'Higher education institutions must work to understand emerging developments'
Published: 05:05 PM,May 01,2024 | EDITED : 09:05 PM,May 01,2024
'Higher education institutions must work to understand emerging developments'
MUSCAT: Wednesday marked the beginning of the 'Future of Higher Education Institutions' forum organised by the Royal Academy of Management in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation (MoHERI).
The two-day forum, which concludes today (Thursday), brings together university presidents, deans of public and private colleges, as well as representatives from the public and private sectors at local and regional levels.
It is part of a series of targeted, innovative initiatives and is the first of its kind organised by the Centre for Future Readiness at the Royal Academy of Management. It is aligned with the Academy's commitment to developing national competencies focused on Oman’s future vision, priorities and national targets. The Academy also collaborates with partners from both public and private sectors to foster innovation and proactively anticipate future trends.
The forum features eight dynamic discussion sessions, showcasing international speakers renowned for their expertise in leadership, management, investment, higher education, innovation, and technology.
Dr Rahma bint Ibrahim al Mahrouqiyah, Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, said during her speech, 'Education is the cornerstone of development, and the main driver of the progress and prosperity of nations. Higher education institutions play a fundamental role in qualifying human competencies. They fuel innovation by fostering scientific research that tackles real-world challenges and ignite a spirit of entrepreneurship that propels social progress. These institutions stand as a trusted reference for nations, drawing upon their expertise and facilities to find solutions to the most pressing issues.'
'In our current time, the world is witnessing a significant shift towards a knowledge-based economy, where the focus is on leveraging knowledge and innovation to foster economic growth and societal progress. Given this transformation, the role of higher education institutions is becoming increasingly important every day. These institutions, especially universities, are among the most important institutions that play a decisive role in the transition to a knowledge-based economy. They also contribute significantly to the development of society and economic sectors by producing knowledge and transferring it to industry and the job market,' she added.
Dr Rahma said based on the objectives of the forum, higher education institutions must work to enhance cooperation with public and private sector institutions to understand emerging developments and trends, enhance their readiness to deal with future developments, seize potential opportunities, and build new visions based on enhancing innovation and supporting economic growth.
Dr Ali bin Qassim al Lawati, the President of the Royal Academy of Management, highlighted the pivotal role of the forum, emphasising its genesis from His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik's profound interest in education. 'Today's higher education institutions serve as crucibles where youthful ambition converges with national progress. Driven by the imperative to keep pace with technological advancements, these institutions are tasked with instilling values of innovation, nurturing entrepreneurship, and preserving cultural heritage while adapting to evolving social needs,' he said.
Dr Ali emphasised in his speech that higher education institutions are not merely transitional phases for students until they enter the job market, but represent a pivotal stage in shaping their future. Universities serve as the nexus between the aspirations of youth and the aspirations of the nation. Additionally, higher education institutions are striving to keep pace with technological advancements, aligning with the envisioned future. This necessitates a focus on instilling values of innovation, not just research, and fostering a culture of creativity and entrepreneurial leadership. This approach aims to generate employment opportunities, reaffirm our cultural heritage, and adapt to the evolving demands of public life.
The forum discusses the changes in the higher education sector and facilitates the exchange of knowledge and common challenges. Its aim is to enable leaders to understand emerging developments and trends that impact higher education institutions. It also seeks to enhance partnerships between public and private educational institutions, forge new visions that promote innovation and support economic growth, strengthen the capacity of educational institutions to deal with future challenges, and capitalise on emerging opportunities.
Additionally, it aims to understand their impact on national competitiveness and innovation, explore innovative funding and the use of digital technologies to achieve financial sustainability. It also focuses on artificial intelligence, preparing for the future of work, balancing quality with international indicators and market requirements, and explore innovative and future models for higher education institutions.
