Overview
Sultan Qaboos University’s improved performance in the QS World University Rankings in 2024 marked a significant achievement for Oman’s higher education sector, reflecting sustained investment in research quality, faculty development, and international collaboration. As the Sultanate’s flagship public university, SQU’s global standing serves as a benchmark for the entire higher education system and influences Oman’s ability to attract international students, researchers, and academic partnerships.
Key Points
The QS ranking methodology evaluates universities on academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty-to-student ratio, citations per faculty, international faculty, and international student proportions. SQU improved across multiple indicators, with particular gains in research citation impact and employer reputation. Investment in research infrastructure including laboratories, libraries, and digital resources supported the improvement. International research collaborations increased, with joint publications and exchange programmes connecting SQU with leading institutions worldwide.
Current Status
The improved ranking has boosted SQU’s visibility in global academic networks and strengthened its position in recruiting international faculty and graduate students. The university has expanded postgraduate programmes in priority fields aligned with national development needs. Research commercialisation efforts have produced patents and spin-off companies. The ranking improvement has encouraged other Omani universities to invest in research and quality assurance, raising standards across the sector.
Vision 2040 Context
Vision 2040 places higher education at the centre of knowledge-economy development. SQU’s improved global standing demonstrates that Omani institutions can compete internationally and contribute to the global knowledge base. Continued investment in university quality supports the broader strategy of producing graduates who drive innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic diversification.