Oman to host major international conference on higher education in 2025

Muscat : In a meeting with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), the Ministry reviewed ongoing partnerships and laid the groundwork for the Oman Declaration Conference on Higher Education, scheduled for October 2025 at Sohar University.

The conference, organized in cooperation with global entities such as UNESCO, the American University of Beirut, and several Arab and international universities, will explore ways to align higher education with the demands of the labour market.

Her Excellency Dr Rahma bint Ibrahim bin Said Al Mahrouqiyah, Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation, hosted Dr. Salim Araji, Regional Director of ESCWA, at the Ministry’s General Diwan to discuss these initiatives.
Dr. Araji presented an initial vision for the Oman Declaration Conference, highlighting topics such as the integration of artificial intelligence in education, reevaluating regional education policies, and enhancing private sector skillsets to align with educational institutions. He emphasized the importance of linking graduates’ skills to labour market needs, with ESCWA offering its technical expertise to assist Oman in analyzing current gaps and crafting actionable recommendations.

Her Excellency stressed the need for diverse educational models that reflect evolving market demands, reinforcing the Ministry’s commitment to bridging the gap between academia and industry.