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The labor laws of the Sultanate of Oman and all other laws of the state are applicable to Omani & non-Omani residents alike.

Notice

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Preparation: Human Resources Department Abdullah Al Hinai Eman Al Marzouqi Zaher Al Hosni Mariam Al Kotaibi Khalfan Al Buraiki Shamsa Al Buraiki Mohammed Al Belushi Shaikha Al Belushi

Design: Communications & External Relations Amina Al Shizawi Nawf Al-Senaidi

Linguistic Revision Mr. Roger Ledsham

Supervision and Follow- up Abdullah bin Ali al Hinaai

General Supervision Dr. Hamdan bin Sulaiman Al Fazari

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Senior Managers of Sohar University. ………….2

Introduction ……………………………………….. 5

Sohar University …………………………..….…. .6

Academic Affiliation and Recognition……….… ..7

Vision and Mission……………………...……....... 8

University Faculties…..……………………..……..9

Academic and Administrative Staff .……………10

SU Campus, Amenities & Services…….......11-12

Sohar …………………………………….…….….13

Sohar fort ……………………………….….……..14

Telecommunications Companies …..….…...….15

Banks…….………………………………….….…16

Health Centers and Hospitals...….……..………17

Hotels…………………………………….….…….18

Shopping…………………………………….........19

Travel and Tourism Offices ……….……………20

Housing.……………………………….….……….21

Restaurants……………………….…..………22-23

Transportation ……...…………………….… 24-25

Public and Private Schools in Sohar ………26-29

Health Insurance ………………………...... 30 -33

The Duties of HR Department ………………….34

Services provided by the HR Department ….…35

Human Resources Department Staff Contact

Details …………………………..………….…... 41

CONTENT

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The Human Resources Department at Sohar University is pleased to extend a warm

welcome to all new staff members and wishes them success in their new professional

lives in Sohar or, if they have arrived from places beyond our shores, in the Sultanate of

Oman. It is hoped that all of our staff members will fulfill their respective duties in the best

manner and strive to further advance the already high standards of education provided by

Sohar University, as was envisioned by the enlightened and forward-thinking leadership of

His Majesty, Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said; may Allah protect him.

Staff members of Sohar University have been engaged to perform their duties to the full

satisfaction of the three production parties - the Government, fellow staff members and

the University itself. For our part, the Human Resources Department pledges to ensure

the cooperation and respect of all administrative and academic departments and

personnel at the University and to uphold your rights as an employee, as set out in the

labour laws of Oman. In addition, we pledge to do our utmost to meet your needs and to

assist you, to the very best of our means and abilities, in discharging your duties.

To help you settle into your new environment, the Human Resources Department is

pleased to present you with this guide book. It contains essential background information

about the University and the city of Sohar and includes detailed information about the

Human Resources Department and the services it provides to University staff.

We are privileged to be part of this leading University, its vision, mission and values, and

are pleased that you have chosen to join us. May Allah grant success and prosperity to us

all.

Abdullah bin Ali Al Hinai…

Human Resources Manager

INTRODUCTION

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Sohar University was founded, in 1997, as Sohar College of Applied Sciences. In 2001,

following four years of success as an institute of higher education, the Ministry of Higher

Education granted the College official approval to commence operations as the first

private university in the Sultanate of Oman. This was a landmark ruling in the

development of higher education in the Sultanate and one of which Sohar University is

rightly proud. It underscored the resolve of His Majesty, Sultan Qaboos bin Said, Sultan of

Oman, to create a highly-educated generation of young people equipped to excel in a

rapidly changing industrial and commercial world which they, themselves, would shape.

SOHAR UNIVERSITY

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Sohar University’s degree and diploma programmes were, initially, affiliated with the

University of Queensland, Australia, and guided much of its academic delivery. However,

as SU has grown in capability and confidence in the last decade, the nature of the SU-UQ

agreement and the level of institutional support have changed over time. While, the link

with UQ remains strong, Sohar University, since 2012, now confers its own awards on all

its graduates. In addition, Sohar University degrees holders are admitted to master’s

degree programmes at the University of Queensland and, if in possession of the

necessary qualifications in English, are accepted on master’s and doctorate programmes

at any institute of higher education.

At the time of writing, degrees and diplomas awarded by Sohar University are recognised

by the Kingdom of Jordan, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the United Arab Emirates and the

Islamic Republic of Pakistan. This recognition means that the University can attract

students from our regional neighbours and that, on graduation, they can return to their

home countries with an accredited academic or professional qualification. Recognition

from Pakistan means that Sohar University is in a position to attract students from beyond

the Middle East region. We should also remember that Sohar University’s expanding

recognition will allow graduates who are Omani nationals to pursue a professional career

abroad and to take with them qualifications that are accepted everywhere.

ACADEMIC AFFILIATION & RECOGNITION

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Vision The vision of Sohar University is to be recognized internationally as an inclusive university of excellence, achieved through quality teaching, research and engagement that adds value to the economy, society and culture of Oman. Mission To develop skilled, knowledgeable and enterprising graduates who, through their challenging learning experience at Sohar University, are able to contribute effectively to the changing world in which they live and work.

