Oman participates in annual meeting of Global Research Council
Oman's delegation to the meeting is headed by Dr. Saif Abdullah Al Haddabi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation for Research and Innovation.
The meeting, attended by over 50 delegations of heads of national research councils and government funding agencies from various world countries, aims to strengthen international scientific cooperation, facilitate the exchange of expertise and knowledge among research and funding institutions globally, and focus on global ambitions in research, development, and innovation, which many countries seek to achieve.
The agenda includes several side events, panel discussions, and presentations of working papers by keynote speakers on topics related to the use of artificial intelligence in managing and evaluating scientific research and innovation support programs, as well as measuring their impact and outcomes on national economies.
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Times of Oman
7 hours ago
- Times of Oman
Astronomical landscape in Oman: Towards a renewed community culture and scientific vision
Muscat — The Sultanate of Oman is home to numerous astronomical observatories dedicated to studying celestial phenomena and promoting astronomical knowledge. Among them is Al Saa'a 'the clock Observatory in Muscat Governorate, used for studying the movement of planets and stars and serving as an educational center for students and astronomy enthusiasts. Given the importance of this field, Oman Astronomical Society plays crucial roles in enhancing astronomical awareness. These include education and outreach, with the Society offering regular lectures and workshops on various astronomical topics, organizing events such as astronomical observation nights, and fostering scientific research. The Society encourages scientific research in astronomy and helps provide necessary resources for researchers and interested individuals. Its roles also include collaborating with educational institutions, working with schools and universities to enhance astronomy-related curricula, participating in global events like "World Space Week," and publishing astronomical materials, which serve as educational resources for enthusiasts. Astronomy has long received widespread attention from Omanis, playing a pivotal role in daily life. Through it, they organized their affairs, including travel, agriculture, and fishing. For instance, to divide falaj water during the day, they developed the "solar sundial" system, locally known as "Al-Lamd." This system relies on the movement of the shadow of a gnomon (made of iron, wood, or stone) from sunrise to sunset, serving as a timekeeper for farmers' shares of falaj water during the day. This was called "day lecture," distinguishing it from "night lecture," which always referred to using stars to complete the water distribution process in the evening. These stars are known among farmers, numbering around 24 in some wilayats and 26 in others, with this number sometimes increasing in exceptional cases. Examples of these stars include Al-Sarrah Al-Oula, Al-Sarrah Al-Thaniya, Al-Kawi, Aldebaran, Al-Miyathib, Al-Dhulmi, and others. To ensure accuracy in water distribution, farmers identified the star "Al-Munsif," whose appearance signals the halfway point of the "athar," the unit used for dividing falaj water, equivalent to approximately half an hour. The terraced agriculture in mountainous regions like Al Jabal Al Akhdar is a testament to the optimal utilization of solar radiation angles, contributing to the diversity of crops based on pre-determined measurements. In the maritime domain, Omanis were renowned as ship captains. Ahmed bin Majid Al Saadi and Nasser bin Ali Al Khadhouri are just two examples among thousands of sailors and navigators who meticulously documented their knowledge of routes, stars, and seasons for fishing and travel. They used stars as guides in the darkness of the sea and as timings for travel and fishing seasons. They also understood "sea strikes," a term used in Omani and Gulf popular culture to describe violent or sudden marine phenomena that cause disturbances in sea waters, such as strong waves, powerful currents, or sea storms. Sailors would not venture into the sea for travel or fishing during these times, which they identified by the rising or setting of certain stars. Among the most important "strikes" known to ancient Omanis is "Dharbat Al-Ahaimar," a star with a reddish hue. This leads to disagreement about the exact identity of this star; some consider "Al-Ahaimar" to be the star "Antares" in the constellation Scorpius, while others believe it is "Arcturus" in the constellation Boötes, both of which rise at the same time. Other known strikes include "Dharbat Al-Shali," which is the 90th strike of the third hundred in the "Hisbat Al-Durour" (calculation of periods), and is considered the strongest and most violent among known strikes, lasting between four and five days. Furthermore, the strikes of "Hawitaim," "Al-Lakidhib," and "Al-Kawi" are also dangerous for seafarers, which is why Omanis timed their seasons and knew their dates through the rising of stars. Dr. Ishaq Yahya Al Shuaili, Chairman of Oman Astronomical and Space Society, stated that "Omani proverbs have preserved heritage in a simplified way that carries both humor and knowledge. For instance, the beginning of the heat's decline is accompanied by the appearance of the star Suhail, hence the saying: 'If Suhail appears, water and night cool down,' and 'When Al-Kawi appears, cut and roast the wheat,' which refers to the ripening of wheat and the time for its harvest. These and other proverbs convey astronomical heritage to generations, enveloped in years of experience and ancestral knowledge." Al Shuaili believes that the concerted efforts among various educational institutions, civil society, and entities related to science and technology, by expanding