Qaboos stresses importance of science

The Omani monarch was addressing students of the Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), the country’s highest seat of learning, after inaugurating a newly-built cultural centre on the campus.

Envisaged as a ‘scientific, cultural and intellectual lighthouse’, the foundation stone for the ‘Sultan Qaboos Cultural Centre’ was laid in April 2004. Occupying an area of 130,225 metres, the new facility consists of a grand auditorium, a main library and an Omani Studies Centre.

“Our stress on science emanates from our belief that it is the right springboard for acquiring knowledge, expertise and skills that enable the current and future generations to contribute positively to the service of their homeland and society and meet the needs ofdevelopment in a guided manner,” Sultan Qaboos said.

He said the sultanate had always underlined the importance of keeping abreast with the latest developments in science and knowledge, exhorting the audience: “We seek to invigorate your efforts to make valuable addition to this field. Whatever progress made by hard work, still it is nothing compared to the vast sea of science.”

He noted that education and scientific research had been given top priority by the country’s planners and the private sector provided with all encouragement and material and financial support to play its part in this regard. The idea, he said, was to offer “our sons and daughters” the best education as per international quality standards.

Sultan Qaboos urged teaching staff and students at the various scientific institutions in the country to be persistent and exert more effort to attain further progress for the country. Earlier, he unveiled a plaque to mark the opening of the centre.

Dr Ali bin Saud Al Bimani, SQU Vice-Chancellor, observed that the SQU Cultural Centre shouldered a great responsibility in the university’s goal to reach out to the Omani, regional and international community.

He pointed out that SQU had grown remarkably since Sultan Qaboos’ last visit to the university in 2000 when the total number of graduates stood at 8,541 from its seven colleges. The number of bachelor programmes then was 63 and of post-graduate courses 29.

The total count of bachelor, MA and Ph.D degree holders reached 32,526 this year, Bimani said. The number of colleges now stands at nine, bachelor programmes 68, post-graduate programmes 54 and Ph.D programmes 26. Some 15,500 students currently pursue studies at the university.

Bimani said a grant given by Sultan Qaboos for scientific research had significantly contributed in supporting research in importantsectors such as energy, environment, health, industry, agriculture, communications and fisheries. — ravindranath@khaleejtimes.com