The Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) and the University of Nizwa signed a memorandum of cooperation (MoC) to facilitate the exchange of expertise, develop joint training and research programmes and foster participation in professional events.
The MoC also sought to establish partnerships, develop national competencies, integrate specialized expertise with academic knowledge and to support the objectives of Oman Vision 2040.
The MoC was signed Air Commodore Khalid bin Mohammed Al Abri, Senior Staff Officer at RAFO Command, and Professor Dr. Ahmed Khalfan Al Rawahi, Vice-Chancellor of Nizwa University, Oman News Agency (ONA) reported.
The University of Nizwa (UoN) was established in the Sultanate of Oman in 2004 as a faculty governed not-for-profit private university. It is located 140 km from the national capital of Muscat in the interior region of Al-Dakhiliya near the historic former capital of Nizwa. The University seeks to provide a progressive and safe learning environment that is respectful of the traditions and values of the Sultanate.
Since its inception, the guiding philosophy of UoN has been to provide students with a high quality education that prepares them to contribute meaningfully to the economic, artistic and aesthetic growth of the country. Graduates, irrespective of their majors, are expected to be capable lifelong learners with skills in numeracy, communications, critical thinking and problem solving. Alumni will possess an appreciation of their culture, values on which it is founded and shared values of humanity in general.
In the short time since the inaugural class of 1,200 students began taking courses on 16 October 2004 the University has expanded tremendously, both in physical size and in the number and diversity of programs offered to students. At this time the University offers over 30 undergraduate majors and 6 masters programs to a student body of nearly 6500. Construction is underway nearby on a new state of the art campus to support the continued growth of the university and its academic offerings.
A 2011 Quality Audit Report, the Oman Academic Accreditation Authority (OAAA) commended the University of Nizwa, “for its well-considered and integrated Mission, Vision and Values statements that drive its planning and operations as a non-profit, regional centre of higher education in the Sultanate of Oman.”
In another development, Vice Admiral Abdullah Khamis Al Raisi, Chief of Staff of the Sultan’s Armed Forces (SAF), received in his office at Al Murtafaa Camp, Air Vice Marshal Mohammed Saeed Al Moghedi, Secretary-General of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC), and his accompanying delegation.
During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views and discussed a number of matters of common interest.
The Secretary-General of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition, and his accompanying delegation also visited the Maritime Security Centre (MSC) Upon his arrival at the Centre’s headquarters, he was received by Commodore Abdullah Ali Al Hajri, Head of the Maritime Security Centre (MSC).
The Secretary-General of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition and his accompanying delegation listened to a briefing on the roles of the Centre and its various efforts aimed at maintaining the safety of the marine environment in regional waters. The guest also toured the Maritime Security Centre and was briefed on its facilities as well as the modern technologies and systems it is equipped with.