VISION & MISSION

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Today, Sohar University comprises six faculties – the faculties of Business, Computing & Information Technology, Education & Arts, Engineering, Language Studies and the Faculty of Law. In addition, the university’s English language courses are supported by a dynamic and forward-looking General Foundation Programme which, through its academic preparation component, provides a bridge for the student between school and life in academia.

FACULITIES OF THE UNIVERSITY

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To meet the requirements of our quality assurance criteria and the terms and

conditions of our national educational authorities, including our industrial and

commercial partners, Sohar University recognises the need to source outstanding,

qualified and experienced professionals from wherever they might hail – and this is

why you are here. Currently, our faculty and managerial departments host

academicians, professional educators, managers and staff of many nationalities,

each drawn from institutes of higher education located in Oman, in the wider Gulf

region and from far beyond our shores. Their diverse cultures, professional

qualifications and accrued international expertise benefit the University as a centre

of learning and the learning experience of our students - and they will benefit you,

also.

ACADEMIC & ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

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Sohar University’s modern and expanding campus features buildings of

considerable architectural interest, the latest addition to which is the magnificent

Learning Resources Centre, located on the north of the campus.

The campus hosts first-rate amenities and support services for residential and non-

residential students, including on and off-campus accommodation, 24 hour medical

care, prayer rooms, off-campus transport for students and a choice of on-campus

restaurants. The restaurants provide separate dining facilities for male and female

students and for University staff members.

The campus amenities are supplemented by academic support services, such as

the Student Counselling Centre, the Centre for Continuing Education, the Alumni &

Career Guidance Centre and an on-campus bookshop and copying service.

UNIVERSITY CAMPUS, AMENITIES & SERVICES

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Student Accommodation

A student hostel is provided for our resident female students and is located in the

East of the campus. It offers a sea-view from some of its 350 rooms and, for the

rest, a view across the beautiful campus and the outlying, palm-forested areas.

The hostel benefits from its own contingent of security personnel, a cleaning

services team and hostel supervisors. The hostel is, of course, equipped with TV

rooms and wifi for internet browsers and keen researchers. Finally, and perhaps

most importantly, our student-residents are provided with round-the-clock medical

services, offered, primarily, from the on-campus clinic and supplemented by the

24-7 readiness of the University ambulance service.

Sports Facilites

A variety of sports facilities are already in place on the campus, including a full-size

soccer pitch laid with grass, and five-a-side pitches laid with artificial turf. In

addition, the University is constructing a new sports centre, located to the South of

the campus. The centre will provide both all-weather and indoor sports facilities for

a host of different sports and is intended to be enjoyed by male and female

students.

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Sohar is a city in the Sultanate of Oman. It is located on the Gulf of Oman and is

around 240 kilometers north of the capital city, Muscat, and a similar distance from

Dubai, in the neighbouring United Arab Emirates. The city is noted for its tradition

of fishing, its extraordinary greenery, its modern port facilities and rapidly growing

industrial and commercial areas. The industrial area is host to many international

companies and is served by Sohar International Airport. As such, the city offers a

wealth of career opportunities, and Sohar University has built and is continuing to

strengthen its industrial and commercial partnerships in order to provide its

students with undergraduate work-placement and internship programmes.

The success of Sohar as an industrial and commercial hub, equipped to serve

Oman and its partners in the Middle East and beyond, remains a primary focus of

Oman 2020, the government’s plan to boost industrialisation, enhance the

logistical infrastructure and support local and offshore investment in the private

sector.

SOHAR

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For the tourist and resident alike, Sohar offers a lengthy coastline with clean,

sandy beaches and, of course, the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Oman. The local

hotels also provide swimming pools, gyms, spa amenities and restaurants. Beyond

the city, there are mountains for the hill walker or dedicated climber and, for the

rambler or adventurous off-road driver, wadis with all-year spring water. The town

centre features an array of modern attractions, including a shopping mall and a

gold souq. Traditional attractions can be found in the beautiful architecture of the

many mosques in Sohar which, by 2017, will be enhanced further by the

magnificent Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, which shall be the jewel in the crown

of Sohar’s extraordinary architectural heritage, old and new, traditional and

modern. Finally, the very history of the city can be seen and explored in the newly-

restored, late thirteenth century fort, which is located in a particularly leafy area,

overlooking the sea and opposite the beautiful Corniche, a favourite location of the

keen, evening walker.

SOHAR FORT

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Telecommunications and Internet Service Providers in Sohar:

Omantel is the national telecommunications service provider of the Sultanate of

Oman. Omantel has offices in every town and city in the country and there are two

in Sohar, one of which is in the easy-to-find Safeer Mall while the main customer

service office is in the souq. Ooreedo, is a private service provider and, similarly, is

represented throughout the country. Ooreedo also has offices in Safeer Mall and in

the souq. Ask your colleagues which service they think is the best and you will

receive a variety of opinions. Your decision might be determined on the quality of

the customer service that you experience when visiting the respective companies’

offices.

Communication Centre

Telephone No.

