University of Nizwa to Host Omani Universities Ranking Forum to Improve International Rankings

The Omani Universities Ranking Forum will be hosted by the University of Nizwa on May 9th. The event is aimed at improving the international ranking of Omani universities and will be held under the patronage of Her Excellency Prof Rahma Ibrahim Al-Mahrooqi , the Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation.

The forum is in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation. The event will bring together chancellors from national government and private universities, representatives from international institutions, and participants from the QS World University Rankings.  

The forum aims to produce recommendations that can help universities and national institutions to be present in international rankings. The forum is divided into three axes, with the first axis highlighting best practices from four international universities. These include the University of Malaya in Malaysia, King Abdulaziz University in Saudi Arabia, and the National University of Sciences and Technology in Pakistan, along with the QS World University Rankings. Dr. Walid Al-Rajhi, the Dean of the Planning and Quality Management Deanship and head of the organizing committee, emphasized the importance of the forum in achieving this goal 

The forum has three main components.

The first axis covers the keynote speech by a distinguished speaker on global university rankings. The second axis includes seven working papers presented by local academic institutions, discussing opportunities and challenges related to academic rankings for Omani universities and national academic institutions. Finally, the third axis consists of a roundtable discussion involving Her Excellency the Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation, chancellors of government and private universities, legislators, beneficiaries, representatives of participating foreign universities, and a representative from QS World University Rankings. 

During the dialogue session, attendees will address topics such as enabling national universities to be present in global indicators, supporting research projects and innovations, international relations between universities, and partnerships between government and private higher education institutions. 

The University of Nizwa is hosting this forum to emphasize the importance of Omani national universities being present in global ranking indicators. This is especially important after the recent QS ranking, where the university achieved 61st place among Arab universities, positioning it on the verge of entering the global ranking index.