Purpose: This theoretical paper aims to draw on existing literature to examine the case for libraries to play a key role in the democratization of Oman. This paper is intended to provide foundation for further empirical research to develop a proposed future strategy for Oman’s library sector that will help facilitate the future political and economic transition of the Sultanate. Design/methodology/approach: This is a theoretical study that draws on existing literature to examine the case for libraries to play a key role in the democratization of Oman. Findings: There are four main ways in which public libraries support democratization are identified and discussed: providing access to information, ensuring inclusivity of knowledge, forming a community hub for interaction and dialogue and promoting social inclusion through internet access. Originality/value: As Oman undergoes political and economic transition, this study and the follow-on empirical research will be highly significant in ensuring that the expansion of democratic processes in Oman proceeds peacefully and that the Sultanate provides a best practice model for Islamic democracy within the Gulf Cooperation Council region and globally.

It is well established that college students need not only to learn subjects but also extracurricular activities. Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), in Oman, provides extracurricular activities for students in addition to academic activities. However, the administration noted that students were hesitant to join extracurricular activities. SQU developed a new system dubbed “1000” points in 2020 to increase student involvement. The goal of the current study is to define the 1000-point initiatives. To achieve the study goals, a survey was utilized to collect data and content analysis. SQU generally has 25 student organizations. Also, according to the report, the 1000-point program was created to motivate SQU students to join in extracurricular activities by tracking their involvement and classifying it into four categories. In order to increase students’ awareness of the system and its use, the system has to be made mandatory.

This study aims to identify the difficulties that faculty members at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) face and their impact on the quality of their teaching. Difficulties and obstacles are categorized into four groups: laboratories and teaching aids, academic promotion, administration and community service. It also aims to identify the statistically significant differences between faculty members according to the variables of age, gender, academic degree, teaching experience and nationality. The study population was (100) faculty members from four colleges at SQU, which are College of Education, Arts and Social Sciences, Engineering and College of Science. The study uses the questionnaire as a data collection tool. The results of this study show that there are statistically significant differences between faculty members with regard to laboratories and teaching aids attributed to the variables of gender, age and college. However, the study shows that there are no statistically significant differences between faculty members in terms of teaching experience. Finally, the study concludes with an important recommendation that will hopefully contribute to the enhancement of the quality of teaching, scientific research and community service at SQU.

The Internet is an evolving medium that continuously presents new functionalities. Children’s Internet usage is also continuously changing. This requires vigilance with regard to Internet risk behavior and safe Internet use. The present article presents a structured overview of Internet risks and summarizes approaches to foster safe Internet behavior. Based on a cross-sectional study, internet usage of year six of the young children at Sultan School in Oman has been researched. The focus is to identify the risks that the children in year six at Sultan School face. Examples of this risk include content and contact risks. The study aims to explore the role that parents play in guiding their children when they use the Internet. Based on the analysis of survey data from 88 children, trends in their (un)safe Internet usage are studied in the year 2011. The results of this study show that 32.2% of the participants in this study use the Internet three hours, and 42.2% of them use chat rooms. With regard to parents’ role, the study found that 66.7% of the parents did not play a role in controlling or guiding their children when they use the Internet. Finally the study found that 66.7% of the informants are exposed to risk through the use of the Internet.

The Internet is an evolving medium that continuously presents new functionalities. Children’s Internet usage is also continuously changing. This requires vigilance with regard to Internet risk behavior and safe Internet use. The present article presents a structured overview of Internet risks and summarizes approaches to foster safe Internet behavior. Based on a cross-sectional study, internet usage of year six of the young children at Sultan School in Oman has been researched. The focus is to identify the risks that the children in year six at Sultan School face. Examples of this risk include content and contact risks. The study aims to explore the role that parents play in guiding their children when they use the Internet. Based on the analysis of survey data from 88 children, trends in their (un)safe Internet usage are studied in the year 2011. The results of this study show that 32.2% of the participants in this study use the Internet three hours, and 42.2% of them use chat rooms. With regard to parents’ role, the study found that 66.7% of the parents did not play a role in controlling or guiding their children when they use the Internet. Finally the study found that 66.7% of the informants are exposed to risk through the use of the Internet.