Sohar Branch

Telephone No. Company SL

26840088 1234 Oman Telecommunication

Company (Omantel) 1.

95022517 1500 Ooreedo (previously

Nawras Telecom) 2.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANIES Services Available in the Governate of Sohar

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Most of the banks are located in the Souq, the popular shopping area that pre-dates

the arrival of Safeer Mall and the Lulu Hypermarket. The Souq is easily accessed by

a modern road network, although you are advised to find a parking place a walking

distance from the bank that you are visiting, as parking next to it will be difficult and

won’t be worth the effort.

Phone Location in Sohar Bank SL

26844857 Al Hambar/Souq HSBC (The British Bank) 1

26859106 Al Wuqaiba/Souq National Bank of Oman (main branch) 2

26842709 Al Wuqaibal/Souq Sohar Bank 3

26845512 Al Wuqaiba/Souq Dhofar Bank 4

26751494 Al Wuqaiba/Souq Bank Muscat (main branch) 5

26842376 Turaif Oman Arab Bank 6

26843848 Al Hambar/Souq Habib Bank Limited 7

80070060 Al Wuqaiba/Souq Nizwa Bank 8

BANKS Services Available in the Governate of Sohar

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Treatment at the private hospitals and health centres in Oman is world-class and is

covered by the health insurance given to Sohar University staff. However, should

they choose to do so, staff members can also attend the government health centres,

pay the treatment fees there, and claim a refund from the Human Resources

Department - when this is in accord with the terms and conditions agreed upon.

Phone Location HOSPITAL SL

26840022 Al Hambar Sohar Medical Complex (government) 1

26866051 Al Multaqa Al Multaqa Health Centre (government) 2

26721362 Owaynat Owaynat Health Centre (government) 3

- Turaif Turaif Health Centre (government) 4

26704300 Al Hambar Al Raffah Medical Centre (Private) 5

26846660 Al Wuqaiba Badr Al Samaa (Private) 6

26753084 Falaj Al Qaba'Il Lifeline hospital (Private) 7

HEALTH CENTRES & HOSPITALS Services Available in the Governate of Sohar

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Hotels numbered 1 to 6 in the table below cater to visitors and local residents alike. Each has a swimming pool and a gymnasium and local residents can pay a 3, 6 or 12 monthly membership fee or pay a daily fee to enjoy the facilities on offer. Currently, the Sohar Beach hotel is very popular with local residents, affording beach-front facilities, a restaurant and a newly refurbished gymnasium. The Crown Plaza offers a high level of luxury although the hotel might be considered a little far out of town for residents who live in central Sohar or near the University.

Phone Location in Sohar Hotel SL

26850850 Falaj Al Qaba'il Crowne Plaza 1

26842111 Salan Sohar Beach 2

26840058 Al Ghachbah Al Wadi 3

26640000 Salan Radisson Blu 4

26846077 Muwaileh Green Oasis 5

Coming in late 2016 Ibis Styles 6

26853009 Al Wuqaiba Atlas Hotel Apartments 7

26844531 Salan Butterfly Hotel Apartments 8

26841416 Falaj Al Qaba'il Manam Hotel Apartments 9

26762717 Al Auhi Oasis Hotel Apartments 10

26750116 Falaj Al Qaba'il Thuraya Hotel Apartments 11

26841316 Al Hajra Sadaf Hotel Apartments 12

26844540 Al Hambar Mabahej Granada Apartments 13

HOTELS Services Available in the Governate of Sohar

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Carrefour and Lulu, the biggest hypermarket chains in the region, are represented in Sohar. There is also a huge variety of hypermarkets, supermarkets and local shops which sell prepared and fresh foods and a host of consumer goods, including large, domestic appliances. The resident consumer of Sohar will want for nothing in his or her shopping experience.

Location in Sohar Commercial Centre S L

Turaif ‎Safeer Mall, including Carrefour 1

Al Wuqaiba Sohar Plaza 2

Wadi Hibi Road Lulu Hypermarket 3

Salan Meera Hypermarket 4

Al Hajra Grand Hypermarket 5

Falaj Al Qaba'il National Markets 6

Al Hambar Kimji 7

Turaif Sohar International Gifts 8

Al Wuqaiba Capital Store 9

Al Wuqaiba AL-Jazeera Markets 10

Al Hajra Sohar Market 11

Al Hambar Sohar Market (Souq area) 12

SHOPPING Services Available in the Governate of Sohar

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Travel and tourism offices offer regular and special flight bookings. Most of their

offices are located in the Al Hambar Al Wuqaiba commercial areas, known locally as

‘the souq’.

Phone Office SL

26841412 National Travel and Tourism Bureau 1

26845507 Al Hashar Travel and Tourism 2

26846388 Al Shanfari Travel and Tourism 3

26846516 Bahwan Travel Agencies 4

26843344 Dubai Travel 5

26845988 Marmul Travel and Tourism 6

26840316 Ihab Travels 7

TRAVEL & TOURISM OFFICES Services Available in the Governate of Sohar

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here are several real estate offices in Sohar to help you find accommodation.

