SHEIKH AMOR IN ZANZIBAR
Sheikh Amor was born in Zanzibar on 19 February 1915. He received his basic
education in Zanzibar and ended at the Teacher's Training College where he had a
good foundation of an all-round education for three years.
Sheikh Amor had been in the field of education all his life, starting as ordinary teacher
and gradually rising to a head-teacher, Principal of the Teacher's Training College,
Education Officer-in -Charge of all schools in Zanzibar and finally, the Under-Secretary
of Education.
In recognition of his abilities and competence, the British administration in Zanzibar
awarded him scholarships to Bakhter-Ruda Education Institute in Sudan in the early
1940's and then to London University in 1947.
When he left Zanzibar for Oman in 1970, he left a legacy of a man who molded the lives
of the majority of people in Zanzibar, both civil-servants and politicians; and whose
respect for him is still a legend.
SHEIKH AMOR IN THE SULTANATE OF OMAN
Initially, in 1973 Sheikh Amor was employed as Director of Information in the Ministry of
Information. During this period, and upon His Majesty's directions, he extended the
Radio services from being just covering the capital area to cover the whole of the
Sultanate, including Dhofar. He was also able to introduce the Coloured TV and
established the Information City in Qurum.
His Majesty the Sultan later on, appointed him as Ambassador to Germany. However,
before he took office, he was transferred to the Ministry of Education, first as the
Director General and then as The Under-secretary. Like the rest of the country at that
time, everything was in its infancy and the Ministry of Education was no exception.
Sheikh Amor was involved in urgent construction of primary schools across the
Sultanate, gradually phasing in secondary schools followed by the Teacher Training
Colleges for boys as well as for girls. Later on, Vocational Colleges were established to
qualify young men and women to gradually take up jobs which were mainly filled by
foreigners.
Besides his normal duties, Sheikh Amor was also nominated member of The
Consultative Council and, on completion of the first term, he was nominated VicePresident in the second term of four years.
In May 1982, His Majesty the Sultan assigned Sheikh Amor the post of Secretary
General of The Foundation Committee for the Establishment of Sultan Qaboos
University. He started the project from inception to maturity. He began with
reconnaissance of the area to the drawing board for the plans, supervising the
construction work, as well as furnishing the entire university. Sheikh Amor also travelled
world-wide gathering ideas that would help establish a first class institution most
suitable for the Sultanate's requirements consistent with Oman's culture and traditions.
Besides, he made sure that all deans and professors were literally hand-picked with an
aim of setting the high standard of the university as directed by His Majesty the Sultan
himself.
His Majesty the Sultan appointed Sheikh Amor as Vice-Chancellor (a ministerial
position) of the Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) in January 1986 when it first opened,
and in that capacity, he led the teams that laid the academic foundations of the
University in its early life.
At a regional and international level, Sheikh Amor was a member of multi-educational
organization and attended various conferences and symposia in education matters. He
played a prominent role in the establishment of the Arab Gulf University in Bahrain.
In appreciation of his efforts, a fellowship from St. Cross College of Oxford University
was conferred upon him and an honorary Doctorate of Philosophy was awarded to him
by the University of Bedford in the United Kingdom.
At the age of 73 years and with the onset of ill-health, he left SQU in 1988 but continued
working as an advisor to the ministry. After a long illness, he died in the early evening of
Saturday, 12 February, 2000 at the age of 85.
Sheikh Amor was a guiding light and spirit and, above all, his dignified, professional and
personal conduct inspired all who were lucky to be associated with him. He will always
be remembered as a man of charisma, cherished and respected by people of all ages,
races and class. Among many of his qualities Sheikh Amor was bold, determined and
persevering. He was never afraid of challenges and he always thrived when given
responsibilities. This is well illustrated in the achievements during his lifetime. He was
always down to earth and pleasant, and to many he has been very helpful.
We all pray to Allah, The Almighty to bestow upon his soul His Blessings, Mercy and
Forgiveness - AMIN.
Highlights of achievements during the term of the late Sheikh Aamer Al-Marhoubi
(1986-1987)
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The Supervision of the foundation stages of Sultan Qaboos University Project
The official Royal inauguration of the University by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos
Bin Said
The Royal visit by his Royal Highness, the British Crown Prince Charles, and his
wife Lady Diana to the University