Sultan Qaboos University receives 3,070 students

Muscat: Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) opened its doors yesterday to over three thousand students for the new academic year. The first day of induction week saw students admitted to as many as 65 undergraduate academic programs offered in the nine colleges of SQU and a series of talks and lectures welcomed them to academic life.
Addressing the new intake, Dr. Mohammed bin Hamed Al Saadi, Assistant Dean of Admissions & Registration for Admission & Technical Support, called upon the students to be punctual in attending classes and to be fully committed to the discipline of the university. He added that SQU is working hard to provide all the students need in order to encourage them to excel in their academic pursuits and to become innovative and efficient with the aim of contributing to national development as they grow up.
Dr. Badria Bint Ibrahim Al-Shehhi, Director of the Preparatory Studies Centre, briefed the new students about the Foundation Program at Sultan Qaboos University, which is a mandatory requirement for all. The program is designed to prepare students to achieve the required learning outcomes in accordance with the academic standards of the Omani Authority for Academic Accreditation (OAAA). Preparatory studies in English, Mathematics, Information Technology and study skills aim to set the foundation for students’ successful academic endeavours. Dr. Ibrahim Al-Shehhi also detailed the placement and exit tests in English, Maths and IT scheduled to be held from 26 August to 3 September for the new students.
Dr. Hamoud bin Khalfan Al Hadrami, Dean of Student Affairs, gave information on the services provided by his department such as housing, nutrition, transportation and student activities. Dr. Nasser bin Musabah Al-Zaidi, Director of the Centre of Information Systems at the University, explained to the newly admitted students about the electronic services provided by the Centre and Sheikh Salem Al-Numani gave a lecture on the importance of education as well as providing advice to students about their time at the University.