Sultan Qaboos University may offer Persian language course

Persian, Iran's national language, is likely to become an academic discipline at the Sultan Qaboos University. Such a possibility was discussed by Dr Mustafa Muain, Iran's visiting Minister for Higher Education, with Mohammed bin Al Zubair, the university's President.

The subject will be probed further when Al Zubair visits Iran at the invitation of Dr Muain, in the near future. The university, which was set up in 1985, has eight faculties and is busy developing links with other universities.

"We will be too happy to see Persian taught at Sultan Qaboos University," a spokesman of the Iranian embassy told Gulf News, saying Dr Muain's visit was part of a campaign to promote friendship for the good of the region.

Yesterday, Dr Muain, making his first visit to Oman, held an official round of talks with his Omani counterpart, Yahya bin Mahfoudh Al Mandhari, during which the need for exchange of academics and students was underlined to strengthen educational links.

Yesterday, Dr Muain conferred with Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmouud Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers, who recently visited Iran. Ways of strengthening ties were discussed.

Dr Muain also offered the greetings of President Mohammed Khatami for His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, who has accepted an invitation to visit Iran. Dr Muain exchanged views with the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries and visited the Law and Sharia College, besides touring historical sites.

Meanwhile, Sheikh Salim bin Mustahil bin Ahmed Al Mashani, Higher Education Undersecretary, left for Qatar to attend a two-day GCC research meeting. Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiyah, Qatar's Minister of Energy and Industry, also left for home after attending the Omani-Qatari joint committee meeting.

According to Oman Television, Qatar will provide qualified Omanis with jobs in various sectors like education, communications and energy – an offer which has been welcomed by Oman. A joint visa system is also in the offing to promote tourism.

The committee expressed satisfaction over the practical steps taken to implement the Diplomatic and Consular Cooperation Pact, particularly the appointment of diplomats by each country in foreign embassies.

The meeting was also marked by the signing of a deal between Oman News Agency and Qatari News Agency to promote mass media links in an era of Information Technology. The two agencies will exchange material, expertise and staff, and organise training in various segments of journalism.

The committee also agreed to set up a joint stock company in Oman with the help of the Qatari Industries Company and Trans-Gulf Industrial Investment Co, which in turn will coordinate with the Gulf Organisation for Industrial Consultancy.