Muscat – H E Dr Rahma bint Ibrahim al Mahrouqi, Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, has issued Ministerial Decision No 79/2025, introducing revised terms and conditions for private universities seeking financial grants. The decision will come into effect from Monday.
Under the new framework, eligible private universities may apply to the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation (MoHERI) for financial support using the prescribed application form. The decision outlines a set of criteria that institutions must meet to qualify for the grant.
Among the key requirements, the university should hold institutional accreditation from the Oman Authority for Academic Accreditation and Quality Assurance of Education and should not have previously received a government grant. It should operate at least three colleges and function from permanent premises or have commenced construction of its permanent campus.
The decision further requires the institution to be listed in the QS Arab Region University Rankings in the year of application and to enrol a minimum of 100 international students. Universities must also have graduated at least three cohorts of bachelor’s degree students.
Research output features prominently among the eligibility criteria. Applicants should publish no fewer than 250 peer-reviewed scientific papers annually and must have organised at least ten conferences, seminars or academic events related to their specialisations during the five years preceding the application. In addition, universities are required to demonstrate active community service programmes.
MoHERI will assess applications and award grants to qualifying institutions amounting to 50 per cent of the university’s capital, subject to a maximum of RO3mn. The grant percentage and ceiling remain unchanged from the repealed 2002 decision.
MoHERI stressed that the grant must be used exclusively to finance the construction of university buildings and may not be allocated to operational expenses. The Ministry of Finance will sign the grant agreement with the university or its legal representative, while Development Bank will oversee the management of the grant and monitor its implementation.