Phone number Location Office SL

99353409 99385602

Al Hambar Sohar Oasis Real Estate 1

95951002 99227785

Al Hambar Arkan Sohar Real Estate 2

99782743 Turaif Muhammed Amer AL-Jumhuri 3 NOTE: These offices are private and are not affiliated with Sohar University in any way.

Housing rates in Sohar

Approximate Price OMR

Type Location SL

150 - 200 Two-bedroom apartment with utilities

Aotb - Khor Siyabi - Sawaihreh

1

200 -300 Ground floor villa

150 – 200 Two-bedroom apartment with utilities

Al Ghayl - Shizaw – Sabara

2 250 – 300 Ground floor villa

150 – 200 Two-bedroom apartment with utilities

Alhambar- Al Wuqaiba - Alhajra

3

250 – 300 Ground floor villa

150 – 250 Two-bedroom apartment with utilities

Turaif-Al Gashbah- Al Auhi

4 200 – 300 Ground floor villa

NOTE: the above-mentioned rates may change and are subject to demand and supply. It should be mentioned that very few

apartments are furnished and equipped with air conditioning units – which you will need.

HOUSING & ACCOMMODATION FOR STAFF Staff Services Available in the Governate of Sohar

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You can enjoy Arabic, Turkish, Indian, Chinese and Iranian dishes as well as sea

food at the following selected restaurants:

SL Restaurant Location Phone number

1 Pizza Hut Al Hambar 26841155

2 KFC Al Hambar 24477777

3 McDonald's Turaif 26853133

4 Dawat Souq

5 Fast-food Complex at Assarain Service Centre

Ghail Shaboul

6 Restaurants and cafes of Safeer Mall Turaif

7 Sohar Plaza Restaurants Complex Al Wuqaiba 26844617

8 Dhow MARINA Restaurant Al Hajra 22046999

9 Food Land Restaurant Turaif

RESTAURANTS Services Available in the Governate of Sohar

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SL Restaurant Location Phone number

10 Spicy Village Restaurant Al Wuqaiba

11 Golden Goal Restaurant Al Wuqaiba 26843900

12 Sunlight Restaurant Al Wuqaiba

13 Make yourself at home for Turkish, Arabic and Iranian food.

Al Hambar 96366360

14 Arabic table restaurant for Omani and

Yemeni food Al Hambar 98262999

15 Aleppo countryside restaurant Al Wuqaiba

16 Iran Sadaf Restaurant Al Wuqaiba

17 Indian House Restaurant Turaif

18 Omar Khayyam Restaurant Al Hambar 26844606

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There is no public transport in Sohar other than taxis. Taxis are ordinary family sedans painted

orange and white. They will stop to pick you up if you signal them. Taxis are not fitted with

meters and it is the custom to simply give the driver what is accepted as an appropriate fee.

Standardised fees, which are not high, are detailed below. If you want to travel to Muscat or to

the outlying towns of Shinas, Liwa, Al Buraimi - or to the UAE - you can go to the taxi ranks,

which are located at the flyover between Lulu Hypermarket and the Oman Gift Market, and

take a taxi from there.

The regular fare, when traveling with other passengers, is 200

baiza per kilometer. Fares for passengers who choose not to

share are not as cheap, but are usually negotiable. In 2016,

the taxi fare to Muscat, some 240 kilometres away, is just 10

riyals.

Taxis might also be mini buses and you will learn to recognize

them. They, too, will stop to pick you up if you signal them.

Services Available in the Governate of Sohar

TRANSPORTATION

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Car rentals: You can hire a car to suit your needs by visiting any of the car rental offices in Sohar.

These will offer a range of vehicles, from small, family sedans to purpose-built, off-road

vehicles for desert exploration.

Phone number Location in Sohar Office SL

22005321 95500892

Al Wuqaiba Al-Fakhama Rent A Car 1

26840392 99263557

Al Wuqaiba Budget Rent A Car 2

91677200 Al Wuqaiba Gold Star Rent A Car 3

96602404 Al Hambar Sohar Rent A Car 4

Al Wuqaiba Hamdani Office Rent A Car 5

Car purchasing:

Almost all of the major car manufacturers are represented at sales rooms in Sohar.

There is also a lively, used car market and you will soon learn where private vendors

park cars that they are offering for sale. A colleague or local resident can advise you on

this. We do not want to show favouritism, especially as car buying can be guided by

personal preference, but it should be noted that Japanese cars do well in Oman’s

extremely hot climate, their air conditioning units are efficient and reliable (and you will

need them to be) and they tend to command higher resale prices. In addition, local

mechanics are adept at repairing them and can source a vast supply of cheap, good

quality used spare parts to help you keep service and repair costs down.

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Every school listed below provides morning classes. For verification on changed timings,

where they might have occurred, contact the school.

SN Cod

e Public School Village Phone No.

