MUSCAT : As per the Royal Decree No. 19/2024 – details of which were published on March 31 – the University Academic Council will be chaired by the Minister of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation, and include private sector representatives specializing in university education and public affairs.

Following the approval of the Council of Ministers and relevant authorities, the Academic Council will assume a formidable mandate. It will be responsible for the formulation of SQU’s central policies, encompassing the organizational framework, strategic blueprints, developmental trajectories, academic offerings, and quality benchmarks.

Of particular significance is the newfound authority to establish branches in various governorates, thereby decentralizing educational opportunities and fostering regional development. Moreover, the Academic Council wields the power to effect changes such as the merger, abolition, or modification of colleges, centers, institutes, and academies, as well as regulating the annual intake of students.

Financial responsibilities also fall within the purview of the Academic Council, as it determines the university’s annual budget and oversees its implementation in adherence to financial regulations. Equally pivotal is its role in greenlighting the commencement of studies, with the authority to suspend or defer them as necessary, alongside issuing comprehensive annual progress reports.

Furthermore, the Academic Council will foster dialogue on pertinent educational, research, and innovation initiatives, providing informed insights and recommendations on proposed policies and strategies. It also paves the way for the recruitment of visiting professors to enrich the academic milieu through teaching, training, and research endeavors.

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