English abstract
The internationalization of any academic institution is an integral pillar of the
institution's growth and progress in both academia & research. It serves as a link that connects
with the rest of the world. Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) recognizes the importance of this
aspect along with its vital role in consolidating the university's scientific position and in
building bridges of international cooperation. SQU, since its inception in 1986, has used the
International Cooperation Office (ICO) as its approach through exercising the education &
cultural diplomacies on internationalization towards Oman's Foreign Policy.
The ICO at SQU has become the bridge between the university and higher education
institutions & organizations around the world. The SQU's ICO has linked the university with a
series of cooperative ties based on mutual interests and knowledge transfer in order to achieve
the objectives that set forth in the SQU's strategic plans. This vision is in line with the
aspirations of H.M. the Late Sultan Qaboos bin Said, in making this university a prominent
institution regionally & worldwide. From this perspective, the researcher - as an administrative
at ICO - assumes that the SQU's ICO has positive contributions on Oman's Foreign Policy by
exercising internationalization and working in alignment with the Sultanate's policies at the
current troubled world.
This research has made brief comparisons with other international cooperation offices
(ICOs) from other domestic sub-governmental institutions, which they make positive
contributions towards Oman's Foreign Policy. It also explains, how these institutions are
strengthening the positive directions of Oman's Foreign Policy. However, the research mainly
demonstrates how several activities, delivered by the SQU's ICO, which in turn enhances its
presence among the best related offices and its prominent role on Oman's Foreign Policy. It is
worth noting that, the research explains how, in the near future, the SQU's ICO will seek to
expand the circle of the university's relations & international cooperation to cope with rapid
scientific changes, which required a more focused & effective presence. All that will be
accomplished through the establishment of appropriate mechanisms, programs and plans to
make the university ready to face all expected & unexpected future challenges, in line with that
visions developed by H.M. the Late Sultan Qaboos and the Sultanate's Foreign Policy, which
have been emphasized by H.M. the New Sultan Haitham bin Tariq.