1 2123 Wisdom Basic School, grades (1- 4) Al Hambar 26843492

2 2124 Al Ishraq Basic School,grades (1- 4) Al Hambar 26840243

3 2127 Ryiadh Al Ilm Basic School, grades (1- 4) Salan 26840683

4 2153 Al Hambar Basic School, grades (1- 4) Al Hambar 26843235

5 2155 Al Karama Basic School, grades (1- 4) Al Turaif 26840114

6 2157 Al Ahd Al Zahir Basic School, grades (1- 4) Ghil Al Shubul 26841339

7 2160 Al Rkhaa Basic School, grades (1- 4) Harat Al Sheikh

92296058

8 2163 Al Suwihira Basic School, grades (1- 4) Al Suwihira 26845473

9 2164 Hind bint Al Muhallab Basic School grades (1- 4) Al Afifa 92827435

10 2103 Khalfan bin Jamil basic school boys grades (5-10) Al Hadhira 26840575

11 2107 Sofyiene Abbad basic school boys grades (5-10) Al Ghashba 26866206

12 2109 Mahboob bin Al Ruhail basic school boys grades (5-10)

Falaj Alqabael 26750066

13 2111 Mohammed bin Mahboob Al Ruhail basic school boys grades (5-10)

Al AWidat 26720966

14 2113 Seif bin Hubaira basic school boys grades (5-10) Al Suwaihera 26720488

15 2115 Imam Ahmad bin Said basic school boys grades (5-10)

Al Hambar 26842791

16 2117 Abu Hamza Al Shari basic school boys grades (5-10)

Majz Al Kubra 26720909

17 2121 Abu Almundher Al Ruhaili basic school boys grades (5-12)

HAIBI 99805645

18 2141 Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al Kindi basic school boys grades (5-12)

Wadi Aljezi 25669256

PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN SOHAR

Services Available in the Governate of Sohar

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19 2125 Abdullah bin Basheer Al Hadhrami basic school boys grades (5-10)

Al Turaif 26842215

20 2143 Abu Malik Alaslani basic school boys grades (5-10)

Sih Al Barir 99874151

21 2159 Ali Ibn Abi Talib basic school boys grades (5-10) Al Khuawryia -

22 2126 Al Turaif Basic School – girls grades (5-10) Al Turaif 26843926

23 2131 Al Shifaa bint Abdullah Basic School – girls (5-10) Majis 26750077

24 2133 Al Safaa Basic School – girls (5-10) Al Hambar 26843380

25 2135 Um Saleem Basic School – girls (5-10) Al Afifa 26866335

26 2139 Tabuk Basic School – girls (5-10) Salan 26842565

27 2156 Al Turaif Basic School – girls (5-10) Al Suwaihira 26720492

28 2110 Al Fatah Basic School grades (1- 10) Falaj Al Qabael

26751497

29 2147 Wadi Al Halti Basic School grades (1- 10) Al Maarsha 99879807

30 2149 Dhammam bin Al Saieb Basic School grades (1- 10)

Al Shaibat 99854151

31 2142 Wad Al Jezi Basic School grades (1- 10) Wadi Al Jezi 25669255

32 2119 Um Ammar Basic School grades (1- 10) Al Malqa 26751810

33 2122 Wadi Haibi Basic School grades (1- 10) Haibi 99805644

34 2144 Al Istiqama Basic School grades (1- 10) Sih Al Barir 99802567

35 2145 Aisha bint Saad bint Abi Waqqas Basic School grades (1- 10)

Al Khadd 99805646

36 2162 Al Rissala Basic School grades (1- 10) Al Aouinaat 26720613

37 2155 Naeem bin Masoud school for boys – grades (11- 12)

Al Malqa 26750661

38 2101 Sohar school for boys – grades (11- 12) Al Hambar 26840198

39 2152 Masoud bin Ramadhan school for boys – grades (11- 12)

Al Turaif 26843585

40 2129 Um Salama school for girls – grades (11- 12) Al Hambar 26841574

41 2150 Hawaa bint Yazeed school for girls – grades (11- 12)

Falaj Al Uhi 26844828

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SL Private School Village Educational

program Grade levels

Phone number

1 Indian School Alhambar International 1 – 12 26841885

2 Pakistan school Alhambar International 1 – 12 99776920

3 Bangladeshi school Alloukibh Universal 1 – 8 99063808

4 Sohar International Turaif International 3 – 11 26846434

5 Sohar International (Branch)

Owaynat International 1 – 2 26720206

6 Batinah International Muwaileh International 1 – 11 95607199

7 A'ssafwah Private School Owaynat Bilingual 1 – 8 26721172

8 Knowledge Oasis private school

Turaif Bilingual 1 – 6 95355919

9 Khwarizmi Private school Falaj Al Qaba'Il Bilingual 1 – 8 26750696

10 Al Nomou private school Falaj Al Qaba'Il Bilingual 1 – 4 26753676

11 AL falj private nursery AL hajra Bilingual 1 – 7 26846669

12 Faydh Nour private school Falaj Alauha Bilingual 1 – 6 98535655

13 Al Mawakib private school Al Moltaqua Bilingual 1 – 3 26866137

14 Ahmed bin Saeed private school

Turaif Bilingual 1 – 6 26843477

15 Souihra private school Souihra Bilingual First 92234684

16 Baraiim al Mostakbal private school

Al Hambar Bilingual First 26842452

17 Nour al Manahel private school

Salan Bilingual First 26844900

18 Nour al Mostakbel private school

Falaj Al Qaba'Il Monolingual First 99590824

PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN SOHAR

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19 Al Dhahabia private nursery

