The Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation in Oman, in partnership with Gulf College, recently organized a symposium in Muscat to discuss the efforts being made to support scientific research in the country. The symposium aimed to introduce a platform called “Shuaa” or Beam, which would serve as an open-source repository for scientific research in Oman. This platform would provide resources for establishing professional scientific journals, measuring indicators of scientific publishing, and addressing the challenges and opportunities facing scientific publishing in Oman.
The symposium was held under the auspices of Dr. Rahma Ibrahim Al Mahrouqi, Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, who emphasized the importance of supporting academic research in Oman. She highlighted the need for researchers to have guidance in navigating the vast landscape of journals and citations and overcoming challenges that may hinder their research efforts. Dr. Rahma also stressed the significance of developing local peer-reviewed scientific journals that focus on Omani research and promote academic dialogue, ultimately contributing to society and the economy.
Eight sessions were conducted during the symposium, each focusing on different aspects of scientific publishing. These sessions aimed to outline the Ministry’s support program for scientific publishing, understand the quality of scientific journals, improve rankings in research endeavors, establish a research repository, highlight research that contributes to economic value, and promote peer-reviewed scientific journals based in academic institutions. The symposium also explored the use of QS classification and the Global Innovation Index in research, as well as analyzed feedback on research conducted at universities to identify challenges and opportunities.
Overall, the symposium served as a platform for discussion and collaboration among researchers, academics, and policymakers in Oman to advance scientific research and publishing in the country. By addressing key issues and challenges, such as the need for guidance for researchers and the importance of establishing local peer-reviewed journals, the symposium aimed to enhance the status of Omani research and drive positive impacts on society and the economy. Through ongoing efforts and initiatives like the “Shuaa” platform, Oman is poised to strengthen its research capabilities and contribute to the global scientific community significantly.
