Muscat – Today marks the beginning of the Future of Higher Education Institutions forum organised by the Royal Academy of Management in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation. The forum takes place on the 1st and 2nd of May and brings together university presidents, deans of public and private colleges, as well as representatives from the public and private sectors at local and regional levels.
It is part of a series of targeted, innovative initiatives and is the first of its kind organised by the Center for Future Readiness at the Royal Academy of Management. It is aligned with the Academy’s commitment to developing national competencies focused on Oman’s future vision, priorities and national targets. The Academy also collaborates with partners from both public and private sectors to foster innovation and proactively anticipate future trends. The forum features eight dynamic discussion sessions, showcasing international speakers renowned for their expertise in leadership, management, investment, higher education, innovation, and technology.
Her Excellency Dr. Rahma bint Ibrahim Al Mahrouqi, Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation, said during her speech, “Education is the cornerstone of development, and the main driver of the progress and prosperity of nations. Higher education institutions play a fundamental role in qualifying human competencies. They fuel innovation by fostering scientific research that tackles real-world challenges and ignite a spirit of entrepreneurship that propels social progress. These institutions stand as a trusted reference for nations, drawing upon their expertise and facilities to find solutions to the most pressing issues. In our current time, the world is witnessing a significant shift towards a knowledge-based economy, where the focus is on leveraging knowledge and innovation to foster economic growth and societal progress. Given this transformation, the role of higher education institutions is becoming increasingly important every day. These institutions, especially universities, are among the most important institutions that play a decisive role in the transition to a knowledge-based economy. They also contribute significantly to the development of society and economic sectors by producing knowledge and transferring it to industry and the job market.”
Her Excellency added, “Based on the objectives of this forum, higher education institutions must work to enhance cooperation with public and private sector institutions to understand emerging developments and trends, enhance their readiness to deal with future developments, seize potential opportunities, and build new visions based on enhancing innovation and supporting economic growth.”
She highlighted the Ministry’s substantial focus on higher education institutions, particularly in the integration of contemporary specialisations stemming from the Fourth Industrial Revolution. These include emerging sciences like nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, big data among others. The utilisation of these fields can result in the introduction of specialised programmes for teaching these sciences or in the development of innovative teaching methods and tools within higher education institutions.
Her Excellency emphasised that the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation are diligently collaborating with higher education institutions to meet the criteria for entry into the QS ranking. The Ministry aims to position four universities among the top 300 globally in the QS ranking, aligning with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040. As a testament to these efforts, six private universities in the Sultanate of Oman have successfully entered the QS ranking for Arab universities. The Ministry remains steadfast in its commitment to achieving its objectives outlined in its strategic plans.
In this regard, His Excellency, Dr. Ali bin Qassim Al Lawati, the President of the Royal Academy of Management, highlighted the pivotal role of the forum, emphasising its genesis from His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik’s profound interest in education. His Majesty’s vision extends beyond mere academic pursuits, recognising education as a vital role in economic growth and societal development. This recognition underscores the importance of nurturing creativity, innovation, and holistic development among the youth to harness future opportunities to boost Oman’s economy. He emphasised that the forum’s objectives are centred around nurturing visionary perspectives, fostering knowledge sharing, and reimagining educational institutional frameworks. This entails a comprehensive review of globally acclaimed best practices, as well as a spotlight on regional and international experiences.
Furthermore, Dr. Ali underscored the transformative role of higher education institutions, emphasising their pivotal position in shaping both individual futures and national aspirations. Today’s higher education institutions serve as crucibles where youthful ambition converges with national progress. Driven by the imperative to keep pace with technological advancements, these institutions are tasked with instilling values of innovation, nurturing entrepreneurship, and preserving cultural heritage while adapting to evolving social needs.
Moreover Dr. Ali emphasised in his speech that higher education institutions are not merely transitional phases for students until they enter the job market, but represent a pivotal stage in shaping their future. Universities serve as the nexus between the aspirations of youth and the aspirations of the nation. Additionally, higher education institutions are striving to keep pace with technological advancements, aligning with the envisioned future. This necessitates a focus on instilling values of innovation, not just research, and fostering a culture of creativity and entrepreneurial leadership. This approach aims to generate employment opportunities, reaffirm our cultural heritage, and adapt to the evolving demands of public life.
He further emphasised the important role of the Royal Academy of Management in developing the concept of launching the Center of Future Readiness. This Center addresses topics related to Oman’s readiness for the new economy and aims to propel Oman to the ranks of advanced nations. Therefore, the forum is part of the Academy’s series of targeted and innovative initiatives aimed at enhancing future readiness among institutions and leaders across various sectors. These initiatives align with the directives that aspire to elevate the Sultanate of Oman to the ranks of advanced nations.
The forum discusses the changes in the higher education sector and facilitates the exchange of knowledge and common challenges. Its aim is to enable leaders to understand emerging developments and trends that impact higher education institutions. It also seeks to enhance partnerships between public and private educational institutions, forge new visions that promote innovation and support economic growth, strengthen the capacity of educational institutions to deal with future challenges, and capitalise on emerging opportunities. Additionally, it aims to understand their impact on national competitiveness and innovation, explore innovative funding and the use of digital technologies to achieve financial sustainability. It also focuses on artificial intelligence, preparing for the future of work, balancing quality with international indicators and market requirements, and explore innovative and future models for higher education institutions.
The forum focuses on several key themes related to emerging global trends shaping the future of higher education institutions. These include the role of higher education institutions in enhancing national competitiveness and innovation and reimagining the future of work and business. It also focuses on the impact of advanced technologies and artificial intelligence on the future of these institutions, as well as the importance of positioning higher education institutions in global rankings and classifications.
The forum’s agenda covers a variety of sessions where international experts share their knowledge and experiences in higher education. They discuss the role of higher education institutions in national competitiveness and innovation, future models of these institutions, governance enhancements and innovative funding methods. There is also a focus on the future of work and learning, and how higher education can adapt to sectoral developments and transformations. Additionally, the discussions address the significance of international rankings in improving the quality and competitiveness of higher education institutions.
The forum features a distinguished lineup of international speakers specialising in leadership, management, investment and higher education. Among them are Dr. Chung Un-chan, the former Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea and former President of Seoul National University; His Excellency, Engineer Abdullatif Al Othman, the former Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees of King Abdulaziz University and former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority; H.E Dr. Jokha Al Shukaili, the CEO of Oman Authority for Academic Accreditation and Educational Quality Assurance (OAAAQA), the founding Dean of Business and Innovation College at NEOM University; the Executive Director of IMD World Competitiveness Center, and the Executive Director for Africa, Middle East, and South Asia at Quacquarelli Symonds QS.