Al Gachba Monolingual 1 – 2 95525118

20 Al Maany private scgool Turaif Monolingual First 98173404

21 Al Ghad private school Harat Cheikh Bilingual KG 99539387

22 Kanadil al Ilm private nursery

Al Jafraa Nursery First 92798499

23 Rawaiih al Ilm private nursery

Falaj Al Qaba'Il Nursery KG 95992240

24 Batinah for teaching the holy Koran

Al Hambar The Holy

Koran KG 92556105

25 Al Wafaa for teaching the holy Koran

Falaj Al Qaba'Il The Holy

Koran KG 93247161

26 Sohar Baraiim for teaching the holy Koran

Al Wuqaiba The Holy

Koran KG 99605927

27 Al Itkan for teaching the holy Koran

Al Gachba The Holy

Koran KG 99519150

30

Health insurance provides a health coverage system, in line with the terms and conditions

that were agreed upon in the insurance policy between the University and the insurer.

Insurance coverage usually includes medical consultations, lab tests, medication, surgery

and hospital stays, including stays in intensive care units.

Treatment given outside a hospital or other medical service provider might include medical

consultation, medication, lab tests and daily care given by a nurse.

Sohar University’s insurance policies cover all countries except Canada and the United

States. This includes and applies to all optional treatment or to emergencies, and applies

whether the employee is on vacation or on official duty on behalf of the University.

HEALTH INSURANCE

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Health Insurance provided to University Staff

According to the laws and regulations of Sohar University, an employee must have health

insurance. There are two types of insurance - life and health insurance. Life insurance is

based on the basic salary of the employee during the year.

Only a University employee’s wife or husband and two of their children under the age of 18

are eligible for health insurance coverage. Sohar University does not always renew a

contract with an insurance company, and employees are informed, in good time, when a

change of insurer is to be made.

Procedures to Follow for Health Insurance for Employees and their Families

Employees of the University must bring a photograph and photographs of each member of

their families when insurance coverage or insurance renewal is sought for family members.

These photographs will be used to make valid, up-to-date health insurance cards. They

shall also need to bring passports copies and copies of their visas, to prove that their family

members should come under the umbrella of insurance coverage offered by the University

and so that the correct details about the family members can be entered on the insurance

cards. It usually takes no more than a week for new health insurance cards to be issued.

The Basics of Emergency Treatment Abroad while on Vacation or while Employed

The maximum period of time allowed for submitting medical bills is 45 days for each

vacation or period of employment carried out on behalf of the University while abroad.

Compensation is limited only to the time spent on each period abroad.

Treatment costs are fixed to the actual, reasonable and acceptable treatment fees in

Oman, even if the treatment fees in Oman are lower.

32

Procedures for Treatment in Network Hospitals/Medical Centres/Clinics

This is a very simple process. When attending a medical centre for treatment, card holders

present the health insurance card to the receptionist and he or she will enter the information on

the medical centre’s computer records. This information will include the card holders’ names,

places of employment and so forth, and their phone numbers. This latter is useful as, on

subsequent visits, the card holders’ information is accessed quickly via their telephone

numbers.Bills for treatment are sent by the medical centre to the insurance company; card

holders need to do nothing. Quite often, the medical centre will phone the insurance company to

get approval for certain categories of treatment. Sometimes, this will take a few minutes but it

might take days. If card holders cannot or choose not to wait, they can pay for their medical

treatment and, if the insurance company later approves and will cover the costs, the card

holders will be reimbursed. Medical centres usually contact the card holders to let them know

that a refund is waiting for them. They tend to do this unfailingly.

Procedures to Follow to Claim Compensation in the Instance of Treatment Given Outside

Network Hospitals

In the case that employees go for treatment outside the hospitals which are not covered by their

insurance policy, they will have to pay for their treatment and reclaim the cost by submitting,

within a period of 45 days from the date of treatment, the following documents to HR. It is worth

mentioning that submission of complete and properly documented paperwork, as required,

facilitates the refund process.

1. The claim form, completed by the treating physician and signed and approved by the hospital or medical service provider.

2. Prescription for medication 3. The original payment receipt, showing the date and all other necessary details. 4. Authorization form for treatment, if any. 5. The original and detailed treatment reports and lab test reports 6. A copy of the employee’s health insurance card 7. A detailed summary of the patient’s health condition

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Hospitals in Sohar coverd by your card: It should be noted that many of the medical service providers have branches throughout

Oman and your insurance card will be accepted at these. Every medical centre has its own

pharmacy where your medical card is accepted. Choosing which centre to visit for treatment

might simply be a matter of following a colleague’s recommendation. It should be stressed to

the newcomer who is unfamiliar with life in Oman or in the Middle East, that the clinics in

Oman prove world-class medical treatment.

