AMEI President Visits Oman to Strengthen Educational Partnerships

Simin Yazdegerdi Curtis

Simin Yazdegerdi Curtis, president and founder of the American Middle East Institute, led a delegation of members of the Institute to the Sultan Qaboos University in Muscat, Oman on Monday.

AMEI is a non-profit and independent organization, headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, which seeks to strengthen cultural, educational and business ties between the United States and countries of the Middle East.

Professor Amer bin Ali al Rawas greeted the AMEI delegates in his capacity as SQU deputy Vice-Chancellor for Postgraduate Studies and Research, along with other official representatives of the university.

During the discussions with the officials from SQU Simin Curtis explained that AMEI is in the perfect position to introduce Pittsburgh’s leading institutions and corporations to the Middle East. Due to their broad knowledge of the region, understanding of the culture and their well-forged corporate and business ties AMEI can more easily succeed at the high-profile networking events for which AMEI has earned a positive reputation.

The group of delegates considered the possibility of obtaining the support of academics from SQU to populate the intensive programs in Arabic which AMEI offers, as well as having them participate in other cultural and business connected activities which focus on the Middle East.

In a statement which urged the delegates to go forward to forge partnerships in the academic, educational and cultural spheres, Curtis said,

“We urge young professionals and business students to do business in Oman. We would like to host Omani students for the academic programs starting in the summer this year.”

Double Taxation to End between Oman and the Philippines

The Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of the Philippines are in the process of negotiating an agreement which will end double taxation between them in order to boost bi-lateral trade.

Tax Agreement Coming Soon

Spokesman for the Philippine embassy in Muscat, Omar M. Pangarungan explained that the countries are about to begin their second round of talks to produce an agreement which both countries can feel good about.

Oman is anxious to begin the second round of negotiations in the hope that an agreement can be hammered out soon. Pangarungan said that although trade between the two countries is at the moment minimal, there exists a huge potential for an abundance of bi-lateral trade.

“Philippines is keen on improving its trade relations with the Sultanate,” the Filipino diplomat reiterated.

Cultural Exchange Agreement Also

Omar M. Pangarungan

In addition to the trade agreement, another mutually beneficial treaty is in the works. The two Muslim nations share much in the way of culture and heritage and they therefore decided that it is in their mutual interest to have a more open flow of cultural benefits between them

“The draft of the agreement has already been finalized and the signing is expected anytime from now,” said Pangarungan.

“Once the signing is done, the channels of exchange of scholars, preservation of heritage, artists, etc., will open,” he said.

Filipino Scholars Wanted in Oman

It is especially of interest to the Sultanate to have Filipino scholars welcomed at Sultan Qaboos University. Many innovative scholars from the Philippines travel to the United States and other western countries, influencing the academic world there. It would benefit Oman to have such intellectuals spend time in the Sultanate.

Oman Increases Scholarships by Forty Three Per Cent

The Omani Minister for Higher Education, Dr. Rawiyah bint Saud Al Busaidiyah announced at a joint press conference with the Manpower Minister Shaikh Abdullah bin Nasser Al Bakri and the Vice Chancellor of Sultan Qaboos University Dr. Ali bin Saud Al Bimani that His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said recently ordered an increase in the number of educational grants by 8,500 to graduates of high schools to continue their studies within and outside Oman.

Forty Three Per Cent Increase

The additional grants awarded represent an increase of 43% to the original plan, bringing the total number of grants for higher education in Oman to 28,400 for the 2011-2012 academic year.

“The royal grant has made students, parents and all Omani families happy,” al Busaidiyah said.

Qaboos University

Fifty Seven Percent of Students Receive Grants

Approximately 51,000 students, both men and women, have applied with the Higher Education Admission Center in expectation of continuing their studies this coming year. With the latest announcement taken into consideration the percentage of students studying for higher degrees this year will be 57%, a significant increase over last year’s 35%.

Dr. Al Busaidiyah added that the ministry of education has been able to increase the number places as well as scholarships this coming year at state run institutions like SQU and Colleges of Applied Sciences.

In addition, the Manpower Ministry will admit more students into the Colleges of Technology which are under their control.

“Raising the number of students receiving higher education will lead to more qualified Omanis entering the job market, thus decreasing the size of the expatriate workforce especially in specialized and technical jobs. This in turn will contribute to the growth of the national economy,” al Busaidiyah said.