Overview
Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) is the premier national university of the Sultanate of Oman, established in 1986 by Royal Decree of the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said. Located in Al Khoudh near Muscat, the university is the oldest and most prestigious institution of higher education in the country. SQU offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across nine colleges covering medicine, engineering, science, arts, education, economics, law, agriculture, and nursing. The university maintains active research programmes and partnerships with international academic institutions, contributing to knowledge production and human capital development in alignment with national priorities.
Key Facts
- Established in 1986 by Royal Decree
- Located in Al Khoudh, Muscat Governorate
- Comprises nine colleges offering programmes across all major disciplines
- Enrols approximately 16,000 students
- Maintains research partnerships with leading international universities
- Operates a teaching hospital providing advanced medical care
- Produces the majority of Oman’s academic research output
Significance for Vision 2040
Sultan Qaboos University is central to Vision 2040’s human capital development and innovation objectives. The university produces graduates who fill critical professional roles across medicine, engineering, education, and other fields essential for economic diversification. SQU’s research output contributes to the knowledge base needed for evidence-based policymaking and technological innovation. Vision 2040 calls for strengthening the linkage between higher education and labour market needs, and SQU’s curriculum development efforts are key to this alignment. The university’s medical college and teaching hospital support healthcare system development, while its engineering and science programmes produce the technical talent needed for industrial diversification. International research collaborations enhance Oman’s visibility in global academic networks.