Our Cooperation with The Sultanate of Oman is Advancing

President of TÜBİTAK Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal held talks in The Sultanate of Oman upon the invitation of Prof. Rahma bint Ibrahim Al Mahrooqi,   Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation of The Sultanate of Oman.

During the meeting with Minister Al Mahrooqi, opportunities for science-based cooperation between the  two parties were evaluated. In this context, the importance of establishing a joint  working group was emphasised. Accordingly, the aim of the group was stated as the follow-up of the process for signing the bilateral cooperation agreement and then carrying out the necessary work to initiate  the first joint call for proposals.
During the visit to the Arab Open University, Prof. Dr. Mandal met with Vice Rector Muneer Ahmed Al Zaidi,  where he received information about the number of students and open programmes, and shared detailed information about Anadolu University. Prof. Dr. Mandal talked about TÜBİTAK's programmes for young people.

President of TÜBİTAK visited Sultan Qaboos University, one of the oldest educational institutions in The Sultanate of Oman. Mandal, who met with Rector H. H. Sayyid Dr. Fahad Bin Al Julanda Al Said, gave information about TÜBİTAK programmes and stated: "Students who apply to TÜBİTAK projects and competitions from the first semesters of the university can receive support from TÜBİTAK and thus start their own businesses at a young age. If this is not done, we will lose that youth."  During the visit, evaluations were made about the research ecosystem, innovative knowledge production between the two countries and the potentials for cooperation focused on human resource development. During the meeting where TEKNOFEST was also discussed, Mandal emphasised the importance of applying to TEKNOFEST competitions.  

Prof. Dr. Mandal then paid a visit to the Military Technology College affiliated to the Ministry of Defence of The Sultanate of Oman and explained TÜBİTAK's activities in the field of defence industry. Listening to the presentations on the work of the Military Technology College, Mandal noted that they are ready for cooperation. The issue of technology transfer was also discussed during the meeting.

Mandal, who also made contacts in Muscat Innovation Park, talked about TÜBİTAK's competences for technology-based entrepreneurship ecosystem and held consultations on cooperation opportunities. A visit to technoparks in Türkiye was also planned during the visit.

On the second day of his visit to The Sultanate of Oman, President of TÜBİTAK Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal visited the German University of Technology. Mandal was informed about the university's prominent studies in the field of climate change and especially green hydrogen technologies, and shared TÜBİTAK's support and research activities in these fields. In this regard, it was emphasised that the two sides  should definitely cooperate as two developing countries for the goals aimed to be achieved within the scope of 2040 vision of The Sultanate of Oman. During the meeting, cooperation opportunities to develop the research ecosystem were also discussed.

Mandal then visited Sohar University and emphasised the importance of young human resources in the research ecosystem. During the meeting, it was evaluated that The Sultanate of Oman, like Türkiye, has an important potential in terms of young human resources and what can be done to develop this potential.

Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal's last stop in The Sultanate of Oman was the Intaj-Suhar Technology Centre within Sohar University. Mandal examined the activities of the centre, which aims to develop R&D and innovation-based cooperation between universities and the private sector and has activities in this context.

TÜBİTAK President stated, "We were pleased to see the close interest in the scientific and technological achievements and breakthroughs of our country and the willingness to cooperate in solving future-oriented problems within the scope of the 2-day visit to Sultanate of Oman, which we carried out upon  the invitation of Prof. Rahma bint Ibrahim Al Mahrooqi, i Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation of The Sultanate of Oman. As TÜBİTAK, we will continue to contribute to the greater recognition of our country through our international cooperation and to increase our science diplomacy-oriented cooperation for common needs."