MUSCAT : With nearly three decades of experience in higher education, Dr. Samya Al Shanfari has become a defining voice in Oman’s quality and governance landscape. As Chair of the Oman Association for Quality in Higher Education (OAQHE) and Executive Director of Quality and Institutional Performance at Muscat University, she operates at the intersection of national strategy, institutional behaviour, and leadership decision-making.

Her work extends beyond traditional quality assurance. Rather than focusing solely on accreditation processes, she is known for decoding the deeper dynamics that shape how institutions respond to quality frameworks in practice. This includes examining leadership behaviours, governance maturity, and the cultural realities that ultimately determine whether quality systems succeed or fail.

Dr. Al Shanfari’s leadership of OAQHE builds on years of sustained contribution to the sector and a strong track record of disseminating knowledge across institutions and professional communities. Having previously served as Deputy Chair and played a central role in shaping the Association’s early strategic direction and professional network, she brings both continuity and credibility to her role. This long-standing engagement has earned her a high level of trust across Oman’s higher education sector, positioning her to lead the Association at a time of growing national and regional importance .

Throughout her career, she has also contributed to national-level research and sector dialogue, leading major studies commissioned by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation that engaged a significant proportion of institutions across Oman. These efforts have generated system-level insights that inform policy, institutional practice, and quality enhancement at scale .

Beyond Oman, Dr. Al Shanfari is a recognised international keynote speaker on issues related to quality assurance, accreditation, governance, and educational policy. Her work brings a system-level perspective that connects global standards with local realities, positioning Oman within wider international quality conversations.

OAQHE itself serves as an independent platform that connects institutions, policymakers, and professionals to share ideas, research, and good practice, strengthening quality across the sector . Under her leadership, the Association is advancing a more collaborative and insight-driven approach.

Her vision is to move the quality landscape beyond compliance and reporting towards a culture grounded in deep understanding, evidence-informed decision-making, and meaningful impact. By creating trusted spaces for open dialogue and shared learning, she continues to position quality not as a regulatory requirement, but as a strategic driver of excellence, resilience, and national development.

For all the latest news from Oman and GCC, follow us on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn, like us on Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube page, which is updated daily.