Minister Opens University of Nizwa’s First Postgraduate Conference

Oman’s Minister of Housing and Urban Planning, Dr Khalfan bin Said Al Shueili, has opened the University of Nizwa’s first postgraduate conference, bringing together 160 researchers from 16 Arab and international countries. The two-day event, held from 10 to 11 December 2025, is being organised under the theme “Towards Innovative Horizons in Educational Sciences and Arabic Language Studies.”

The opening ceremony was attended by the Chancellor of the University of Nizwa, Prof Ahmed bin Khalfan Al Rawahi, senior university officials, members of the State Council, academics, researchers and postgraduate students from Oman and abroad. The conference features 110 research papers, selected from more than 220 submissions. Of these, 37 papers focus on Arabic language and literature, while 73 address educational and psychological sciences.

Participating countries include Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, China, Kuwait, Tunisia, Lebanon, Algeria, Germany, Qatar, Morocco, Palestine, Yemen, Sudan and Oman. The conference aims to provide postgraduate students and graduates with an opportunity to present their research, exchange knowledge and move beyond traditional academic approaches towards more innovative perspectives.

In his opening address, Dr Issa bin Suleiman Al Amri, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and Chair of the Conference Supervisory Committee, said research in education and Arabic language studies was fundamental to building a modern and sustainable society. He described language as a vessel of identity and cultural memory, while, in education sciences, he said, individuals are shaped to be capable of innovation and national contribution. He added that progress in these fields directly supports societal development.

Dr Al Amri said the conference themes were designed to address contemporary transformations in Arabic language and literature, innovation in education, and the development of postgraduate research skills. He noted that the diversity of participating researchers reflects strong academic links between higher education institutions in the region and internationally, and highlights a shared belief in the importance of research for knowledge development, cooperation and future planning.

Speaking on behalf of conference participants, Yaofeng Miao, a master’s student at Beijing Foreign Studies University and a research assistant at the China Research Centre for Gulf Arab States, thanked the University of Nizwa for hosting and organising the event. He described the conference as a valuable platform for academic exchange across disciplines, cultures and borders. He said it provided an opportunity for researchers to reflect on their responsibilities in an increasingly interconnected world.

The first keynote speaker, Prof Saif bin Nasser Al Mamari from Sultan Qaboos University, highlighted the role of postgraduate studies as a foundation for producing new knowledge and advancing societies. He said postgraduate students play a key role in research and innovation, contribute to solving national and global challenges, and enhance the international standing of their universities through research publication and collaboration.

A second keynote address was delivered by Dr Hilal bin Said Al Hajri, who called for a renewed approach to research in Arabic language and literature, particularly in Oman. He stressed the need for interdisciplinary studies that connect Arabic with social sciences and applied fields, and for research that examines literature and discourse as reflections of social change.

The opening ceremony also included a screening of a university film, a poetry recital and the launch of a research poster exhibition featuring 20 selected posters in educational and linguistic studies. Organisers announced awards for outstanding research papers and posters, aimed at encouraging academic excellence and innovation.

Conference sessions are being held across four venues on the University of Nizwa campus, covering the two main themes over two days. University officials say future editions of the conference will expand to include additional postgraduate disciplines, reinforcing the institution’s role as a research-focused university and strengthening academic dialogue at both regional and international levels.