Five Omani Universities Recognised in 2026 QS World Rankings
Muscat, The Gulf Observer: Five Omani higher education institutions have earned international recognition in the 2026 QS World University Rankings, reflecting the Sultanate’s continued progress in advancing academic excellence and global competitiveness.
According to Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), the UK-based higher education analytics firm, the institutions ranked this year include Sultan Qaboos University, University of Nizwa, Dhofar University, Sohar University, and the German University of Technology in Oman (GUtech).
Sultan Qaboos University led the national performance, rising 28 places to secure the 334th position globally. The University of Nizwa was ranked in the 770–761 band, Dhofar University in the 900–851 category, Sohar University in the 1000–951 range, and GUtech placed within the 1200–1001 bracket.
This achievement highlights the growing strength of Oman’s academic and research infrastructure, aligning with national ambitions under Oman Vision 2040.
Dr. Maryam Bil’arab Al Nabhani, Director General of Private Universities and Colleges at the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, emphasized the importance of the QS World University Rankings as one of the most prestigious global benchmarks. She reiterated that Oman Vision 2040 outlines a clear strategic objective to position at least four Omani universities among the top 500 institutions worldwide.
Dr. Al Nabhani also noted that QS rankings evaluate institutions on several key indicators, including academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty-to-student ratios, research impact measured through citations, and levels of international faculty and student diversity. Recent updates to the ranking criteria now also consider universities’ sustainability efforts, alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), graduate employment outcomes, and global research collaborations.
“These results reflect Oman’s ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of higher education, foster international academic competitiveness, and support innovation and research in accordance with the goals of Oman Vision 2040,” she stated.
The inclusion of five universities in the QS rankings underscores the country’s commitment to raising educational standards and expanding its presence on the global academic stage.