There are many pharmacies in Sohar and too many to list here. Some are branches of the

Muscat Pharmacy group while others are independent. Pharmacies are also located in the

Safeer mall and in the Lulu hypermarket. There is a pharmacy one kilometer from the

University. It is simple to find one without any help but, to make things a bit quicker, just ask

a colleague. This list, which names only the largest medical centres, is current at the time of

writing (summer, 2016).

TYPE Name Address Phone

Hosp/clinic Al Raffa Centre Main centre: Sohar souq flyover, between Lulu and Modern Home

26841200

Hosp/clinic Lifeline Hospital By the flyover, industrial area

Clinic Al Hayat Centre Close to Suq Al Juma 26845104

Clinic Al Hikma Clinic Close to the old hospital, in the souq

99410923

Hosp/clinic Badr al Samaa Hospital Main centre: Sohar souq flyover 2684660

Hosp/clinic Muscat Private Hospital Muscat. No branch in Sohar

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The HR Department at Sohar University is responsible for, but not limited to the following:

Implementing Omani Labor Law and University procedures and regulations.

Finalizing recruitment procedures for new academic and administrative staff, in

coordination with the respective authorities.

Preparation of the annual budget for the department.

Calculating salaries and financial benefits for University staff

Completing travel procedures for expatriates and their families and issuing them with

tickets, in coordination with the Procurement Service.

Preparing and approving air ticket encashment forms according to University rules and

regulations.

Preparing health and life insurance cards to those who are eligible, according to

University regulations.

Monitoring employees’ daily attendance

Implementation of the provisions and procedures set forth in Oman Labor Law and the

regulations of the University, with respect to appointments, promotions and bonuses,

vacations, end of service procedures and visas.

Following up the implementation of decisions taken by the University administration.

Maintaining records of University staff.

Providing services to staff in terms of work permits, visas and resident cards, according

to the laws and regulations in force in Oman.

Welcoming newly-arrived staff at the airport and cancelling the visas of those who

conclude their period of service at the University.

Granting recognized certificates, as per University rules and regulations.

Taking legal action against those who break the law.

DUTIES OF THE HUMAN RESOURCES DePARTMENT

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Services provided by the Human Resources Department to new, overseas staff members

upon their arrival in Oman:

Welcoming employees at the airport and providing free transportation, in Sohar, to and

from the University, for a period of seven days.

Providing a cash advance of 1000 RO for new, overseas staff, to be deducted from the

monthly salary at a rate of 250 RO per month, in coordination with the Department of

Finance.

New Staff Members

New staff members, whom we shall call ‘employees’, for the purposes of this section, should

present themselves to the Human Resources Department within two days of their date of

arrival in Oman and, in order to complete the procedures related to their employment

contract, medical examination and resident card, in addition to issuing health and life

insurance coverage, they should submit their passport and 6 passport sized photographs.

Other Services Offered On Request:

Family Visa

A family visa is granted to expatriate employees and their children under the age of 21. It will

be validity for two years from the day the visa is stamped on the passport and should be

used within three months of issue date. The family visa is the multiple entry/re-entry type,

which means that the visa holder can travel outside Oman and return. The fee for a family

visa is 30 RO and is paid by the employee.

The fine for not renewing or registering residence in Oman within thirty days from the day of

entry is 20 RO for each month.

Conditions

Children covered by the family visa must be under the age of 21. It should be noted that

residence is cancelled when the child reaches 21. A family visa is issued to brothers and

sisters of the University employee only if they are under 18 years old. Brothers and sisters

SERVICES PROVIDING BY HR DEPARTMENT

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of the University employee will need to submit documents to prove that they have no one to

support them outside Oman. Persons granted family visas are not entitled to work in Oman,

even if the work is unpaid. Moreover, their resident cards become invalid when the

university employee’s residence visa expires. However, they can apply to the appropriate

authorities for permission to remain in Oman.

Required documents

1. A copy of the visa applicant’s passport, which should be valid for no less than six

months, in addition to a copy of the resident card.

2. Two 4x6 cm photographs.

3. A passport copy and proof of kinship, unless names and data recorded in the

passports prove kinship.

4. The wife of the University employee should attach an original copy of the marriage

contract, certified by her country’s embassy and the Omani Ministry of Foreign

Affairs.

5. A medical examination certificate, for those who are 15 years old and above and

coming from, in the first instance, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia,

Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Syria or Sudan. For other countries, please

check with the Human Resources Department. The examination must be certified

and approved by the Ministry of Health in Oman.

Visitor’s Visa for Relatives

A visitor’s visa is granted to the University employees’ relatives and is done so at their

request and on their responsibility. Visitor’s visas are not issued to friends of the employee.

The visa must be used within six months of the issue date and is valid for three months

from the date of entry.

The visitor’s visa is not a multiple entry/re-entry visa and allows visitors to make only one

exit from the country. However, the visa can be extended by one month, at a cost of 20 RO.

Delays in departure which cause visa holders to extend their stay in the country are met

with a fine of 10 RO per day.

