Omani award winner captivates Paris
Ray petersen - The burgeoning literary talent of Oman has again been recognised outside the Sultanate, as youthful University of Nizwa student Rua Salim al Mashaari captivated a lively Parisian...
Only big hearts can shape the young minds
Margaret Mead wrote that “Children must be taught how to think, not what to think.” Even as I write that, I’m moved to ponder that maybe even the thinking element is too narrow a definition of...
Working his magic in Bahla’s pottery scene
Willie Wonka’s Chocolate Factory is relegated back to fantasia when you visit the Training and Production Center for Pottery and Ceramics, in Bahla. Meet Nasser bin Humaid bin Nasser Yahyai,...
To err is human, to not learn from error unacceptable
The old maxim goes, “To err is human, to forgive, divine.” We all make mistakes, me as many as anyone, but if I feel there is one lesson I’ve learned in life it’s that mistakes, errors of...
Freedom, choices and democracy: More than words
It’s probably enough to have a man like Spartacus, who, 2200 years ago led a slave revolt against the might of the Roman Empire, turning in his grave, but the question must be asked. Are the...
A walk on the wild side, in Muscat!
Living in the hamlet of Birkat al Mouz, in the shadow of the omnipresent Jebel Akdhar, is geographically and geologically impressive, culturally rewarding, and quiet, oh so quiet. However now and...
Oman Natural Heritage Lecture held in London
Muscat, Oct 25 - Omani conservation and ecological science received a royal seal of approval last week, as Prince Michael of Kent, well known for his charitable interests, attended the second annual...
French language conference held at University of Nizwa
NIZWA, Oct 24 - The University of Nizwa hosted a high profile academic from Saudi Arabia recently, as the Department of Foreign Languages, French Section conducted their annual Latifa (French/Arabic...
Is it a good time for the solar conversation?
The Sun, according to Nasa’s Dr Sten Odenwold, has a life cycle of around 11 billion years. Four and a half of those have been used, so there are still somewhere between four (worst scenario) and...
Five Oceans: Leaders in marine conservation
Jacques Cousteau, the inimitable marine explorer once said, “The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” The Oil and Gas Industry, Port Authorities, and Coastal...
Good news on jobs: Now the real work begins
The news that the Government of Oman is to step into the job creation market again is surely greeted with mixed emotions across the Sultanate as each institution, organisation and sector reflects on...
Nizwa blood drive draws photographers
Nizwa, Oct 9 - Nizwa Grand Mall hosted a Blood Bank event at its Dakhiliyah flagship retail outlet last weekend. The drive for blood was enhanced by various entertainments and events throughout the...
Are you too lazy to read this? Don’t be
Bill Gates said once, that he would “Always get a lazy person to do a job, because they would always find the easiest way to do it.” Well, that’s quite a revealing analysis of the very human...
Criticism is a two-edged sword, best used gently
Due to the nature of my work, I am a lecturer in Literature and English language subjects at the University of Nizwa. I am required to support, guide and advise my colleagues in their work. I love it....
A different option for community support
Oman, as a nation, has matured and grown in so many ways during the last five decades since His Majesty, Sultan Qaboos came to power. If we look at the cornerstones of what is required to be a...
Looking after Oman’s abundant marine reserve
Little did we know it but Oman has yet another impressive Marine Biologist and Environmentalist in its midst. Suaad Saleh Al Harthi, an Emirati woman making waves in marine conservation and management...
Traffic authorities taking a higher profile
It’s good to see the Royal Oman Police (ROP) making traffic enforcement a higher priority over recent months, as more police vehicles appear to be patrolling our highways. Speeding, dangerous and...
Fighting the good fight for marine conservation
Fittingly, having gained her degree in Marine and Fisheries Sciences at Sultan Qaboos University, a young Omani woman is now establishing a significant national and international profile in the...
Life skills are the key to transformation
Life skills’ is a phrase we hear more and more in educational circles today alongside ‘critical thinking’ and ‘global citizenship’. Life skills are defined by the World Health Organization...
It has been omni-present, but what is art?
Edgar Degas wrote, “Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” Having helped my wife Lena discover new artistic avenues of expression during our New Zealand vacation, I understand...