OMAN’S EDUCATION SECTOR
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The Education Sector in Oman
Oman has long considered education as among the most important pillars of sustainable environmental economic and social development. It believes that it must prioritize the development of its human resources and equipping the current generation with the innovative knowledge, skill and competencies that will enable it to compete in the global economic arena as well as positively contribute to national development.
It believes that private higher education establishments play a vital role in increasing opportunities for admission to higher education institutions for various sectors of society.
Oman Vision 2040: Towards a Knowledge-Based Economy
Under the Sultanate’s Oman Vision 2040, alongside its 10th Five-Year Development Plan (2021-2025), attention is placed on economic diversification from oil and building a knowledge-based economy. The Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation ensures the promotion of the higher education system, such that it meets the requirements of sustainable development and achieves the goals of its Vision 2040. It also emphasizes protection of human capital and developing its education system.
Within the structure of Vision 2040, the National Strategy for Education 2040 was designed to set a new framework for education, capacity building, transfer of jurisdiction and responsibilities to educational institutions and the adoption of an outcome-based approach.
Foreign Investments in Higher Education
The Oman government is currently working towards attracting foreign investments in the higher education sector. It is currently offering private higher education establishments land plots and granting private universities 50 per cent of their paid-up capital and a maximum of OMR 3 million with an exemption in tax and customs. This is in addition to an increase in the number of student admissions.
It is also providing private higher education establishments with opportunities to initiate investments and commercial activities in the land offered to them “in order to establish service projects supportive to the educational process.”