MUSCAT: A delegation from Sultan Qaboos University visited King Saud University in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The delegation was headed by the Honourable Dr. Badriya bint Ibrahim Al Shehiya, Director of the Centre for Preparatory Studies and Vice President of the State Council, also included Mahmoud bin Abdullah Al Kindi, Director of the International Cooperation Office and Wedad bint Hilal Al Hashemiyah, Senior teacher at the Preparatory Studies Centre.

The program of the visit included a meeting with His Excellency the Vice Rector and a review of the Higher Education Program for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students at King Saud University, with the aim of benefiting from their experience in this field to apply it at Sultan Qaboos University in preparation for receiving students from the deaf and hard of hearing category.

The delegation learned about the components of the program and attended some lectures. This initiative is based on the financial support that the university obtained from Okiyo to support the deaf program at the university as part of its initiatives to support people with special needs.

The delegation also visited the medical city and met the city’s executive director. The work mechanisms between the city administration and the hospitals and health centres of King Saud University were reviewed, and aspects of cooperation of mutual interest between the two sides were discussed.

The delegation also visited the Centre of Excellence for Autism and the Saudi Society for Hearing Disabilities, during which the delegation was briefed on the services and courses provided by the Society for the deaf, their families and society in general.