the scope of scientific activities and contributions to promote progress in the astronomy and space sectors, will enhance astronomical and space awareness among the new generation in the Sultanate of Oman, in line with the goals of the "National Space Policy." This, he said, can be achieved by integrating and developing astronomy and space sciences into curricula to introduce students to the basics of astronomy and its applications, and to connect them with space exploration at an early stage. Introducing topics such as satellites, meteorites, space robots, and human exploration missions will stimulate scientific curiosity among students at various academic levels. He explained that practical and community activities play a significant role in embodying and clarifying theoretical concepts. These include scientific astronomical observation workshops, visits to astronomical observatories, astronomical scientific competitions, astronomical summer camps, and other activities that allow participants to fully experience astronomy. He also emphasized activating the role of scientific media through the production of educational documentaries and digital content that highlight the importance of astronomy and space in our daily lives, clarify the impact and role of space applications in various fields of life, and contribute to improving essential sectors such as agriculture, communications, navigation, and disaster management. Furthermore, partnerships with specialized scientific societies and institutions in astronomy and space contribute to enhancing community education, including partnerships with scientific research centers and Oman Astronomical and Space Society, to collaborate on various scientific initiatives for the public, such as observation nights and astronomical festivals in universities and schools, he added. Within the same context, Omar Hamdan Al Hosni, a board member of Oman Astronomical and Space Society, noted that "qualifying and training teachers in astronomy and space is a strategic investment in spreading space awareness throughout society, as teachers play a crucial role in transmitting a passion for science. Therefore, qualifying them in astronomy and space, and providing them with modern educational tools, would contribute to enhancing community awareness." Al Hosni pointed out that astronomy and space sciences are undergoing a significant global transformation, with an increasing number of countries entering this field, benefiting from technological development, especially through small satellites (CubeSats) and commercial space projects. From this perspective, the Sultanate of Oman can keep pace with these transformations by adopting the "National Space Policy," which the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology has done through the "National Space Program." The National Space Policy has been adopted, focusing on supporting scientific research, developing the necessary infrastructure, and qualifying national competencies in the space sector, he pointed out. He explained that engaging in educational space projects has a significant impact on developing the local space sector, such as designing and manufacturing educational satellites in cooperation with universities in the Sultanate of Oman. This, he said, would contribute to training students in all stages of space systems, from design, manufacturing, and testing to receiving and analyzing space data. Contributing to strengthening Oman's role as a regional center for research and development in astronomy and space will empower national competencies in scientific and innovative projects, Al Hosni affirmed.
Times of Oman
4 days ago
- Times of Oman
Earthquake recorded in Arabian Sea
Muscat: An earthquake was recorded in the Arabian Sea on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, the Earthquake Monitoring Centre (EMC) at Sultan Qaboos University said. A statement issued online by the EMC said: "An earthquake in the Arabian Sea with a magnitude of 5.3, at 2.02 pm MCT and at a depth of 10 km has been recorded. The earthquake was recorded 235 km away from Salalah."
Times of Oman
6 days ago
- Times of Oman
Dialogue session highlights culture, library sciences and sustainable development
Muscat — The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth today organized a dialogue session titled 'Culture, Library Sciences, and Sustainable Development" as part of the 'Civilizational Horizons" programme. The session addressed the challenges libraries face in the wake of the digital revolution and the widespread use of the internet, exploring how libraries have adapted to these transformations to provide reliable information beyond geographical constraints. It also highlighted their growing role in supporting education, scientific research, and innovation. The discussion touched on the strong connection between culture, library sciences, and information, emphasising the role of libraries as cultural institutions that have historically enriched human civilisation while promoting values of pluralism, tolerance, and freedom of expression. The session also shed light on the vital role libraries play in achieving sustainable development goals by organising knowledge and managing vast intellectual output through smart systems that keep pace with technological advancements. Additionally, the session explored how libraries contribute to advancing artificial intelligence models, leveraging their extensive databases, and their role in training users to utilize these technologies to produce reliable and well-researched content. Discussions also covered the state of library and information sciences in the Sultanate of Oman, the national information strategy, and digital transformation under 'Oman Vision 2040", along with key challenges facing the library sector in the country. The session further reviewed investment opportunities in cultural and creative industries and the role of libraries in this field.