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Documents required for a Visitor’s Visa

1. One copy of a passport that is valid for no less than 6 months

2. Two 4x6 cm photographs

3. A copy of the employee’s passport (to verify kinship)

4. A letter of undertaking from the employee’s sponsor, assuming responsibility for the

family visitors during their stay in Oman. The letter should also detail the nature of the

kinship

Study Visa

A study visa is granted to a non-Omani, coming to study in Oman, upon request and is the

responsibility of the local sponsor, provided that the sponsor has a license, issued by the

proper authority, to operate a training or educational institute.

A study visa must be used within three months of the date of issue and is valid for up to 2

years from the date of entry. It can be renewed for the same period of validity if the holders

are still studying and provided that they submit a letter, issued by their educational or

training institute and which proves that they are still studying.

The study visa is the multiple entry/re-entry type, so, holders can make any number of

flights out of the country. A study visa costs 30 RO

Documents required for a Study Visa

1. A downloaded, electronic application form, certified and stamped by the sponsor. It

should be typed in Arabic for Arab nationals and in English for non-Arab nationals

2. Two 4x6 cm photographs

3. A passport which is valid for no less than 6 months

4. For private sector institutes, a copy of the signature of the authorized personnel

issued by the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

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When applying through a representative other than the sponsor, the representative must be

Omani and have a written authorization from the sponsor, certified by the directorate.

Passports and Residency Permits for Studying

A medical examination card must be approved by the Ministry of Health for those coming

from, in the first instance, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, the

Philippines, Sri Lanka, Syria or Sudan. For other countries, please check with the Human

Resources Department.

Study visa applicants must present an official document of approval of the sponsor to allow

overseas students to study in Oman, in addition to a cover letter from the sponsor in which

details about the type and duration of study period are given.

Resident Card Renewal

Resident cards expire on the date specified in the passport. To begin the process of

renewing a resident card, the University employees, their accompanying persons (family

members) or study visa holders students must deliver the following documents to the

Human Resources Department one week before the visa expiry date:

1. Passport

2. A copy of the original resident card

3. Four 4 x 6 cm photographs

If continued residency is for the purpose of study, the visa applicant will need to produce a

letter of admission for the current academic year.

Notes

The charge for the renewal of a family visa is 30 RO. There is no charge for the renewal of

other visas. The fee for issuing a resident card is 10 RO. A resident card is obligatory for

those aged fifteen and above.

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The fine for not obtaining or renewing a resident card is 20 RO for each month, to be paid

by the University employee.

The final notice period for residency renewal is one month from the date of visa expiry. If

the visa expires while the visa holders are outside Oman, the visa becomes invalid and the

holders can only enter Oman if they are issued with a new visa.

Holders of the following visas are allowed to stay outside Oman (for example - and only for

example - while on holiday, while studying or training or on employment attachment):

Work visa holders must not stay outside Oman for more than 6 months, otherwise the visa

will be automatically canceled and the holders will not be able to re-enter Oman until their

sponsors issue them with a new visa.

Accompanying person visa holders can stay outside Oman no later than one week prior to

the expiry date of the visa. It is also necessary to notify the sponsor to take the necessary

sponsorship renewal and/or visa renewal procedures immediately upon their arrival in

Oman.

A visit visa expires when the visa holder leaves Oman if it is not a multiple entry/re-entry

type. If the visa expires while the person is still in Oman, a fine of 10 RO is payable for each

day that the holder remains in the country.

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Alcoholic Beverages Permit

The Directorate General of Inquiries and Criminal Investigation is the only authority to which

to apply for an alcoholic beverages permit. The following documents must be submitted

with the application form to the ROP Offices located in Ruwi, Muscat:

1. Passport copy

2. ID card or resident card

3. Two 4 x 6 cm photographs

4. Certificate of no criminal record (this will be issued by the DGICI or by the relevant

authority in the applicant’s home country. Check with the Department of Human

Resources or colleagues who have already obtained a permit)

5. Letter of approval from the sponsor - if the applicant is an employee from overseas

The permit application fees are set, currently, at 3 RO and there will be a further

subscription fee of 30 RO.

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Contact Details of our Human Resources Department Staff Members

SL Name Post Ext Mobile

1 Abdullah bin Ali Al Hinai Director of Human Resources

423 99329292

2 Ahmed bin Juma Al Husni Head of Personnel Services

205

99166620

3 Zahir bin Hamad bin Al Husni Personnel Services Officer in Charge

204

99225565

4 Salim bin Abdullah Al Balushi Public Relations Officer 203

96161333

5 Khalfan bin Rashid AL Briki Administrative Clerk 268 98036004

6 Muhammed bin Ahmed Al Balushi Records Employee 5019

7 Mariam bint Abdullah Al Qutaibi Administrative Officer 320

8 Sheikha bint Muhammad Al Baloch Employee of Salaries and Vacations

217

9 Shamsa bint Salim Al Briki Employee of Health insurance and Tickets

365

10 Iman bint Misbah Al Marzouqi Recruitment 253

CNTACT OF HR DERARTMENT STAFF

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