Muscat – Arab Open University (AOU) celebrated the grand opening of its new campus in Maabela last week.

The celebration was held under the patronage of Rahma bint Ibrahim al Mahrouqi, Minster of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, in the presence of Prince Abdulaziz bin Talal al Saud, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the university.

The ceremony began with the unveiling of a memorial plaque of the new campus by the minister in the presence of Prince Abdulaziz, Prof Mohammed al Badi, rector of AOU Oman, Prof Mohammed al Zakri, president of AOU in the Arab world, and several officials.

On the occasion, Prof Badi delivered a speech in which he referred to the importance of the university campus and its role in supporting the educational process as an essential enabler for achieving the university’s vision to be “a pioneering Arab Open University in the excellence of education for all and the development of a knowledge society”.

Prof Badi also stressed in his speech that the university’s vision is in line with Oman Vision 2040, which aims to create comprehensive higher education, sustainable learning and scientific research that leads to a knowledge society and competitive national capabilities.

He informed that the construction of the campus of AOU has taken into account the highest specifications of the learning environment in order to stimulate the creative and innovative capabilities of students and associates of the university. “It includes 13 laboratories equipped with the latest technologies, and 36 classrooms fitted with modern systems that guarantee the empowerment of students and the enhancement of their skills. These are provided with the latest technological systems, electronic educational materials, and smart screens for interactive classes.”

He added that the facilities of the new campus “allow students to engage in activities and events that support their capabilities and strengthen their skills, and the university is keen to allocate training halls equipped with the latest technologies to enable the activation of training programmes and community service.”

He also confirmed that a strategic partnership with the Open University of the United Kingdom has enabled AOU to carry out its mission, and the university’s completion of the requirements for obtaining institutional accreditation from the Omani Authority for Academic Accreditation and Quality Assurance of Education (AAAQA) in 2022 will allow expansion of AOU’s programmes.

Delivering a speech, Prince Abdulaziz said, “The opening of our new campus in Oman is further evidence of our keenness to develop the knowledge society by providing a stimulating environment for research and an incubator for innovation, which contributes to achieving sustainable development, and continues the university’s march in Oman, which began in 2008. On this happy occasion, we extend our thanks to the leadership of the country, headed by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, who contributes, along with the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, to supporting and financing the Arab Gulf Programme for Development (AGFUND).”

AOU is a non-profit educational institution owned by AGFUND, which is based in Riyadh. Its activities are funded by the Gulf Cooperation Council and Ministry of Social Development represents Oman in the membership of the programme. AOU is headquartered in Kuwait, and has eight universities, including the one in Oman.