Prof Yahyai is new vice chancellor of Muscat University
The Muscat University Board of Directors announced the appointment of Professor Khamis bin Hamad al Yahyai as vice chancellor of the university.
The appointment was signed by Khalil bin Abdullah al Khonji, chairman of the Muscat University Board of Directors. The appointment came after a competitive recruitment rounds and evaluation presented in the joint meeting of the Board of Directors and Board of Trustees were in mutual agreement reached that Professor Yahyai was the strongest candidate to lead the university through the next stage of its evolution.
Dr Jumaa bin Ali al Jumaa, chairman of the Board of Trustees, commented “I am very proud of the appointment of Professor Khamis al Yahyai at this important stage of the university’s development. Although the university has witnessed impressive growth since its inception in 2016, one of the university’s aims is to utilise Omani leadership expertise and competencies as well as developing the future leaders of the sultanate. Professor Khamis has accomplished remarkable achievements at Sultan Qaboos University. The boards have confidence that this appointment will reinforce Muscat University as one of the leaders in higher education in the Sultanate of Oman.”
On this occasion, Khanji said, “We are very pleased with the appointment of Professor Khamis al Yahyai and greatly look forward to his leadership. Professor Al Yahyai is a leading expert in the economic and political sciences and has a proven record of scientific and administrative achievements, community service and the leadership of successful academic institutions. We believe his expertise and experience regarding the needs of the Sultanate and achieving the Oman Vision 2040 will be instrumental in further growing the University through offering a high-quality education for its students and pioneering research.”
Professor Yahyai commented, “I thank the Board of Directors and Trustees for giving me the opportunity to lead this promising institution. Muscat University is one of the higher education institutions working with industry to ensure its programmes and research are relevant to the needs of the sultanate and to the wider region. The university has already achieved so much despite its recent formation building on the original feasibility study carried out by Oxford University, UK.
“To achieve both the Oman Vision 2040 and Muscat University’s own vision, we will create an exemplary educational experience through offering a suite of high-qualityindustry-informed programmes. Our message to the community, our partners, our staff and students and industry is that the next few years will witness the launch of multiple undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes as well as executive education short courses.”
Professor Yahyai previously held the position of dean of the Faculty of Economics and Political Science at Sultan Qaboos University where he led the college to many achievements.
One of the most notable achievements being the gaining of academic accreditation of the college in accordance with the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS) of the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD).
He also led the development of many programmes in the college such as the PhD in Management, the MSc in Accounting and Finance and the MSc in Operations and Supply Chain Management.
He worked to obtain certification for college programmes from professional organisations including ACCA and CFA.
Professor Yahyai also strengthened cooperation between the Faculty of Economics and Political Science and between various institutions in and outside of the sultanate through signing of cooperation agreements.