The forum focuses on several key themes related to emerging global trends shaping the future of higher education institutions. These include the role of higher education institutions in enhancing national competitiveness and innovation and reimagining the future of work and business. It also focuses on the impact of advanced technologies and artificial intelligence on the future of these institutions, as well as the importance of positioning higher education institutions in global rankings and classifications.
The two-day forum, which concludes today (Thursday), brings together university presidents, deans of public and private colleges, as well as representatives from the public and private sectors at local and regional levels.
It is part of a series of targeted, innovative initiatives and is the first of its kind organised by the Centre for Future Readiness at the Royal Academy of Management. It is aligned with the Academy's commitment to developing national competencies focused on Oman’s future vision, priorities and national targets. The Academy also collaborates with partners from both public and private sectors to foster innovation and proactively anticipate future trends.
The forum features eight dynamic discussion sessions, showcasing international speakers renowned for their expertise in leadership, management, investment, higher education, innovation, and technology.
Dr Rahma bint Ibrahim al Mahrouqiyah, Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, said during her speech, 'Education is the cornerstone of development, and the main driver of the progress and prosperity of nations. Higher education institutions play a fundamental role in qualifying human competencies. They fuel innovation by fostering scientific research that tackles real-world challenges and ignite a spirit of entrepreneurship that propels social progress. These institutions stand as a trusted reference for nations, drawing upon their expertise and facilities to find solutions to the most pressing issues.'
'In our current time, the world is witnessing a significant shift towards a knowledge-based economy, where the focus is on leveraging knowledge and innovation to foster economic growth and societal progress. Given this transformation, the role of higher education institutions is becoming increasingly important every day. These institutions, especially universities, are among the most important institutions that play a decisive role in the transition to a knowledge-based economy. They also contribute significantly to the development of society and economic sectors by producing knowledge and transferring it to industry and the job market,' she added.
Dr Rahma said based on the objectives of the forum, higher education institutions must work to enhance cooperation with public and private sector institutions to understand emerging developments and trends, enhance their readiness to deal with future developments, seize potential opportunities, and build new visions based on enhancing innovation and supporting economic growth.
Dr Ali bin Qassim al Lawati, the President of the Royal Academy of Management, highlighted the pivotal role of the forum, emphasising its genesis from His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik's profound interest in education. 'Today's higher education institutions serve as crucibles where youthful ambition converges with national progress. Driven by the imperative to keep pace with technological advancements, these institutions are tasked with instilling values of innovation, nurturing entrepreneurship, and preserving cultural heritage while adapting to evolving social needs,' he said.
Dr Ali emphasised in his speech that higher education institutions are not merely transitional phases for students until they enter the job market, but represent a pivotal stage in shaping their future. Universities serve as the nexus between the aspirations of youth and the aspirations of the nation. Additionally, higher education institutions are striving to keep pace with technological advancements, aligning with the envisioned future. This necessitates a focus on instilling values of innovation, not just research, and fostering a culture of creativity and entrepreneurial leadership. This approach aims to generate employment opportunities, reaffirm our cultural heritage, and adapt to the evolving demands of public life.
The forum discusses the changes in the higher education sector and facilitates the exchange of knowledge and common challenges. Its aim is to enable leaders to understand emerging developments and trends that impact higher education institutions. It also seeks to enhance partnerships between public and private educational institutions, forge new visions that promote innovation and support economic growth, strengthen the capacity of educational institutions to deal with future challenges, and capitalise on emerging opportunities.
Additionally, it aims to understand their impact on national competitiveness and innovation, explore innovative funding and the use of digital technologies to achieve financial sustainability. It also focuses on artificial intelligence, preparing for the future of work, balancing quality with international indicators and market requirements, and explore innovative and future models for higher education institutions.
The forum focuses on several key themes related to emerging global trends shaping the future of higher education institutions. These include the role of higher education institutions in enhancing national competitiveness and innovation and reimagining the future of work and business. It also focuses on the impact of advanced technologies and artificial intelligence on the future of these institutions, as well as the importance of positioning higher education institutions in global rankings and classifications.