Geography Department was established in S.Q.U. in 1986 as one of two units which constituted the then so called Department of History and Geography. This modest beginning continued till 1993 when the Geography unit was instituted to a full-fletched academic department with a significant instructional and research mission. Since then, Geography remained a strong and viable discipline in the College of Arts and Social Sciences. There is now, and at one time, circa 320 majors in the undergraduate Program and another 300 from other Departments and colleges who are enrolled in the different courses offered by the Department.
Geography is an intellectual discipline with very broad scope and depth. It combines aspects of the social sciences and the natural sciences. It enhances our knowledge of the earth we live in and broadens our view of the social, political and economic aspects of different cultures and societies. In addition, the study of Geography provides students with effective tools such as cartography, Geographic Information Systems and quantitative and qualitative methods to analyze processes that influence the environment. These skills help to prepare students for jobs in the public and private sectors that deal with environmental and social research, planning, development and management activities.
So, as we look forward into the 21st Century, the Department of Geography is well placed to address key issues confronting Omani society. We look forward to play an instrumental role in the efforts of SQU in forging the future of Oman’s society and economy. This effort is entirely consistent with the recognition that Geography, particularly in the new GIS science era, plays a central role.
The Department’s teaching and training provisions accord with the University’s aim of achieving regional and international standing. Facilities in the Department include a GIS laboratory with 30 personal computers, a cartography/ remote sensing laboratory with 20 personal computers, a map library and store and special shelves in the College and Main Libraries containing a wide selection of Geography related books and scientific journals. In addition, the Department has 14 members of staff, one Demonstrator and two GIS and Remote Sensing technicians, who come from American, British, German, and French and Arab schools of thought.