Wednesday 31 / December / 2025
Muscat: The Health-Promoting Universities initiative in the Sultanate of Oman represents a pioneering strategic step toward enhancing the quality of higher education by integrating health and well-being into the university environment. The initiative aims to transform higher education institutions into safe, healthy learning spaces that foster both academic and personal growth.
Dr. Maryam Belarab Al Nabhani, Director General of Private Universities and Colleges, stated to Oman News Agency (ONA) that the initiative was launched during the 2023/2024 academic year with the participation of three national universities. It saw a significant expansion in the 2024/2025 academic year, with eight additional government and private educational institutions joining. This growth reflects a rising institutional awareness of the importance of embedding health within university policies, organizational structures, and student activities.
Al Nabhani added that the initiative is currently transitioning from the national evaluation phase to a regional evaluation phase in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO). This transition serves as a precursor to accrediting several Omani universities as health-promoting institutions at the regional level, a national achievement that bolsters Oman's international standing in the sectors of education and health.
The criteria for "Health-Promoting Universities" involve an integrated system designed to improve the quality of life on campus. These standards include institutional policies that support health, a safe campus environment, mental health services, physical activity, proper nutrition, and the prevention of high-risk behaviors. Dr. Al Nabhani emphasized that these standards help create a sustainable educational environment that supports student success and the overall development of educational institutions.
The Director General praised the high level of commitment shown by participating universities, noting that the initiative has been translated into sustainable health programs and practices on the ground. She explained that the initiative aims to improve the physical and mental health of students, reduce negative health behaviors, and raise health awareness. Furthermore, it seeks to build a balanced student personality and improve academic achievement, as healthy students are better equipped for creativity and excellence.
Regarding the role of the Directorate General of Private Universities and Colleges, she noted that it oversees the implementation of the initiative within private higher education institutions, monitors performance indicators, and ensures continuous coordination with the Ministry of Health. The Directorate also works to enable universities to meet accreditation requirements and ensures that health concepts are integrated into both academic and administrative policies.
Al Nabhani also highlighted the National Forum for the Health-Promoting Universities Initiative, which was hosted by the University of A'Sharqiyah in the North A’Sharqiyah Governorate this December. The forum served as a vital national milestone, bringing together higher education institutions, the health sector, and international partners to exchange expertise and unify efforts toward building universities with global health standards.
This forum was the result of joint cooperation between the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation—represented by the Directorate General of Private Universities and Colleges—the Ministry of Health, and the World Health Organization. This model reflects the integration of roles between different sectors to promote health within educational institutions, ensuring that the quality of education remains inseparable from the quality of life and health on campus.
