University of Nizwa Tops Oman in 2025 Nature Index with 38% Growth

The University of Nizwa has emerged as the leading academic research institution in the Sultanate of Oman, securing the top spot in the Nature Index 2025, a globally recognised indicator that ranks institutions based on their contributions to high-quality scientific research.

With a score of 4.10, the University outpaced other Omani institutions, marking a 38% increase from its 2023 score of 2.56—the highest growth rate among national contenders.

The achievement underscores the University's growing reputation in research excellence, reflecting its strategic focus on fostering a dynamic research environment, empowering faculty and researchers, and promoting scientific publications in globally indexed journals.

The Nature Index monitors research outputs published in 145 high-impact scientific journals, using a metric known as “share” to attribute contributions to institutions based on co-authorship. The 2025 index covers publications released between January 1 and December 31, 2025.

Speaking on the milestone, officials attributed the University's performance to its specialised research laboratories, qualified research talent, and active international collaborations, which collectively enhanced its capacity to produce research at the global level. These efforts, they noted, are aligned with the University’s vision to cement its status as a leading academic and research institution in the region.

Over the past years, the University of Nizwa has maintained a consistent presence in the Nature Index, thanks to its continued investment in research and innovation, capacity building, and knowledge-driven initiatives. Its progress also reflects the broader role of Omani universities in contributing to regional and global scientific discourse.

Globally, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) retained its position at the top of the index, as eight of the world’s top ten institutions were from China. This continued dominance is seen as the result of sustained, large-scale national investment in scientific research infrastructure.

As Oman continues to strengthen its research and innovation ecosystem in line with Vision 2040, the University of Nizwa’s latest achievement is a testament to the country’s potential to lead in knowledge production on the global stage.