Evaluating Sultan Qaboos University’s Experience in Implementing International Student Activities (The Twenty-Third Annual Student Trip for High- Achieving and Distinguished Students as a Model)

الملخص

This study aimed to evaluate Sultan Qaboos University’s experience in implementing international student activities, drawing on the University’s vision that regards student activity as complementary to the educational process. Such activities provide students with an outlet to pursue their hobbies and talents, constitute a primary catalyst for fostering leadership and teamwork, promote innovation, and strengthen both individual and collective capacities among male and female students. In line with the University’s strategy and mission, the Deanship of Student Affairs at Sultan Qaboos University has been committed to offering a range of high-quality non-academic services to students across social, athletic, and cultural domains, with the aim of supporting the educational process and enhancing students’ attainment of academic excellence. Among the most significant student activities implemented at Sultan Qaboos University—and included within the Royal Grant of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said bin Taimur, may his soul rest in peace—is the annual student trip for high-achieving and distinguished students. This initiative seeks to honor students who excel academically and those who demonstrate distinction in student activities, by enabling their participation in an annual trip designed to introduce them to diverse scientific and cultural experiences in the countries where these trips are conducted. It also aims to provide them with new knowledge that refines their talents, equips them with beneficial skills and experiences, and showcases their capacities through planned visits, dialogues, and interactive activities. Accordingly, this study examined and evaluated the twenty-third annual student trip for high-achieving and distinguished students of Sultan Qaboos University to the Republic of Türkiye. This was accomplished by surveying the views of returning participants (N = 36). The study falls within evaluative research and employs the social survey method using a sample. The findings yielded a set of proposals that may contribute to strengthening this type of activity at Sultan Qaboos University in the future.

الكلمات المفتاحية