MUSCAT: With the aim of protecting and sustainably using Oman’s unique biological resources, a programme on research cooperation was signed by Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) and the Oman Animal Plant Genetic Resource Centre (OAPGRC) of The Research Council on May 1. Dr Rahma bint Ibrahim al Mahrooqi, SQU’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Postgraduate Studies and Research, and Dr Nadiya al Saady, Executive Director of OAPGRC, signed the agreement. Dr Sergey Dobretsov, Director of the Centre of Excellence in Marine Biotechnology, SQU, and Dr Yaseen al Mulla, the Director of the Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System Research Centre, SQU, attended the ceremony.
The Research Cooperation Programme between SQU and OAPGRC opens new avenues to investigate, protect and sustainably use Oman’s unique biological resources. The programme is intended to contribute to increased cooperation between the two organisations in relation to research, capacity building, joint research projects and training. The Research Cooperation Programme also encompasses several joint projects. The first of these concerns the mapping and assessment of changes in vegetation patterns due to urbanisation in Oman’s Dhofar Mountains by using Remote Sensing and GIS techniques. Other projects include the identification of epibenthic communities associated with marine organisms in Oman’s waters. Additionally, the genetics and identity of corals inhabiting the shallow water environments of Oman will be investigated.
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