Sultan Qaboos University Reports Significant Progress on Oman Vision 2040 Indicators

Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) has reported significant advancement on its Oman Vision 2040 indicators for 2025, with progress achieved on 13 of these benchmarks. This update emerged during the university's annual media meeting, which convened to review its achievements, performance indicators, and future plans. The meeting noted that the university achieved progress on 13 of its Oman Vision 2040 indicators during 2025, demonstrating a proactive approach to national development goals. Out of 18 strategic performance indicators set for 2025, 13 were fully achieved, marking a substantial success rate for the institution's strategic objectives.

Additionally, four more Oman Vision 2040 indicators are nearing their designated target levels, indicating continued momentum towards full achievement. The university's overarching strategy extends from 2016 to 2040, providing a long-term framework for its operations and ensuring alignment with national aspirations. This extensive strategic roadmap guides the university's development and ensures its contributions to the Sultanate's future. The Third Executive Plan, covering the period from 2026 to 2030, functions as a guiding document for decisions and projects implemented within SQU, detailing specific actions and initiatives to be undertaken in the coming years. This plan is key for translating the broader strategic vision into concrete, actionable steps, ensuring that the university remains on track to meet its ambitious targets.

Academic and Research Excellence

Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) achieved a global ranking of 334th and secured the eighth position in the Arab world within the QS World University Rankings, showing its growing international prestige and regional leadership in higher education. The university reported that the rate of labor market satisfaction with its graduates reached 85 percent, indicating a strong alignment between academic output and industry needs and reflecting the quality and relevance of its educational programs. Additionally, 70 percent of undergraduate academic programs at SQU were accredited, a testament to the rigorous quality assurance processes in place and the high standards maintained across its faculties.

In terms of research productivity, the university recorded the publication of 1,851 research papers in peer-reviewed journals during 2025. Expanding on this, approximately 3,390 scientific papers were published during 2024–2025 in peer-reviewed journals, showcasing a strong and consistent output of high-quality academic work. 488 scientific papers were presented at specialised conferences during 2024–2025, demonstrating the university's active participation in global academic discourse and its commitment to disseminating new knowledge. SQU also generated revenues exceeding RO 4.5 million, contributing to its financial sustainability and enabling further investment in its academic and research infrastructure. Private sector involvement in research funding also saw significant progress, with 20 percent of scientific research funding attributed to private contributions, noting successful collaborations with industry partners. This research output translated into practical applications, leading to the establishment of seven start-up companies based directly on university research, fostering innovation and economic diversification. The university successfully registered 14 patents, showing its capacity for innovation and the protection of intellectual property generated by its researchers. The university also attracted government funding exceeding OMR2.1 million for research, further solidifying its role as a key contributor to national research priorities.

Since its establishment, SQU has graduated a total of 74,005 students, contributing significantly to the national workforce across various sectors. Of these graduates, 66,526 hold undergraduate degrees, forming the majority of its alumni and representing a substantial investment in human capital. Postgraduate degrees account for 7,479 graduates, reflecting the university's commitment to advanced education and specialized training key for high-level research and professional roles. For the 2025–2026 academic year, SQU admitted 3,133 male and female students, continuing its role in educating the next generation of professionals and researchers and maintaining a steady intake of new talent. In the same academic year, 957 students were enrolled in postgraduate programmes, including 113 international students, noting the university's appeal as a regional hub for advanced studies and its diverse academic community. The university currently offers 70 major specialisations at the undergraduate level, providing a wide array of choices for prospective students. For postgraduate studies, SQU offers 123 programs, comprising 47 doctoral and 73 master's programs, catering to a broad spectrum of academic and professional interests at an advanced level.

Strategic Partnerships and Outreach

Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) currently maintains 83 active cooperation programs and agreements, demonstrating its extensive network of collaborations both nationally and internationally. During 2024 and 2025, the university signed 51 new cooperation programs and agreements, further expanding its collaborative network and forging new alliances across various sectors. In the same period, 478 male and female students engaged in international academic experiences, enriching their education through global exposure and cross-cultural learning.

The university provided 36 research consultations to government entities, contributing to public sector development by offering expert scientific advice and solutions to national challenges. SQU also implemented 22 directed strategic projects specifically designed to address national challenges, showcasing its commitment to applying research and expertise for societal benefit. For private sector institutions, the university delivered 101 scientific research consultations, providing valuable insights and solutions to industry. This engagement secured OMR1,792,944 in total funding from the private sector for these consultations, illustrating the economic value and practical impact of the university's research capabilities.

