Oman invites Korean students to study Arabic

As part of efforts to bolster public diplomacy, Oman has invited Korean university students to study Arabic and learn about the country, according to the Embassy of Oman in Seoul last week.

It said 28 students from Busan and Hankuk universities of foreign studies, and Chosun, Dankook and Myongji universities are joining a visit program at Sultan Qaboos College in the Omani capital of Muscat from Jan. 13. The program will run through Feb. 28.

Twenty of the 28 are undergoing training for teaching Arabic to non-native speakers.

Before their departure for Muscat, Omani Ambassador to Korea Mohamed Alharthy invited the students to his embassy and gave a lecture on his country’s culture and history as well as the Oman-Korea relations.

He highlighted Oman’s public diplomacy through various activities, such as lectures at universities and lower-level academic institutions, exhibitions, performances, tourism and investment.

The envoy said those programs are expected to enhance understanding toward each other’s country to bring them closer.

He also highlighted Oman’s policy of tolerance, coexistence, non-interference in international affairs, which together has helped the sultanate to thrive as the “Switzerland of the Gulf” in the turbulent Middle East.

The guests later toured the embassy that is characterized by its style of Omani, Arabic and Islamic architecture. It also has works of Islamic art including Arabic calligraphy.

“The participants had the chance to experience the Omani and Arabic hospitality,” the embassy said in a press release.

The ambassador has hosted a lecture, titled “Welcome to Oman,” every year since 2014 for Korean students who are invited to a visit program.

Oman and Korea signed a diplomatic treaty in 1974.

The two sides have sought to expand their relations beyond the energy sector.

Oman is Korea’s third-largest supplier of liquefied natural gas. Korea is Oman’s third-largest export partner.