Executive Management Committee

EMC

Vice Chancellor: Dr Hamdan Sulaiman Al Fazari

Dr. Hamdan bin Sulaiman Al Fazari, Vice Chancellor of Sohar University, is an Associate Professor with a PhD from the National Institute of Applied Sciences of the University of Toulouse and he holds a Master Business Administration from the Toulouse Business School in Toulouse, France. Dr. Hamdan studied AeroSystems Engineering at Cranwell Military College in the United Kingdom, and he also holds a Diploma in Military Science and another Diploma in Leadership and Management from the United Kingdom.

Dr. Hamdan joined Sohar University in 2013 as Pro-Vice Chancellor for Resources, was promoted to Deputy Vice Chancellor for Resources in 2018, and in January 2022 was appointed as the Vice Chancellor of the University.

Previously, Dr. Hamdan worked as an Aeronautical Engineer at the Royal Air Force of Oman, working in the academic and technological education sector, and he has an outstanding track record of experience in aerospace engineering, academic and technological leadership. He has held several senior management positions and has significant experience in strategic management in higher education and other sectors. In addition, Dr. Hamdan has a rich track record in teaching, research, institutional and program evaluation, and the supervision of doctoral and master’s theses. He is also a member of a number of professional bodies and is either the Chair or a member of several committees at the local and international levels. For example, Dr. Hamdan is an external reviewer at the Oman Academic Accreditation Authority and Quality Assurance in the Sultanate; a member of the International Academy for Business Development in the United States of America, and a Fellow of the Royal Aviation Society in the United Kingdom. Dr. Hamdan has extensive contacts with a large number of universities, research laboratories, industrial and research institutions in the Sultanate and abroad.

Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs): Professor Hamza Edrees

Few people can boast the wealth of academic and administrative experience accrued at Sohar University by Professor Hamza Edrees. Professor Hamza Edrees joined Sohar University in 2000, following a research and teaching tenure at Strathclyde University. Since then, he has served as Acting Vice Chancellor and Acting Dean of the Faculty of Computing and Information Technology. However, it is his Deanship of the Faculty of Engineering which, perhaps, has been his most significant achievement. Today, the Faculty offers Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree Programmes in Civil, Electrical and Computer, Chemical and Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, and a Master’s Degree in Environmental Engineering. Professor Hamza is now Sohar University’s Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and, currently, brings his administrative expertise to the Quality Assurance system at the University.

Pro Vice Chancellor (Administration & Finance): Dr Mohammed Al-Maqbali

Dr. Mohammed Al-Maqbali is Pro Vice Chancellor for Administration & Finance. Dr. Mohammed completed a Master’s degree in International Educational Management at the University of Leeds (UK) and was awarded a Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) at the United Arab Emirates University. He joined Sohar University in 2007, serving, first, as Executive Manager of the Office of the Vice Chancellor, then as Pro Vice Chancellor for Admin & Finance, then for four years, as Pro Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, and then from 2017 to 2021, as Pro Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Engagement.

Dr. Mohammed has served on the Sohar Municipal Committee, is President of the Hayat Group, Sohar, an organisation devoted to supporting disadvantaged people in the local area and is a patron of the Al Noor Association for the Blind (Al Batinah North), so his tenure as PVC for Student Affairs signaled his keynote contribution to the University and our wider community, and has made him, of course, eminently suited to and qualified for the post of PVC for Student Affairs and Engagement.

Pro Vice Chancellor (Students Affairs): Dr Awadh Al Mamari

Dr. Awadh Ali Al Mamari is currently the Pro Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at Sohar University. Awadh Ali Al Mamari is known for his visionary leadership in cultivating a student-centric academic atmosphere. Commencing his tenure at Sohar University in October 2023, Dr. Awadh Al Mamari previously upheld the esteemed position of Assistant Vice Chancellor at the University of Technology and Applied Sciences until September 2023.

Dr. Awadh Al Mamari got his MSc and PhD in marketing from the University of East Anglia, UK, and assumes an assistant professorship. His nine-year leadership in various deanship roles showcases a deep understanding of the challenges students encounter in their academic journey. Acknowledged for spearheading dynamic teams, he consistently prioritizes both academic accomplishment and holistic personal development.

Dr. Awadh strongly believes that the excellence of any academic institute comes from the positive atmosphere provided for the staff and students.

Pro Vice Chancellor (Research and Innovation): Professor Ghassan Al-Kindi

Professor Ghassan Al Kindi is Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation. Before joining us at Sohar University, Professor Ghassan served as visiting professor and honorary research associate at Monash University and the University of Queensland (both Australia). He is a winner of the prestigious Joseph Whitworth Prize, awarded by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (UK), and has accrued over thirty years’ experience in the design and application of industrial processes, specializing in automation and manufacturing. He is currently an editorial board member of 3 international journals, has been widely published and has delivered papers at a host of international conferences. Professor Ghassan’s considerable contribution to the University can be counted in the wealth of research and consultancy projects he has won and in his supervision of the progress of our post-graduate Masters’ and PhD students.