The University will host the fourth International Conference on Microbial Ecology and Biotechnology (MESME 2026) from 11 to 15 October 2026. The conference will bring together researchers, academics, postgraduate students, early-career researchers and specialists working in environmental microbiology, biotechnology and related fields.

The programme features 12 invited speakers from international universities and research institutions, covering topics including environmental microbiology, microbiomes, biotechnology and sustainability. Researchers from 28 countries will also participate, reflecting the conference’s international scope and broad representation from the Middle East and North Africa, Asia, Europe and other regions. The scientific programme includes 159 accepted contributions, comprising 41 oral presentations and 118 scientific posters.

This year’s conference will also see the launch of the Middle East Society for Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology (MEsME), highlighting the role of scientific societies in supporting researchers. The International Society for Applied Microbiology (AMI) will also participate, with a focus on opportunities for early-career researchers.

The conference aims to strengthen regional and international scientific collaboration among academic and research institutions working in microbiology and its biotechnology applications. It will showcase the latest research, developments and innovations in environmental microbiology and biotechnology, particularly in the fields of the environment, agriculture and industry.

The conference will also highlight the distinctive potential of the Middle East’s unique environments, including desert, marine and hot-spring ecosystems, and encourage their use in innovative research and applications.

It further seeks to promote knowledge transfer and the use of modern technologies, linking fundamental research with practical applications in agriculture, food security, health, bioremediation and environmental protection. It will support young researchers and postgraduate students by providing opportunities to present their work, engage with experts and build international research networks.

In addition, the conference aims to strengthen partnerships among universities, research centres, industry and policymakers, helping translate research findings into value-added products with economic and societal impact. The launch of MEsME is expected to provide a sustainable regional platform for scientific collaboration and future initiatives and events, while further strengthening the position of Oman and SQU as regional and international centres of excellence in environmental microbiology and biotechnology research.