Community engagement initiatives included the implementation of 140 continuing education programs during 2024 and 2025, which benefited more than 12,000 participants, fostering lifelong learning and professional development within the community. Over 100 community service programs were also implemented by SQU, directly addressing community needs and improving quality of life. Additionally, the university conducted 430 training programs and 50 awareness programs as part of its outreach efforts, further disseminating knowledge and building capacity within society. In 2024 and 2025, 51 cooperation programs and initiatives were signed, reflecting the university's ongoing commitment to partnerships and its proactive approach to collaboration. Academic partnerships have been established with regional universities, fostering knowledge exchange and joint research initiatives within the broader Gulf region. Local cooperation extends to initiatives with the Jusoor Foundation and the Centre of Excellence in Evolutionary Paediatric Medicine, demonstrating the university's commitment to local community development and specialized medical research. International collaborations encompass earthquake monitoring with Pakistan, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, contributing to regional safety and scientific understanding. Academic and research partnerships in clinical medicine and nursing are in place with universities in Canada and the United States of America, including the University of Nebraska, enhancing global medical education and research.

Infrastructure and Future Development

Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) reported that 80 students admitted have visual or physical disabilities, showing its commitment to inclusive education and accessibility. In the 2025–2026 academic year, 957 students were enrolled in postgraduate programs, including 113 international students, reflecting the university's growing appeal as a hub for advanced studies. The university currently provides 70 major specialisations at the undergraduate level, offering a broad and diverse curriculum. For postgraduate studies, SQU offers 123 programs, comprising 47 doctoral and 73 master's programs, catering to a wide range of academic and professional fields.

The university's infrastructure also supports its academic mission, with visitor numbers to its libraries reaching 1,417,075, indicating a vibrant intellectual environment and extensive use of its resources. The collection of electronic and printed university theses totalled 4,441,426, providing a vast repository of scholarly work and research data. SQU has also made strides in sustainability, reducing its energy consumption by 14.45 percent, demonstrating its commitment to environmental responsibility and efficient resource management. Annual savings from this energy efficiency are estimated at approximately OMR611,000, illustrating the financial benefits of its sustainable practices.

In terms of digital infrastructure, the university launched several new systems. These include a student data system to streamline administrative processes, a scientific research management system to enhance research coordination, a digital repository for archiving academic outputs, an innovation management platform to foster new ideas, and a scientific journal management platform to support scholarly publishing. Sultan Qaboos University employs a total of 3,033 individuals, comprising academic, administrative, and technical staff dedicated to its mission. The Omanisation rate in administrative and technical positions at the university stands at 97 percent, reflecting a strong commitment to national workforce development and employment. The university recruited 173 permanent employees during 2024 and 2025, reinforcing its human resources to meet growing demands.

Campus Expansion and Sustainability

Sultan Qaboos University completed several construction projects in 2025, enhancing its learning and research environments. These included equipping active learning classrooms across six colleges to promote interactive pedagogy and establishing an active learning laboratory for experimental education. Further developments involved a food innovation laboratory to support research in food science, rehabilitation of the animal laboratory, upgrades to meeting and study rooms in the main library to improve user experience, improvements to sports facilities to promote student well-being, and the creation of business incubators to nurture entrepreneurial ventures.

Ongoing construction projects show continued expansion and modernization. These include a new College of Law building to accommodate growing student numbers, a ground station for receiving satellite images to bolster research capabilities, new laboratories for the College of Engineering to support advanced research, and an expansion of the College of Nursing to address healthcare needs. Additionally, the university is rehabilitating female student residential complexes and constructing a new office building to enhance administrative efficiency.

Future projects envision significant campus development, including a male student residential city, a new female student residence, an emerging technologies unit to focus on future-oriented research, and a research centers complex to consolidate scientific efforts. Plans also include a veterinary clinic, new facilities for the Earthquake Monitoring Centre to enhance its critical work, and expansions for the College of Arts and the College of Economics, alongside further campus adaptations for people with disabilities to ensure an inclusive environment. The university bears the responsibility of preserving humanities such as history, the Arabic language, and Islamic education, integrating these cultural and historical mandates into its broader academic mission. Partnerships include collaboration with Sohar Port for student exchange, skills development, and scientific research support, fostering practical experience and industry relevance.