Linking Traditions with Modern Concepts

Majid AL-Busafi speaks about the work and challenges of the physical education department at Sultan Qaboos University in Muscat (Oman).

ICSSPE: Please describe your organisation’s vision and mission?

Majid: The physical education department is committed to academic achievement and research excellence; and a community service where the highest moral and ethical values are sought which recognises and responds to the rapid changes that characterise the local and global arenas. The mission of the PHED is to facilitate the continuous improvement of teaching and to excel in discovery, learning, and engagement activities within the human movement sciences and sports performance across the lifespan. The PHED mission is fulfilled by creating, interpreting, transmitting, and applying sport sciences as well as research, scholarship, outreach services, and policy development to meet the needs of the Omani society. 

ICSSPE: What is your specific function within the organisation?

Majid: There are three functions I do in my department; teaching, research and community service. My main function is teaching sports coaching and athletics courses for master and bachelor students, as well as supervising master students with their thesis projects. As an academic staff, I have also to contribute to research field by conducting research projects. I am currently working with three research projects. I always try to work on research that addresses community issues. I am also involved in other activities such as reviewing research, participating in academic promotion committees, and in the editorial boards of international academic journals. Finally, in pursuance of the university’s policy to support community service and establish business relations with governmental and non-governmental organisations, the Department has organised a number of activities that directly address main stakeholders. These activities aim to create effective communication channels between the various bodies. Such activities include participation in conferences and research meetings, workshops, courses, consultative services, and coaching in international and Olympic associations.

ICSSPE: Which activities and projects are implemented in order to reach your goals and objectives?

Majid: In addition to teaching, research and community service, I am working now as a department coordinator for the accreditation project (2011-2016). I also participate with local and international conferences which allow me to come up with new ideas to develop my department. Finally, being a board member of Omani athletics Association is providing me with opportunities to contribute to serving my community in the field of sport. 

ICSSPE: What are the organisation’s target groups and who do you work together with?

Majid: A total number of 156 male and female students are registered with the department, which accepts approximately 30-40 students a year. Admission to the department is in accordance with a number of procedures: the Unified Admission Center, Ministry of Higher Education provides the list of students eligible for admission according to their scores in their General Education Diploma and their desire to enroll into the physical education department. The students are asked to perform a medical check-up at the student clinic in order to confirm their physical eligibility, including vision and hearing.

A department committee performs a physical check of the candidates to identify potential physical deformities that could affect their performance. Candidates go through a battery of physical fitness tests to assess their fitness. A final interview is conducted to assess the candidate’s communication skills, as well as their willingness to pursue their goals in the department.

ICSSPE: How does your organisation plan on positioning itself within the next few years and which topics are considered particularly important to be dealt with?

Majid: In order to continuously evaluate its progress and meet the requirements for academic accreditation, the department has developed its strategy in conformity with the strategies of the university and the college of education in order to keep abreast of advancements in its specialisations. It has sought to update its academic programmes and give its students access to new developments in their fields.