Oman Increases Scholarships by Forty Three Per Cent

The Omani Minister for Higher Education, Dr. Rawiyah bint Saud Al Busaidiyah announced at a joint press conference with the Manpower Minister Shaikh Abdullah bin Nasser Al Bakri and the Vice Chancellor of Sultan Qaboos University Dr. Ali bin Saud Al Bimani that His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said recently ordered an increase in the number of educational grants by 8,500 to graduates of high schools to continue their studies within and outside Oman.

Forty Three Per Cent Increase

The additional grants awarded represent an increase of 43% to the original plan, bringing the total number of grants for higher education in Oman to 28,400 for the 2011-2012 academic year.

“The royal grant has made students, parents and all Omani families happy,” al Busaidiyah said.

Qaboos University

Fifty Seven Percent of Students Receive Grants

Approximately 51,000 students, both men and women, have applied with the Higher Education Admission Center in expectation of continuing their studies this coming year. With the latest announcement taken into consideration the percentage of students studying for higher degrees this year will be 57%, a significant increase over last year’s 35%.

Dr. Al Busaidiyah added that the ministry of education has been able to increase the number places as well as scholarships this coming year at state run institutions like SQU and Colleges of Applied Sciences.

In addition, the Manpower Ministry will admit more students into the Colleges of Technology which are under their control.

“Raising the number of students receiving higher education will lead to more qualified Omanis entering the job market, thus decreasing the size of the expatriate workforce especially in specialized and technical jobs. This in turn will contribute to the growth of the national economy,” al Busaidiyah said.

Omani Marriage Support Fund To Come Before Sultan for Approval

A final draft of a report recommending the creation of a “Marriage Support Fund” in Oman will go before the Sultan for its final approval.

Council of People’s Representatives

The report was honed by the elected council of people’s representatives. The report has gone through several drafts and was at last given its final form after extensive discussions about the need for and ramifications of such a law.

Majilis Ash’shura

After the final stage of the report’s development, a drafting by the Health and Social Committee of the Majilis Ash’shura, the report is now ready to be examined by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said before he gives the report his final approval.

Meeting Demands of Protestors

The creation of such a fund in Oman is unprecedented, and its development is a direct result of the demands of reform called for by protesters who shook the Omani political scene earlier this year. The establishment of a governmental fund to support young Omani men in their desire to marry was one of the prime demands of the protesters, who took to the streets in cities throughout the Sultanate, including Muscat, Sohar, Salalah and other areas. Subsequently, practically all of the demonstrators’ demands have been met by the governmental authorities.

The Deputy Head of the Health and Social Committee, Marhoon bin Masud Al Ghaithi, commented on the significant contribution this fund will make to the social, economic and cultural wellbeing of Oman after the adopting of the report by the council.

“When some citizens cannot meet the costs of marriage due to high dowries and financial inability, that has a negative impact on the society,” said Al Ghaithi. “This directly results in late marriages, and a large chunk of the Omani youths become averse to marriage due to these factors.”

Marriage Fund Issue Studied In-Depth

Al Ghaithi added that the committee had studied the issue in-depth, taking several steps before the final version of the report was completed.

“We looked into existing legislations, laws, bylaws and decisions related to marriage in the Sultanate. We also reviewed a number of studies, researches, data,” he added.

Al Ghaithi also said that there are many other benefits of this fund, and he is satisfied that this fund will be established by Oman with great benefit to the Sultanate.

Praise for Sultan Qaboos bin Said of Oman

The Secretary General of the AGCC (Arab Gulf Countries Council) Abdulrahman bin Hamad al Attiyah heaped warm praise on the His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said of Oman for his great success in achieving unprecedented improvement in human rights and other areas in his country.

Describing the Sultan’s achievements as ‘remarkable’ al Attiyah expressed appreciation of the ‘wise policies’ of his majesty which have accomplished so much for the Sultanate in recent years. The Secretary General added that because of these achievements Oman has become a source of ‘inspiration’ for other Arab Gulf states and has garnered respect from the rest of the international community.

What was especially satisfying to al Attiyah as representative of the AGCC was the assertion made by Sihasak Phuangketkeow, president of the Human Rights Council, that Oman is meeting all the international standards, work mechanisms and conditions for the implementation of human rights in the Sultanate.

Al Attiyah told the Oman News Agency that Phuangketkeow’s statement and the success of the Sultanate is simply a reflection of the wise political vision and enlightened perspective of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said. The Secretary General went on to say that Oman’s success is proof that the Sultan is committed to security, stability and the welfare of the Omani people.