Integration of University’s Research Strategy

The University’s Research Strategy 2022-2025 underpins the University’s Strategic Plan 2020-2025 and makes explicit its provisions in relation to research. It supports the University’s Strategic Commitments to “contribute to knowledge and innovation through applied research and scholarship in priority areas” and to “utilize our expertise and resources to provide consultancy services”. The Strategy reflects the University’s values and commitment to research. It aligns with other strategies including the University’s Learning and Teaching Strategy, and the Industry and Community Engagement Strategy. The Research Strategy guides the Institutional Research Journey at University, College, Departmental and Individual levels.

The University’s Strategic plan 2020-2025 reflects the elements of the Balanced Scorecard and Strategic Commitment 3.3 and Commitment 3.4 relate to Research and Consultancy. ASU values research as a fundamental factor in enhancing its teaching and providing quality education informed by scholarly enquiry. As a consequence, the University aims to create and disseminate knowledge and to foster innovation which contributes to development of human capital and in turn, the country’s social and economic development. This approach to research by ASU is enshrined in its mission and vision and is articulated in its five-year Strategic Plan.

University Research Policies

Since its inception in 2009, the University has developed several policies to guide its research activities. These policies have served the University well in enhancing its research outputs in terms of conference and journal papers and research income as exemplified in ASU’s annual research reports. The full list of current policies is presented under the Research Policies & Procedures.

Attributes of University Research Strategy 2022-2025

The University has identified the need to improve its research performance and outputs. This University Research Strategy 2022-2025 provides an outline of our current position and sets out achievements that we seek to deliver over the above period. Finally, the strategy proposes how we will achieve those objectives. This research strategy takes into account the external environmental factors that influence research including:

• Government Priorities articulated in the Oman Vision 2040;
• Sectors in the national program for enhancing economic diversification “Tanfeedh”;
• The funding policies and priorities of the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation.  
• Increasing emphasis on Inter-disciplinary research, international collaboration and partnerships;
• Increasing competition for Research funding.