The Department of Chemistry began with the establishment of Sultan Qaboos University. Four departments were initially established in the College of Science and the Department of Chemistry had been the major hallmark of the college since its inception.
Infrastructure, Location and Facilities
The Department occupies the second floor of the College of Science building, consists of six laboratories for undergraduate teaching, several research labs, and one glass-blowing workshop. These laboratories are equipped with wide-ranging facilities including specialized instruments such as 60MHz NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrometer), IR (Infra-Red Spectrometer), HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatograph), GC/MS (Gas Chromatographs / Mass Spectrometer), flame photometers and UV/Vis (Ultra Violet / Visible) spectrophotometers and a laser optics lab. Over the years most of these instruments were replaced by state-of-the-art instruments including 400 MHz NMR, GC/MS, CHN analyzer, AAs, CE, CV Voltammetric Analyzer, Bipotentiostat, Rotating Disk Electrode, Low Current Module, etc.
HoD & Faculties
The development of the Department of Chemistry has been remarkable. During the earlier years, the department had seven faculty members, five technical staff and one coordinator all of them were expatriates. The number of faculty grew from seven to twenty-nine including thirteen Omanis. The number of technical staff increased from five to seventeen technicians. The number of undergraduate students increased from eight to 75 students per cohort, and the number of MSc candidates grew from five to ten per cohort.
Chronological listing of the departmental Head
Prof. Ralph Stock
|
1986 - 1990
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Prof. Stan Anderson
|
1990 - 1992
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Prof. Roger Decock
|
1992 - 1994
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Prof. John Rutherford
|
1994 - 1996
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Dr. Abdulrahman Abulnoor
|
1996 - 2001
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Prof. Salma Al-Kindy
|
2001 - 2005
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Prof. Mohamed Khan
|
2005 - 2009
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Prof. Muna Al-Mandhary
|
2009 - 2011
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Prof. Majekodunmi Fatope
|
2011 - 2014
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Dr. Haider Al-Lawati
|
2014 - 2017
|
Prof. Fakhreldin Suliman
|
2017 - 2023 |
Dr. Nawal Al-Rasbi |
2023 - present |
Chemistry department landmarks
First Batch of Chemistry Graduates
|
1991 |
Acquired Its First 400 MHz NMR
|
1997 |
Started MSc Program in Chemistry
|
2000 |
First HM funded Grant in Chemistry
|
2001 |
Establishment of Central Analytical and Research Facility
|
2003 |
A New Degree in Applied Chemistry Was Approved
|
2006 |
Department Started to Offer Ph.D. Program in Chemistry
|
2008 |
First Chemistry Alumni Congress
|
2008 |
First Ph. D. Graduate
|
2013 |
Accreditation of B. Sc. In Chemistry By Canadian Society of Chemistry
|
2014 |
First Chemistry Conference
|
2015 |
Accreditation of M. Sc. Program (Chemistry) By Royal Society of Chemistry
|
2016 |
Accreditation of B. Sc. In Chemistry By the Canadian Society of Chemistry
|
2023 |
Accreditation of B. Sc. In Applied Chemistry By the Canadian Society of Chemistry
|
2023 |