MUSCAT : The ceremony was held under the patronage of His Excellency Sultan bin Salim Al Habsi, Minister of Finance, spotlighting ten groundbreaking initiatives across fields like AI, renewable energy, health, and heritage.
Held at the Grand Hall of SQU, the ceremony honored a decade of transformative research funded by the Royal Grant and commemorated the historic visit of the late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said to the university on May 2, 2000. The university announced 10 winning projects for 2025, reflecting its strategic commitment to innovation, sustainability, and national development.
Among the awarded research leaders were Prof. Dr. Aisha bint Salem Al Harthi for advancing social innovation in Omani learning cities; Dr. Jalila bint Saeed Al Shukaili for her project on newborn screening for immunological disorders; and Prof. Dr. Tasneem Pervez, whose work focuses on developing solar cells from locally manufactured polymers.
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Other notable projects included Dr. Malik bin Mohammed Al Wardi’s AI-based drought prediction system, Dr. Rashid bin Salem Al Hajri’s prototype for green hydrogen production, and Dr. Amira bint Khamis Al Amri’s study on the socioeconomic impact of road traffic accidents. Research on carbon capture, digital heritage archiving, and national identity exploration were also spotlighted.
Dr. Amer bin Saif Al Hinai, Vice Chancellor for Postgraduate Studies and Scientific Research, emphasized the significance of this milestone: “We wanted this occasion to not be a passing one, but rather an opportunity to consolidate the outstanding academic and research achievements of the university, which have strengthened the Sultanate of Oman’s regional and international standing in the fields of science and knowledge, after receiving unlimited royal support.”
Dr. Ghazi bin Ali Al Rawas, Dean of Scientific Research, highlighted the legacy of the Royal Grant, which has supported nearly 4,500 research projects worth RO 78 million over the years. He praised the continuous backing from His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, underlining the nation’s commitment to research-driven growth.
The event also coincided with the International Conference on Scientific Research and Sustainability, themed “Scientific Research and Sustainability: A Vision for Change.” The conference addressed sustainable funding, partnerships, and impact measurement in scientific research, drawing experts from academia, industry, and policy sectors.
A special exhibition showcased key research outputs, innovation platforms, and systems supporting scientific publishing and sustainability. Films chronicling the journey of the Royal Grant and University Day added a commemorative touch to the festivities.
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