Page 13 - Foresight Newsletter - English

Honored Guests
Noteworthy
Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and
Innovation Visits Dhofar University Alongside
Dhofar Governor
which currently enroll 7,070 students.He also
CEO of the Endowment Institution for
discussed the academic programs o ered, the
Education
Support
a
(Siraj),
delivered
institution’s research and grants, and key
presentation
collaborative projects with various institutions.
institution’s
goals,
on
the
highlighted
significant
Additionally,
he
particularly in enhancing the quality of higher
international partnerships and initiatives
education through financial support for
undertaken by the university.
underprivileged and talented students. He
highlighted recent updates, current initiatives,
Lara bint Ghassan Ubaidat, Advisor to the
and future plans aimed at strengthening the
Minister for Scholarships and Academic
role of endowments in sustainable educational
Qualifications Equivalency, presented the
development. He emphasized the significance
strategic priorities of the ministry’s three
of scientific endowments in supporting lifelong
sectors: higher education, scientific research
learning and scientific research.
and innovation, and vocational training. She
Finally, Her Excellency Professor Rahma bint
also highlighted key areas of collaboration and
Ibrahim Al Mahrouqi engaged with final-year
partnerships between the ministry, the
institutions,
and
students from private higher education
governorate,
academic
industrial sectors, as well as the ministry’s
institutions in Dhofar. She addressed key
current programs and key performance
priorities,
including
national
education,
indicators reflecting di erent sectors.
capacity building, health, citizenship, identity,
and social well-being. She also discussed the
Furthermore, Mohammed bin Saeed Rafeet, a
ministers, governors, and municipal council
Dhofar University hosted a meeting on
ministry’s strategic priorities across its three
planning specialist from the Planning and
September 26, 2024, with Her Excellency
members to facilitate the coordination and
sectors and listened to students’ insights,
the
Investment
Department
at
Professor Rahma bint Ibrahim Al Mahrouqi,
implementation of various developmental
concerns
perspectives,
and
regarding
Governor’s O‹ce, presented an overview of
Minister of Higher Education, Scientific
projects across the governorates.
academic
challenges.
and
She
living
Dhofar Governorate’s strategic objectives and
Research, and Innovation, and His Highness
During the meeting, several key topics were
encouraged them to enhance their skills and
competitive advantages. His presentation
Sayyid Marwan bin Turki Al Said, the Governor
discussed. Professor Amer bin Ali Al Rawas
capabilities by utilizing various services,
covered the governorate’s priorities in the
of Dhofar. The event was a†ended by
delivered a presentation titled An Overview of
facilities, and programs o ered by their
investment,
economic
private
sector,
members of the university’s Board of Trustees,
Dhofar University and Future Vision, in which
institutions and the ministry, particularly in
diversification, financial sustainability, labor
Board of Directors, and Professor Amer bin Ali
he outlined the university’s vision, mission,
innovation and entrepreneurship. She also
market development, and the promotion of
Dhofar
Rawas,
Al
Vice-Chancellor
of
core values, and strategic plan, which is
urged them to leverage Dhofar’s resources and
sustainable cities and governorates. He also
University, along with several esteemed
comprised of nine key objectives. He
actively contribute to solving local challenges
outlined key economic enablers and notable
dignitaries, members of the municipal
elaborated on the implementation and
through their academic expertise and acquired
programs and projects implemented across
council, representatives from educational
contributions to scientific operational plans
skills. Lastly, she emphasized the importance
in
the
various
sectors
governorate,
and private sector institutions in Dhofar, and
supporting this strategy and provided an
of lifelong learning and the continuous
emphasizing its role in fostering innovation and
university students. This meeting aimed to
overview of the university’s five colleges,
acquisition of new skills after graduation.
youth empowerment.
enhance ongoing communication between
7 DHOFAR UNIVERSITY NEWSLETTER
2024/25 VOL 1 8
Dhofar University Dhofar Additionally, Mahmoud bin Khalfan Al Hadeedi,
Research
Research
Center
Functions of the DURC
The Dhofar University Research 1. Documentation of monographs and
Center (DURC) is a premier institute chemo-typing of Omani medicinal
at Dhofar University with expertise in plants, fungi and biodiversity,
the classical and modern solutions to cultural, environmental,
pharmaceutical sciences equipped social, and scientific issues related to
with state-of-the-art laboratories the Dhofar region.
and infrastructures required for the 2. Develop a database of certified
formulation and development of reference materials of important
herbal products. DURC adopted an bioactive phytochemicals.
integrated approach for the
3. Promote Dhofar University as a
treatment of various diseases since
research hub by promoting academic
2016, through investigation and
collaboration with counterpart
development of new products,
Research Centers and Universities in
herbal drugs, and new chemical
Arab and foreign institutions.
entities from natural Omani
resources. Also, novel drug delivery 4. Isolation and characterization of
systems using nanotechnology are bioactive compounds of Omani
explored to improve bioavailability medicinal plants for industrial
and therapeutic e cacy through applications.
preclinical studies for herbal
products and drug development. 5. Nano drug delivery systems to
DURC initiates knowledge transfer, improve bioavailability and
bridges strategic collaboration with therapeutic e cacy of the
government bodies, and provides phytomedicines.
identification of industrially 6. Development and formulation of
important medicinal plants with natural health products/dietary
economical value addition system of supplements, topical, cosmetic,
productivity that nurture innovation aromatherapeutic preparations using
and commercialization. The di erent dosage-forms like oral
Research Center has achieved tablets, oral capsules, oral drops,
several significant milestones in ointments, creams, gels, and inhalers.
technology development in the
domains of herbal health products, 7. Organize conferences and promote
nutraceuticals, microbial publications to spread awareness and
technologies, and ointments in develop skill-based knowledge at a
recent years. national and international level.
2024/25 VOL1 12