His Excellency Professor Dr Saud bin Nasser Al-Riyami

His Excellency Professor Dr Saud bin Nasser Al-Riyami, Honorary DLitt

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His Excellency Professor Dr Saud bin Nasser Al-Riyami is one of Swansea University’s most distinguished alumni, and highly-esteemed President of Sultan Qaboos University in the State of Oman.

He gained his MA in Methods of Teaching Geography with first class honours from what was then the University College of Swansea in 1989. He then joined Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) as an instructor in the College of Education.  He studied for his PhD, in Methods of Teaching Social Studies at the University of Pittsburgh, returning to SQU afterwards.  In 2001, he became President at SQU.

He has brought a far-reaching vision to his role at SQU, facilitating joint research projects and securing memorandums of understanding with counterpart international universities and institutes including Swansea.   He has transformed SQU by authorising the construction of many new university colleges and centres and he has enhanced students’ experiences by personally chairing a committee focusing on improving student communication.

Dr Riyami was appointed as State Council Member by his Majesty Sultan of Oman with the Royal Decree in October 2014 for his outstanding contribution to Sultan Qaboos University and the Higher Education Sector in the Gulf Region.  

On receiving his degree, Dr Riyami said: “I am truly honoured to receive this award from Swansea University.  I am one of those who had the good fortune to graduate from this prestigious University with a degree which has ultimately aided me to secure my position at Sultan Qaboos University. This award means a lot not only for me, but for all Omani students and others who have studied at Swansea.”