The national program for economic diversification in the Sultanate of Oman identified the following sectors for development under the “Tanfeedh” program. They are: manufacturing, agriculture and fisheries, logistics, tourism, and mining. The University will support research that targets implementation of projects in these five sectors. Furthermore, research projects that tackle issues in areas of national priority such as road accidents, red palm weevil, renewable energy, social observatory as well as contemporary arts and humanity studies shall be encouraged and supported. Academic staff who wish to proceed and form Research Groups under these themes will be strongly encouraged and supported to do so. The University will continue to provide seed funding for projects in these areas and other research topics. In addition to the national programs and priority areas, the research themes of the University cover a broad range of vibrant research areas as presented in the following table based on the strength research areas of ASU faculty.