Page 62 - Faculty Handbook 2021-22

Few strategic research programs recently added by MoHERI are:
 Road Safety Strategic Research Program
 Dubas Strategic Research Program
 Social Observatory Research Program

 Renewable Energy Strategic Research Program
 Strategic Program for Water Research

14.4.3. Smart City Platform
Smart City Platform is a knowledge-sharing consortium to drive smart city initiatives in Oman. The
objective of this platform is to provide a knowledge-sharing, collaborative and networking
environment between smart city stakeholders. The platform shall facilitate and enable smart city

innovations through research funding and innovation competitions. The platform shall create
awareness on the importance of smart city solutions and best practices. The platform will enable
a path towards a unified national smart city vision & strategy. The interested faculty members
should follow the call deadlines as announced by the Department of Research each year.

14.4.4. The National Research Award

The establishment of the National Research Award (NRA) is considered as a translation and partial
realization of the National Research Strategy 2040. The Award aims at encouraging researchers
to conduct high-quality and relevant research in areas of national interest. The award is 2000 R.O.
for each category in all pre-announced disciplines.

The NRA is divided into two categories:

 Category 1: Best published research led by a young researcher (a non-PhD holder).
 Category 2: Best published research led by a PhD holder or equivalent (Senior Specialist or
higher in the medical field) at the time of the article’s publication.

14.4.5. Research and Innovations Award in Water Science
The award was established upon recommendations from the third symposium for Sultan Qaboos
Scientific Chairs, organized by Sultan Qaboos Higher Centre for Culture and Science. The symposium,

titled ‘Managing Water Resources for Sustainable Development’ was held at the University of Tokyo
(2-3 October 2014). The aims of the award are to promote the development of high-quality
research, support Innovative initiatives of individuals and raise awareness in water field.

The award is given in two categories:
 Innovation category: Includes innovations and Young innovators

 Publication Category: PhD holder and non-PhD holder

14.4.6. The Upgrade Program

The Upgrade Program is to transform best graduation projects into successful ICT startups to bring
socio-economic benefit to Oman. Statistics have shown that the number of ICT graduates exceeds
1500 students per year executing more than 300 graduation projects. Students spend one or two
semesters working on developing an idea and prototyping it, and all it ends when they submit the

Dhofar University Faculty Handbook (2021-22) Page 58