Under the patronage of His Excellency Dr. Hilal bin Ali Al-Sabti CEO of Oman Medical Specialty Board, the NU celebrated on Wednesday September 8,2021 the National University Day in Baushar campus through hosting the National Lecture Series under the theme (Innovation in Congenital Heart disease Intervention! How did it all start?) delivered by Dr. Prof Ziyad M. Hijazi, professor of pediatric & medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine/Chief Medical Officer/ Director Sidra Heart Center-Qatar. Dr Ali Al-Bimani, Vice-Chancellor of NU, a number of VIPs and members of the NU faculty were among the first who welcome the Chief Guest.
The ceremony was initiated by the national anthem followed by recitation of the Holy Quran then a speech of Dr. P Muhammad Ali, Chairman of the Executive Board of National University who welcomed the Chief Guest and the audience. Then an introductory video about the National University was viewed to audience.
After that, Dr. Ali Al Bimani, VC of the NU, gave an opening speech in which he showcase the achievements of the university in its three colleges. He went on to explain the high position that the NU has reached among the higher education institutions in Oman and its effective role in serving education in the Sultanate in full harmony with the aspirations of Oman Vision 2040 to achieve comprehensive education, sustainable learning and scientific research that leads to a knowledge society and competitive national capabilities, and thus this university is a partner and supporter of this strategic trend. He also salute the achievements that the university’s students and graduates have achieved from a global position, and won many awards at the regional and global levels.
Then Prof. Dr. Muhammad Al-Shafei, Dean of the College of Medicine and Health Sciences at the NU introduced the speaker, Prof. Ziyad Hijazy, and moderated the lecture, where Prof. Ziyad delivered the keynote speech and talked about the innovation of congenital heart diseases interventions and how they started. Dr Ziyad also cited some of the surgeries he performed that confirms his extensive experience in this field.
After that, the session moderator, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Al-Shafei, with the participation of Mr. Ibrahim Al-Balushi, ran an interactive session dedicated to questions and answers, and opened the door for discussion to all participants, where the participants from the academic and administrative staff and students interacted, and Dr. Ziyad Hijazi answered all the questions asked.
After the Q&A session, a video of the scientific research and the importance of its development was shown explaining to what extent the NU was committed to achieving this goal and raising the quality of education.
In a great initiative, Dr. Ahmed Al Balushi – Chair of NU Events Management Committee, in behalf of the university administration announced the winners of the National University Awards for the NU Best Researcher, Best Academic Excellence (faculty) , Best Admin Staff, Best Academic Support Staff, Best Student and Best Student’s Project. The Chief Guest with Dr. Ali Al-Bimani and Dr. Salim Al-Araimi, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Scientific Research, awarded and distributed the prizes to winners.
Dr. Ali Al-Bimani, with Deputy of VC for Academic Affairs and Scientific Research honored the chief guest,His Excellency Dr. Hilal bin Ali Al-Sabti, and the guest of honor. The Chief Guest together with the Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Scientific Research honored the keynote speaker of the lecture, Dr. Ziyad Hijazi, followed by a word of thanks delivered by Dr. Salim Al-Araimi, who expressed the appreciation of the National to the Chief Guest, the keynote speaker and all participants.
At the end of the ceremony, the Chief Guest visited the Student Projects Corner to have closely have a look on the achievements and projects of the students, support them and praise what they provide, to motivate them to continue and do more in the service of education.