H.E. Dr. Saud bin Nasser Al-Riyami
H.E. Dr. Saud bin Nasser Al-Riyami, currently the Academic Consultant for Higher
Education Council, is the fourth SQU president and the first president from the
university academic staff. Dr. Riyami started his academic career by obtaining his first
degree in Geography from Ain-Shams University, Egypt. Right after his graduation, he
was appointed first as the Head of the Department of Teaching Aids and Scientific Labs
and then as the Director of Examination in the Interior Region of the Sultanate. Soon
after that, he pursued his postgraduate education by joining the University of Wales in
Britain where he got his MA degree in Methods of Teaching Geography. Upon
completion of his MA degree, he joined SQU as an instructor in the College of
Education for a short period. Then he joined the University Of Pittsburg, USA, where he
obtained his PhD degree in Methods of Teaching Social Studies. Upon graduation, he
joined the Academic staff in SQU as an instructor in the College of Education. Shortly
after that, he was appointed as Deputy President in the Sultan Qaboos University in
accordance with the Royal Decree # 12/2000 issued on January 25, 2000; soon, in less
than two years, he rose to the position of the President of SQU in accordance with the
Royal Decree 48/2001, issued on May # 14, 2001. He remained in his position until
2008 when the Royal Decree # 13/2008 was issued appointing him as an Academic
Consultant for the Higher Education Council.
The term of Dr. Riyami was an actually thriving and distinction stage in the history of
SQU as great awaiting human potentials had been realized and utilized to the best of
the university’s interests; consequently, the University, with its academic staff,
personnel, students and medical staff, has developed a great name for itself among
worldwide higher education institutions and established its standards of excellence at all
levels regionally and internationally. SQU had been honored with the great
achievements of its students who had won the top ranks in international forums and
gatherings in scientific and technical innovations and cultural, artistic and sports
competitions. In the actual leadership practice and realization of such achievements,
His Excellency personally (during his presidency term) headed a number of the
committees and served as a member in several local and international committees and
participated in a number of international academic and scientific forums and
conferences, such as Higher Education conference, held in Cuba in 2004, Environment
Conference, held in Germany, headed the official Omani delegation to the Round Table
Dialogue organized by the United Nations Educational , Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO), and the Arab-Chinese Dialogue held in 2006. He was also a
member of the National Association for Geographical Sciences. He was chosen as one
of the notable figures included in Prof. Mohammed Al-Turaiqi Encyclopedia for Human
and Development Personalities and was also chosen as a member on the council of
administration/board of directors of Prince Naif Arab Academy for Security Sciences in
Saudi Arabia.
Furthermore, out of His Excellency’s great concern in developing and maintaining
intercommunication open channels with the student body, he formed a committee
headed by himself for student communication which has contributed greatly to the
stability and settlement of the students’ academic status
Highlights of achievements during his term:
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The approval of many undergraduate study plans and programs in the different
colleges of the University.
The approval of new MA programs in the different colleges of the University.
The approval of a PhD program in Carbonate Studies.
The approval of the establishment of research centers in the University.
Initiation of a Research Chair from the United Nations Educational , Scientific and
Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Biotechnology.
The creation of and hosting many academic and scientific seminars on campus,
such as New Economy Seminar, Arabic Language Seminar, and many others.
The initiation of Shell Chair in Carbonate Studies.
The construction of Sultan Qaboos University Cultural Center.
The winning of many international and universal rewards and prizes, such as:
The Cooperation Council for Gulf Countries Award/Reward for the best
educational and research institution in the field of environment in 2001, 2002,
and 2007, which is offered by the general Secretariat of The Cooperation Council
for Gulf Countries
The obtaining of the Accreditation Certificate from CAAC.
The obtaining of research patents for some inventions registered in the University
name.
The initiation and of several memoranda and letters of understanding and
cooperation between SQU and its counterpart international universities and
research institutes.
The execution of a great number of strategic, applied and academic research
projects and joint research projects with other universities in neighboring and
friendly countries.
The execution of many construction projects for the University colleges and
centers, including for example and without limitation, College of Nursing building,
College of Engineering annex, Administration Building annex, among many
others.
The execution of many construction projects for the University Hospital, such as
the FAMCO (Family Medicine and Dental and Oral Clinic) building and the
rehabilitation and renovation of many wings and clinics in the hospital.
The accreditation of several programs in the college of Engineering by the
American Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET).
The obtaining of the international quality assurance certificate (IZO) 9001/2000
by the Hospital of SQU in 2005 from B I Management Systems, an international
company specialized in the operations of verification, evaluations, testing and
accreditation.
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The designation of special awards to the distinguished official, researcher,
teacher, student, and Medical Doctor.