Sunday 26 / October / 2025
Sohar: Sohar University in North Al Batinah Governorate hosted the ICCA Uni Forum on Sunday through a strategic collaboration between the academic institution, the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), and the Oman Convention Bureau at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism.
The forum proceedings were inaugurated under the patronage of Mohammed bin Sulaiman Al Kindi, Governor of North Al Batinah, featuring participation from distinguished academics, industry specialists, and conference professionals from throughout the Sultanate of Oman and international markets.
This initiative aims to create career pathways for Omani youth within the conferences and exhibitions sector while strengthening collaboration between academic institutions and the business events industry.
The forum further seeks to establish Oman’s position as a premier conference tourism destination both regionally and globally while developing a generation of qualified national professionals capable of supporting the strategic objectives outlined in “Oman Vision 2040.”
Anju Gomes, Senior Regional Director for the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) in the Middle East, emphasized the organization’s global leadership in developing the meetings and conferences industry, noting the sector’s substantial annual contribution to global GDP and its creation of millions of direct and indirect employment opportunities worldwide.
She further stated that hosting forums of this caliber in Oman demonstrates the nation’s expanding presence within the global conference landscape and strengthens its economic competitiveness in the international business tourism market.
Abeer Abdullah Al Jabri, Director of the Communication and Marketing Department at Sohar University, addressed the audience regarding the institution’s academic commitment to equipping students with practical competencies in event and conference management.
She highlighted numerous educational initiatives and innovative practices implemented by the university, confirming that these experiences demonstrate the institution’s dedication to connecting academic learning with workplace requirements while developing students’ leadership capabilities and administrative expertise.
Meanwhile, Khalid bin Al Walid Al Zedjali, Director of the Oman Convention Bureau at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, highlighted the remarkable expansion Oman has experienced in hosting and organising regional and international conferences and exhibitions. He emphasized the nation’s strategic focus on the conference sector through the establishment of the Oman Convention Bureau, which works systematically to develop this vital industry and enhance its competitive positioning.
He further explained that such forums provide university students with valuable knowledge and essential expertise to generate innovative concepts that will advance the conference tourism sector in future years, noting that this strategic direction aligns with national economic diversification policies and the comprehensive “Oman Vision 2040”.
The forum agenda featured an address titled “Seriousness in Events Education: A Case Study from Macau” presented by Dr. Ubaldino Sequeira Couto from the Macau University of Tourism in the People’s Republic of China, who shared international perspectives on educational methodologies and competency development in conference management and organisational practices.
The event also included an expert panel discussion titled “Bridging Academia and Industry: Building the Future Workforce for Business Events,” featuring specialists from the International Congress and Convention Association and the Oman Convention Bureau.
The dialogue examined current challenges and future opportunities for sector development in accordance with contemporary international standards and global best practices.
The forum concluded with a student competition focused on developing bids to host an international conference, featuring ten student teams selected from eleven participating universities and colleges.
Participants delivered creative presentations proposing innovative approaches to position Oman as a preferred global conference destination.
The competition provided an interactive platform for knowledge exchange between students and industry experts while offering practical experience in presentation techniques, persuasive communication, and collaborative planning within an authentic professional environment that closely simulates actual workplace conditions.
The forum attracted participation from eleven Omani universities and colleges, including: Sultan Qaboos University, University of Nizwa, University of Technology and Applied Sciences in Sohar, A’Sharqiyah University, University of Buraimi, National University of Science and Technology, German University of Technology in Oman, Mazoon College, Middle East College, Oman Tourism College, in addition to the host institution, Sohar University.
