SQU has concluded the symposium held to mark the 40th anniversary of its opening, titled “From Foundation to Leadership: Forty Years of Impact and Shaping the Future”. The symposium was held under the directives of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and closed with a number of recommendations:
●    Documenting SQU’s institutional memory, including the experiences, leadership and achievements of its pioneers, and activating alumni networks to draw on their expertise and professional connections, in order to preserve the institutional legacy, strengthen communication between generations and support the University’s development.
●    Developing a sustainable framework for measuring the University’s national impact, whether economic, social, scientific or cultural, including the impact of its research and its solutions to national challenges, and using the findings in planning, setting priorities and maximising national returns.
●    Renewing the educational and institutional model to keep pace with AI and the knowledge economy; developing programmes, teaching methods and assessment; and promoting critical and creative thinking, future skills and lifelong learning, alongside governance and institutional flexibility.
●    Directing applied and multidisciplinary research towards national priorities, and strengthening knowledge and technology transfer and the commercialisation of research outputs, to raise the efficiency, competitiveness and sustainability of productive sectors.
●    Developing an institutional framework to anticipate the future needs and challenges of the public and private sectors and to produce innovative solutions in partnership with them, contributing to the localisation of expertise and technologies and strengthening the University’s role in developing economic sectors and supporting technological transformation and economic diversification.
●    Diversifying the University’s funding sources and strengthening its financial sustainability by developing innovative and sustainable funding mechanisms, including activating the University endowment (waqf) system and strengthening its governance and investment tools, drawing on leading international experience. This would support the continuity and development of educational, research and innovation programmes, as a complement to government funding rather than a replacement for it.
●    Developing the Technology Oasis into an integrated innovation ecosystem that links scientific research with industry, supports economic partnerships, technology transfer, the commercialisation of research outputs and the incubation of start-ups, in order to turn knowledge into products and solutions with economic and developmental value.
●    Strengthening the University’s international presence and its academic and research partnerships, building on its achievements and expertise and drawing on Oman’s international relations and the opportunities offered by His Majesty the Sultan’s high-level visits, in order to broaden high-quality cooperation, knowledge transfer and the exchange of expertise.

Four decades of contribution to national development
The third session, titled “Sultan Qaboos University and Oman: Four Decades of Impact on National Development”, examined the University’s contribution to the developmental transformations Oman has seen over the past four decades. It looked at the University’s role in building human capital, preparing national talent and developing institutions and the economic, social, health and cultural sectors.
The session reviewed the contributions of SQU graduates in leading state institutions and the private sector, and their participation in economic, social and institutional transformation. It also covered the University’s efforts to develop the health, engineering, education, economics, public administration and social sciences sectors.
It also addressed the contribution of scientific research, innovation, consultancy, entrepreneurship and knowledge transfer to supporting the economy, as well as the University’s community service initiatives in the governorates. Its role in shaping cultural awareness, strengthening national identity and producing knowledge about Omani society was also discussed. The session considered the University’s shift from a focus on education to broader activity in research, innovation and service to development, and ways of establishing a sustainable institutional framework for measuring its impact periodically.
The session featured His Excellency Sayyid Ibrahim bin Said Al-Busaidi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism; Her Excellency Dr Laila bint Ahmed Al Najjar, Minister of Social Development; and Eng Said bin Mohammed Al-Masoudi, Chief Executive Officer of Sohar Aluminium. It was moderated by Professor Said bin Mubarak Al-Muharrami.

Envisioning SQU’s future
The second day’s proceedings also included a keynote address, “Reimagining Higher Education in the Era of Artificial Intelligence and the Knowledge Economy”, delivered by Professor Amr Ezzat Salamah, Secretary-General of the Association of Arab Universities.
The programme concluded with the fourth session, “Beyond Forty: Envisioning SQU’s Future over the Next Two Decades”. It addressed strategic directions for strengthening the University’s standing locally and internationally, and the future of teaching, learning, research and innovation in light of technological developments, AI applications and digital transformation.
The session explored a number of themes, including the most suitable future model for the University by 2045; the impact of AI on teaching, learning, research, assessment and the role of faculty members; and the requirements for developing research, attracting outstanding researchers and strengthening the University’s international presence.
It also considered diversifying the funding sources for scientific research, broadening partnership with government, industry and the private sector, and enhancing the University’s contribution to raising productivity, innovation and economic diversification. Further themes included technology transfer, patents, start-ups and university entrepreneurship; converting research results into economic and social value; and activating partnership with government and society in studying national issues and providing scientific solutions.
The session also touched on areas of research excellence linked to Oman’s needs, including energy, water, food security, health, sustainability and AI.
Taking part were His Excellency Dr Mundhir bin Hilal Al-Busaidi, Head of the Oman Vision 2040 Implementation Follow-up Unit at the Ministry of Economy; Professor Amr Ezzat Salama; and Professor Amer bin Saif Al-Hinai, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Postgraduate Studies and Research. The session was moderated by His Highness Sayyid Dr Faris bin Turki Al Said.