Dean Message

 

Dr. Nabhan Harith Al Harrsi

Dean of College of Arts
and Social Sciences 

 

On behalf of all of us at the College of Arts and Social Sciences, I want to welcome you to our website, which will inform you of such matters as our vision and mission, our teaching and research, and our community service.
Like such colleges globally, we take seriously our commitment to the advancement of the liberal arts and their values, and it is a pleasure to report that our teaching is growing in reputation as Oman’s demand for the specialists we produce increases. Appreciating this, the university administration continues to support us energetically, as it has done since the college’s inception in 1987. At that time, while sharing a building with the College of Education, we offered teaching only in Arabic, English Language, Mass Media, Library Science, and Philosophy. Since moving to our present home, opened by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said in 1993, the college has added to the degrees on offer - which now include the MA and PhD alongside the BA - and at the undergraduate level, specialisation is possible in eleven subjects, namely, Arabic Language and Literature, English Language and Literature, Translation, History, Geography, Sociology, Social Work, Information Studies, Mass Media, Tourism, and Musicology. Archaeology, Theatre Arts, and Philosophy offer supportive teaching in the form of minor specializations and elective courses.

As for postgraduate study, in 1992 the college launched Oman’s first MA programs in Arabic Language and Literature, Translation, History, Geography, Sociology, Social Work, Information Studies, and Mass Media. PhD programs in Arabic Language, History, and Information Studies followed in 2011 and 2012.

Reports and statistics confirm the college’s continued expansion in research work, faculty’s productivity widely seen in journal articles, authored and edited books, and conference papers. Several national bodies include college representatives, one example being the joint committee between the university and the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Social Development, the Ministry of Heritage and Culture, the Public Authority for Radio and Television, and the Royal Opera House. Such community service gains from our cooperation with the university’s Center for Community Service and Continuous Learning.

We are also proud of our reputation as the first and, until recently, the only college to admit special needs students, particularly the visually impaired. A number of such students have already graduated, while others are still enrolled. A computer laboratory fully equipped to meet their educational needs has been provided and dedicated support comes from members of our academic, technical and administrative staff.
Students studying with us understand that our drive towards knowledge expansion and human innovation cannot succeed without their relentless efforts.

“Work (righteousness): Soon will Allah observe your work, and His Messenger, and the Believers”.