Oman Daily Observer
REFLECTIONS — By Dr Rajan Philips —
Twenty-five years is quite a short period when we consider universities that boast of centuries of tradition. For instance the University of Karaouine in Fes, Morocco, and Al Azhar University, in Egypt, among the oldest in the world have been around for about 10 centuries. Likewise, the Oxford and Cambridge Universities, the two oldest in the English-speaking world, have evolved over several centuries to attain their current prestigious status.
In contrast, the silver jubilee celebrations of the iconic Sultan Qaboos University, is singularly significant for Oman which has just completed 41 glorious years of its modern Renaissance under the dynamic leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos.
This is a time of immense joy and pride for the SQU community and the nation as a whole. This is a time to reflect on its role in transforming Oman’s education scene. Above all, it is an occasion to express genuine gratitude towards His Majesty the Sultan, whose magnificent vision led to its establishment. His ongoing and steadfast support exemplified by his two historic visits has ensured its incredible stride towards academic excellence, unparalleled by any other university, in the short span of 25 years.
These sentiments were clearly expressed at the November 16 inaugural ceremony of the silver jubilee celebrations. The Vice-Chancellor, Dr Ali bin Saud al Bimani, and other distinguished speakers highlighted the comprehensive and rapid progress made by SQU while playing a pioneering role in education, research and community service.
He outlined the social, cultural, scientific and sports events that would mark the jubilee year and the prospect of visits by eminent academics, intellectuals and Nobel laureates. The aim is to foster international co-operation and elevate it as an acclaimed learning and research university in the region. He also unveiled the ambitious target to have 100,000 students graduate from its portals in another 25 years. It is worth noting here that so far SQU has produced 32,000 graduates The occasion was made memorable by the issue of a commemorative stamp and a gold coin and a comprehensive photographic exhibition tracing various facets of SQU’s fascinating growth.
It is obvious that the dreams and aspirations that His Majesty echoed when he inaugurated the University way back in 1986 and dedicated it to the ‘sons and daughters of this land’, are being fulfilled. He had clearly emphasised the goal of providing the best education without compromising the Omani heritage and ethos.
Over the years each of the constituents of the university — the nine colleges, 15 research and service centres, four deanships and seven libraries, have blazed a new trail in education. Without dwelling in ivory towers the SQU community has also taken up issues that make a difference to the social, economic and cultural fabric of the nation.
The College of Education, for instance has produced significant number of trained teachers and professionals who in turn have spurred the all-round expansion of the Omani education system. All these bodies organise high- profile international conferences and seminars in different disciplines that incorporate academically enriching and socially relevant themes. The much acclaimed Annual International Conference hosted by the Language Centre since 2001 is a good case in point.
As Sultan Qaboos University enters a new phase of its glorious onward march let us hope that it will continue its pioneering role and grow in stature fulfilling in good measure all the educational dreams and aspirations of His Majesty and the nation.
Quotes:
l Education is not filling of a pail but the lighting of a fire. — W B Yeats
l Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself. — John Dewey
