Welcome to the Sultan Qaboos University Postgraduate Studies and Research website, which outlines our postgraduate programs and research activities.

Realizing the importance of postgraduate studies for building a research culture and developing the skills required for Oman's rapid development, the university has been offering master’s programs since 1992 and a key recent development is the creation of doctoral programs in four science-based colleges, with more soon to follow in the humanities colleges. These programs emphasize academic excellence and address issues of national strategic importance.

We currently have more than 700 students enrolled in fifty-one master's programs covering medicine, engineering, science, the environment, agriculture, marine sciences, commerce, economics, education, information technology, and the humanities and social sciences. Postgraduate diplomas are awarded to students who satisfy certain coursework requirements only.  We have thirty-three doctoral students enrolled in our science-based colleges.

SQU has promoted research activity by providing management structures, funding schemes, qualified staff, state-of-the-art infrastructure, regulations, electronic management systems, research centers and chairs.  Our aim is to create a sustainable research culture able to contribute to the country’s development plans and to Omani society in general. Financial support may arise from HM Strategic Research Fund, University Internal Funds, External Contracts, Consultancy and Services.

Research in key disciplines is coordinated and facilitated through nine centers which serve as focal points for researchers within SQU and Oman and for interested international scholars. Research output addressing issues of importance to the Sultanate and the Gulf region is peer-reviewed and published in international outlets, including six SQU journals.

The University has a medium-range strategic plan that charts its path for the period 2009–2013. The plan outlines strategies for building research capacity and for nurturing research excellence to benefit Omani society.

This site is designed to assist postgraduate students and researchers to find information and advice on postgraduate programs and on research support available at SQU. I hope you find it informative and useful.    

Prof. Amer Ali Al-Rawas

Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Postgraduate Studies and Research  
Sultan Qaboos University  
P.O. Box 17 Al-Khod, 123, Sultanate of Oman  
Tel: 968-2414-2111, Fax: 968-244-13122, Email: ameraar@squ.edu.om