Latest news with #AlAzri
Times of Oman
17 hours ago
- Times of Oman
Misfat Al Abriyeen village restoration project discussed
Al Hamra: A coordination meeting was held in the Wilayat of Al Hamra on Tuesday to discuss the progress made in a project for the restoration and beautification of Misfat Al Abriyeen village. The project is aimed at enhancing the tourist attractions of the antique village located in the Wilayat of Al Hamra, A'Dakhiliyah Governorate. The meeting was chaired by Sheikh Suleiman Said Al Azri, Wali of Al Hamra. Al Azri said that Misfat Al Abriyeen Village Restoration Project reflects a common vision to revive traditional architectural and urban heritage in Oman. He added that this project seeks to strike a balance between preserving the heritage and providing modern services and consolidate Misfat Al Abriyeen Village's position as a tourist destination and a heritage landmark of interest to local and international visitors.
Observer
21-07-2025
- Business
- Observer
You can change higher ed preference from today
MUSCAT: The preference modification phase for registration and admission for the 2025/2026 academic year will begin today and continue until July 31. The results of the initial sorting will be announced on August 19, while accepted students will have the opportunity to complete their procedures starting from August 19 until August 24. Ahmed bin Mohammed al Azri, Director-General of the Higher Education Admission Centre (HEAC) at the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, stated that the number of available seats received from government higher education institutions, domestic scholarships, private sector grants for private higher education institutions, and external scholarships and grants from Arab countries for the 2025/2026 academic year has reached 29,252 seats. Of these, 16,884 seats are in various government higher education institutions, 607 are for external scholarships and grants, while the number of domestic scholarships and grants for study at private universities and colleges in the Sultanate of Oman stands at 11,761. He added that the preference modification phase is one of the most critical stages of registration, allowing students to finalise their programme choices in the system for the initial sorting competition. He noted that the updates this year focus on two main aspects, namely admission procedures and academic programmes. As for academic programme updates, he pointed out that higher education institutions (scholarship providers) have aligned programmes with labour market demands. New domestic scholarship programmes for bachelor's degrees include Emergency Medical Services Science, Environmental Management and Practices, and Human Medicine at Dhofar University. Domestic scholarships have also been introduced for students with learning difficulties to study at private higher education institutions. Al Azri further added that new external scholarships have been introduced for specialisations overseen by the External Scholarships Department at the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, such as Healthcare, Health Planning, Health Risk Management, Therapeutic Nutrition, Law and Actuarial Studies. He said that the ministry, represented by the Domestic Scholarships Department, has also directed scholarships toward high-demand specialisations in the labour market, including Process Engineering, Production Operations, Occupational Health and Safety, Welding, Mining, Renewable Energy, Quality Control Management, Tourism and Hospitality Management and Legal Assistant Studies. Additionally, new professional diploma scholarships for Air Transport Pilot Licences have been introduced at the Oman Aviation Academy. He noted that government higher education institutions have expanded their programmes and specialisations. The Military Technological College has increased its capacity this year, opening admissions for female students alongside males in various engineering disciplines (bearing in mind that these are not coupled with employment). The University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS) has added a new engineering specialisation at its branch in Musandam Governorate. The university has also introduced an advantage for social security family students, allowing them to apply without allocated seats in engineering programmes; upon acceptance, they may choose the nearest branch of the university to their residence. The trial sorting results showed that 1,936 students with an 80 per cent grade or higher did not receive a preliminary programme offer. 76 per cent of them had listed too few preferences, focusing on highly competitive, limited specialisations. Additionally, 247 students with a 90 per cent grade or higher did not receive a preliminary offer, with 84 per cent of them listing fewer than 30 preferences. This highlights the need for students to include more programme options and diversify their choices across institutions and disciplines. Al Azri urged students to maximise their programme selections (meeting admission requirements) and prioritise them by preference to enhance their chances of securing a seat. He also stressed the importance of diversifying choices across institutions and specialisations and encouraged following the centre's website for updates on registration and admission stages.
Observer
17-06-2025
- General
- Observer
Oman marks World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought
The Sultanate of Oman has called for intensified afforestation and land restoration efforts as the world observes World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought on June 17, reinforcing its commitment to a more sustainable and climate-resilient future. Speaking to the Observer, Masoud Sulaiman Abood al Azri, DG of Marketing for Agriculture and Fisheries and spokesman for the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources (MoAFWR), emphasised that desertification is a critical environmental challenge facing nations worldwide. With the global population expected to reach 10 billion by 2050, the demand for nutritious food and clean water is increasing rapidly, making land restoration an urgent priority rather than an option. 'In Oman, we have devised multiple strategies to combat desertification through various projects and initiatives,' the official said. 'These include reforestation, rangeland restoration, awareness campaigns and active collaboration between public and private sectors.' He noted that Oman has integrated desertification control into its national strategy, with a focus on environmental protection, sustainable land use and natural resource management. Among the major initiatives undertaken by Oman are: Tree planting in arid regions such as Al Rumayl and Hayal to increase vegetation cover; Rangeland restoration projects in Dhofar targeting issues such as soil erosion, biodiversity loss and vegetation decline; Community awareness campaigns promoting sustainable agriculture; and Support for water-efficient crops and eco-friendly farming technologies. 'These efforts are essential in promoting food security, conserving biodiversity and building climate resilience,' Al Azri said. Globally, the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 2025 is being led by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). This year's official observance is taking place in Bogotá, Colombia, where policymakers, civil society organisations and indigenous representatives are gathering to advocate for land restoration as a cornerstone of sustainable development and lasting peace. Held under the theme 'Restore the Land; Unlock the Opportunities', the event highlights the economic, social and environmental benefits of restoring degraded lands for both people and the planet. A UNCCD statement said: 'Every $1 used to restore land yields a return of $7 to $30 through enhanced ecosystem services and livelihoods, making for an investment case that the world cannot afford to overlook.' The organisation estimates that to restore 1.5 billion hectares of land by 2030, the world must invest approximately $1 billion per day. In alignment with this vision, Oman's afforestation and restoration efforts demonstrate how local initiatives can contribute meaningfully to global goals — ensuring food security, preserving ecosystems and fostering sustainable economic growth for future generations.
