Royal family member rose through the ranks

Oxford-educated Dr Rawyah bint Saud Al Busaidi yesterday became the first Omani woman to be named minister with a portfolio when His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said promoted her as the Minister of High Education.

In March last year, Sultan Qaboos appointed Sheikha Aisha bint Khalfan bin Jumiel Al Siyabiah as the President - with the rank of minister - of the Public Authority for Craft Industries. Thus, Dr Al Busaidi becomes the second woman to be given Ministerial rank but the first to get a full portfolio.

Dr Al Busaidi, who was away in Bahrain on an official visit when the announcement was made, replaces Yahya bin Mahfoudh Al Mantheri, who has been named the President of the State Council. The position of the State Council President fell vacant following the death of Sheikh Hamoud bin Abdullah Al Harthy.

Dr Al Busaidi, who is from the Omani Royal family, has come up the ranks. She was the Director-General of Higher Colleges for nearly five years before being made Undersecretary, at the Ministry of Higher Education, three years ago.

She was among the three women holding Undersecretary's offices in the country.

In the first public election in the Sultanate last year, 15 women contested and only two got elected to the Majlis As'shura. Interestingly, there are 102 males per every 100 females in Oman. No details about Dr Al Busaidi were available and she could not be contacted in Bahrain.