.

Participants emphasised that academic advising is no longer limited to guiding students in course selection; rather, it has become an essential component in shaping students’ personalities and helping them make informed decisions regarding their academic and professional paths. The workshop also highlighted the importance of effective communication between advisers and students, as well as the use of modern technologies and electronic systems to monitor academic performance and provide timely support.

The workshop comes at a time when higher education institutions are facing rapid challenges, making it necessary to adopt innovative advising practices that respond to students’ needs and help them adapt to university life and achieve academic success. The workshop also showcased successful experiences within the University, creating opportunities for exchanging ideas and discussing collaborative mechanisms aimed at enhancing the quality and management of academic advising services.

Several specialists noted that such initiatives contribute to promoting a culture of quality and academic excellence within the University and reinforce the concept of partnership between students and educational institutions, which positively impacts higher education outcomes in the Sultanate of Oman.

The workshop concluded with a set of recommendations calling for the continued organisation of specialised meetings in the field of academic advising, the intensification of training programmes for advisers, and the development of assessment tools to evaluate the effectiveness of academic advising, ensuring the best outcomes for both students and the academic institution alike.