QS: What skills and values do society need to succeed and why, and how is your university addressing those skills and values? Society today requires more than technical knowledge: it needs graduates who are adaptable, ethical, digitally literate, globally aware, able to solve real-world problems, communicate well, work in teams, think critically and contribute to community and sustainability. These values, integrity, social responsibility, collaboration, innovation, are essential in Oman is to meet the ambitions of Vision 2040, in diversifying the economy, sustaining development and ensuring human capital is competitive globally.

At Sohar University, our response has been multifold:

• Embedding Graduate Attributes: We have defined the graduate attributes that all students must achieve. These include communication skills, critical and analytical thinking, leadership, teamwork, ethical responsibility, lifelong learning and digital competency. These attributes are explicitly mapped to the programme learning outcomes in each academic programme and are assessed throughout the student’s learning journey.
• Experiential, active and inclusive learning: In our Strategic Plan, we have committed to fostering experiential and independent learning, integrating modern instructional methodologies (active learning, blended learning) and ensuring inclusive teaching practices. These help students internalise values of teamwork, justice, respect, innovation.
• Student and alumni engagement: SU offers a supportive and engaging environment that helps students succeed and engage with the university by providing the academic support, modern classrooms and labs, modern learning resources centre and career guidance services that are available to enhance learning. In addition, a variety of clubs, events and activities provide a rich campus life that encourages creativity, participation and personal growth. The Career Guidance and Alumni Services (CGAS) at SU actively support students and alumni through a variety of professional development activities and services; this is seen in the many activities that are conducted and overseen by CGAS for both the students and the alumni.
• Global citizenship and lifelong learning: We promote cross-cultural understanding, international collaboration and prepare students for continuous growth. These values, respect for diversity, global awareness, are embedded in student experience strategies.

Through these responses, our graduates are better positioned not merely to find employment, but to lead, to adapt, to contribute ethically and meaningfully to Oman’s future.

QS: Where are the biggest opportunities for growth in higher education and social advancement in your region?

From our vantage point at Sohar University, several significant opportunities stand out in Oman’s higher education sector, areas which, if properly harnessed, can drive both institutional growth and broader social advancement.

· Deepening research & innovation, especially applied research As Oman pushes forward with its economic diversification, there is increasing need for innovation, for solving real challenges in energy, environment, industry, sustainability, health, digital transformation. Higher education institutions can be central engines of this. We see opportunity in moving beyond academic research to research that is interdisciplinary, market-active and socially impactful. Sohar’s Strategic Plan places research and innovation as one of the six strategic thrusts.

• Stronger partnership with industry, government and community The value of universities increases when they are connected to the wider ecosystem. Collaborations for internships, knowledge transfer, commercialisation of research and community service can make learning more relevant and social outcomes more tangible. There is great potential to intensify these at scale. Sohar University’s plan emphasises community and industry engagement as a strategic thrust.
• Enhancing student experience & graduate employability Students today expect not just lectures, but holistic development, such asexperiential learning, cross-cultural exposure, entrepreneurship, digital-based learning, communication and soft skills. By investing in student support systems, modern pedagogy, inclusive and flexible learning pathways, we can produce graduates who are resilient, innovative and ready to contribute.
• Leveraging digital transformation & pedagogical innovation The global shift toward blended, online, digitally enhanced education offers opportunities to improve access, flexibility, resource efficiency and reach. Incorporating modern instructional technology, digital learning environments and adaptive learning can be a source of growth and quality. Sohar University has - in its Strategic Plan - commitments to modernise the teaching and learning environment.
• Global profile and internationalization Enhancing our global partnerships, student and faculty member exchange, aligning standards with international bodies and attracting global talent are strategic opportunities. These not only improve standing, but also expose our students and faculty members to broader perspectives, which is important for lifelong learning and global competence.
• Turning to sustainability and societal impact Universities have a role in leading on sustainability, social justice and environmental stewardship. When higher education aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), national drivers such as Oman Vision 2040 and community needs, the impacts are multiplied. Sohar University is embedding community engagement and SDGs in its strategic approaches.

These opportunities, if realised, can produce not only academic growth, but meaningful advancement: raising employability, reducing unemployment, enhancing quality of life, fostering innovation, reinforcing national identity whilst engaging globally and building a knowledge economy.

QS: If you could shape higher education in one key way to make it better, where would you focus on why? If I were to point to one key change that would produce the greatest benefit for higher education in Oman—and for Sohar University in particular—it would be systematic integration of demand-driven, stakeholder-informed, adaptive curricula and learning experiences anchored in real societal and industry needs, combined with enhanced flexibility in how education is delivered.

Here are what that change would look like operationally:

• Engaging industry, community, government in curriculum design from the start, not only as advisory boards but as co-creators, to ensure that what is learnt, assessed and experienced is aligned with the evolving economy and societal challenges.
• Building in flexibility: modular courses, micro-credentials, blended and online modes, recognition of prior learning. Leveraging AI-powered adaptive learning platforms and analytics which can personalise education, recommend content and track progress. These allow diverse learners (such as working professionals, people changing careers) to benefit and make higher education more inclusive and responsive.
• Embedding continuous feedback loops (from alumni, employers and students) so that courses are regularly reviewed and updated in light of what graduates actually do, what skills were lacking, where expectations have shifted.
• Deepening experiential learning: more internships, apprenticeships, applied projects, laboratories, community service, innovation and entrepreneurship embedded in curricula, not optional extras but core requirements.
• Strengthening teaching quality by investing in faculty member development, modern pedagogy, digital literacy, learning technologies so that instructors are equipped to deliver adaptive, student-centred, outcome-focused education linked to research and innovation.

We at Sohar University believe that this change would help shift higher education from being static and supply-driven to being dynamic, relevant and responsive; boost employability; ensure better societal outcomes; and better align institutions with Oman Vision 2040.

QS: What are you most hopeful for or excited about in the future? Looking ahead, there are several dimensions of Sohar University’s path that genuinely excite me, as Vice Chancellor, in terms of what they promise for our students, Oman and higher education more broadly.

• I am excited that with the 2023-28 Strategic Plan now active, our University is doubling down on its commitment to research and innovation, promoting our global profile and enhancing student experience. These are not just aspirational goals but come with concrete initiatives and indicators. It feels like we are entering a period of transformation rather than incremental change.
• I see great potential in our graduates becoming agents of change: better prepared for the future, more entrepreneurial, more socially aware and globally competent. When our students embrace innovation, lead projects and engage with communities, I believe we are truly fulfilling Sohar University’s Mission.
• I know the impact we can make through partnerships: with industry, government, NGOs and international institutions. These collaborations will not just enhance the learning environment but translate into economic diversification, local problem-solving, environmental sustainability—outcomes that matter for Oman.
• I am aware that the opportunities afforded by educational technology and pedagogical innovation are also motivating: modern instructional methods, blended and active learning, flexible delivery and digital tools give us possibilities to reach more people with high quality education and to adapt quickly to change.
• Finally, I am hopeful because of the support for strategic alignment with national priorities – especially Oman Vision 2040 – and with international accreditation and recognition. This external validation and alignment gives us motivation, but also ensures that our ambitions are grounded in what the country needs.

In summary, what excites me at SU the most is seeing Sohar University not just grow in size, but mature in impact: shaping knowledge, improving lives, serving the community, taking its place globally and being a key contributor to Oman’s future.