Muscat: On Tuesday, the Environment Authority announced the signing of three agreements with academic institutions, securing research projects that have received funding from the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation.
The initial agreement, with Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), encompasses two projects. The foremost project, titled “Multi-criteria decision analysis for sustainable management of the Omani coast: Sohar and Salalah ports as a case study”, focuses on the conservation of ecosystems through the implementation of sustainable management practices in the coastal areas of Oman, with a particular emphasis on the ports of Sohar and Salalah.
The second project, associated with SQU, delves into the investigation of “mysterious energy sources and natural radiation levels” within Oman. This initiative aims to provide preliminary insights into the health and social implications of radiation exposure among Omani populations.
The third agreement, with the University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS), pertains to a research project titled “Measuring the concentration of radioactive radon gas in Oman, with special emphasis on its impact on public health. This project concentrates on the measurement of radon gas concentrations and the assessment of indoor air quality.
The final agreement, signed with the National University of Science and Technology (NU), is titled “Revolutionizing the sustainability of special economic zones in Oman: valorization of pollutant currents’ impact on products and developing a bio-electrochemical system-based biorefinery”. This project seeks to transform waste materials or pollutants into valuable products through the establishment of a bio-refinery based on bio-electrochemical systems. The facility is designed to extract the maximum value from waste materials by utilizing innovative technologies to convert pollutants into valuable products.
Dr. Abdullah bin Ali Al Amri, the Chairman of the Environment Authority, highlighted that the agreements signed today with these national universities are aimed at addressing three critical environmental issues. He further explained that each research project is supported by a technical team and a steering committee to ensure the timely achievement of the project's objectives.
The contracts were officially signed by Dr. Abdullah Ali Al Amri, Chairman of the Environment Authority, HH Sayyid Dr. Fahd Al Julanda Al Said, Vice-Chancellor of Sultan Qaboos University, Dr. Said Hamad Al Ruba’ee, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Technology and Applied Sciences, and Dr. Ali Saud Al Bimani, Vice-Chancellor of the National University of Science and Technology.
