Muscat: The Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) announced on Sunday the seven works winning the Royal Grant for strategic research projects for 2024.
The event coincided with the 24th anniversary of SQU Day and was organised under the patronage of Dr. Khamis bin Saif Al Jabri, Chairman of the Oman Vision 2040 Implementation Follow -up Unit.
Dr. Amer bin Saif Al Hinai, Deputy Vice Chancellor of SQU for postgraduate studies and research, said that the conference accompanying the SQU Day comes within the university’s efforts for development of research and innovation and boosting their role in supporting economic and digital transformation.
He added that the conference seeks to raise the university’s standing in global scientific circles, in light of the great interest shown by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, and his continuous support for education, scientific research, and innovation.
Dr. Amer bin Saif Al Hinai stressed that Sultan Qaboos University is moving forward with confident steps and unwavering determination to advance scientific research, believing that it is a profitable investment that leads to sustainable development based on solid foundations that meet the needs and aspirations of society.
He said that the need is to empower young people armed with knowledge and skills that enable building a knowledgeable society who can compete in global markets.
He stated that the speakers and scholars from inside and outside the Sultanate of Oman shared their knowledge, and experiences at the conference during discussions that highlighted the importance of scientific research and innovation and their status as essential elements in global economic competitiveness in the twenty-first century.
Speakers supported social and economic development in all fields and recommended developing appropriate practical solutions to the challenges associated with the economic and digital transformation of Omani society and other societies around the world.
The ceremony included an exhibition that included displaying the results of scientific research carried out by university researchers. It also included a scientific library of books, journals, various sources of funding, a research projects corner containing 9 research projects, and an innovation and technology corner.
The three-day conference includes a number of sessions, including: ‘Supporting Oman Vision 2040’, ‘Analysis of economic growth through scientific research and innovation’, and ‘Dynamics of technological development and digital transformation’.
The winning projects included a research work on the value addition and increase in production of olives in the Sultanate of Oman by Dr. Rashid bin Abdullah Al Yahyaei from the College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences. Another research on management of Parthenium in the Sultanate of Oman was awarded to Dr. Mohammed Farouq from the College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences.
Also, a research work on the reduction of carbon dioxide level by transforming it into products of advantage using sustainable solar energy in Oman was awarded to Dr. Rengaraj Selvaraj from the College of Science.
Other research work receiving the grant included technical evaluation of the low-energy air conditionThe winning projects included a research work on the value addition and increase in production of olives in the Sultanate of Oman by Dr. Rashid bin Abdullah Al Yahyaei from the College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences. Another research on management of Parthenium in the Sultanate of Oman was awarded to Dr. Mohammed Farouq from the College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences.
Also, a research work on the reduction of carbon dioxide level by transforming it into products of advantage using sustainable solar energy in Oman was awarded to Dr. Rengaraj Selvaraj from the College of Science.
Other research work receiving the grant included technical evaluation of the low-energy air conditioning systems by Dr. Saleh Al Saadi from the College of Engineering; a research on the classification and evaluation of the risks of micro-plastics at wastewater treatment plants to Dr. Zainab Yawri from the College of Engineering; a research on the efficiency of air conditioning of buildings in Oman to Dr. Mohammed Abdulqayoum from the College of Engineering.
Also, a research on designing effective systems for transforming carbon dioxide to poly-carbons or organic carbon was awarded to Dr. Mohammed bin Zaher Al Abri from the Nanotechnology Research Centre.
-With inputs from ONA