On February 22, 2024, Mr. Juma Al Ghafri, the Head of the Preparatory Studies Centre (PSC) at UTAS-A, convened a meeting with the organizers of the three-day Research Engagement Forum on Conducting and Publishing Action Research that took place from January 16 to January 18, 2024, to express his appreciation for their contributions to the success of the event. He specifically thanked the speakers, hosts, and organizers for their efforts. In addition, Mr. Al Ghafri recognized and commended the hard work of the technical support team and initiated a brief discussion of plans for the upcoming academic year.

The forum was held online and featured a lineup of esteemed national and international speakers who shared their expertise and insights on various aspects of action research. The forum kicked off with a captivating keynote speech that set the stage for the subsequent sessions. Over the course of the three days, participants had the opportunity to delve into a diverse range of topics through eight interactive sessions. These sessions covered the following crucial areas:

1. Action Research in Education
2. How to Choose a Topic and Write the Proposal
3. How to Write the Introduction
4. The What, Why, and How of the Literature Review

5. Data Collection and Analysis in Qualitative Research
6. Data Collection and Analysis in Quantitative Research
7. How to Write the Methods, Results and Discussion Sections
8. How to Write the Abstract and Publish your Research

The primary aim of the forum was to foster a deeper understanding of action research, generate interest, and empower lecturers across UTAS branches in Oman to engage actively in this impactful form of research. This initiative aligns with UTAS`s strategic mission of promoting research excellence and fostering a culture of scholarly inquiry and knowledge creation. By equipping lecturers with the necessary tools and knowledge, UTAS-A is taking proactive steps to cultivate a community of researchers who are committed to advancing the frontiers of knowledge in their respective fields.

The enriching experience of the Research Engagement Forum filled the participating educators and academics with optimism about its potential impact on research initiatives across UTAS branches in Oman. The knowledge and skills gained during these three days will undoubtedly contribute to the ongoing pursuit of research excellence within the university community.