DU Funded Research Grants

1. Title: Impact of Social Networking on Knowledge Transfer and Community Cohesiveness in Oman
   PI: Dr. Mirsobit Mirusmonov
   Department: Department of Management Information Systems
   College: College of Commerce & Business Administration
   Grant: 2400 R.O.
2. Title: Identifying Relation between Effects of Food Qualities on Nervous System and Diabetes Disease: A Novel Study and System Analysis
   PI: Dr. Ahmmed Ibrehem
   College: College of Engineering
   Grant: 1000 R.O.

1. Title: O-Torrent: A robust Content Distribution Protocol
   PI: Dr. Manaf Zghaibeh
   Department: Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering
   College: College of Engineering
   Email: mzghaibeh@du.edu.om   Tel: 23 23 7304
   Grant: 1000 R.O.
2. Title: Facile synthesis of high quality transition metal oxides by thermal decomposition method for sensors and bacteriocode.
   PI: Dr. Mazhar Ul Islam
   Department: Department of Chemical Engineering
   College: College of Engineering
   Email: mulislam@du.edu.om   Tel: 23 23 7348
   Grant: 1000 R.O.
3. Title: Unsupervised gene Selection Algorithm based on the nonnegative matrix factorization for improving cancers clustering in microarray gene expression datasets
   PI: Dr. Andri Mirzal
   Department: Department of Computer Science
   College: College of Arts & Applied Sciences
   Grant: 600 R.O.

1. Title: Software defined networking for 5G networks
   PI: Dr. Najm Ul hassan
   Department: Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering
   College: College of Engineering
   Email: nulhasan@du.edu.om   Tel: 23 23 7335
   Grant: 902 R.O.

1. Title: Photochemical Generation of Hydrogen Gas (H2) from Seawater Using MoS2 Decorated Nanocatalysts
   Dr. Gowhar Naikoo(PI), Dr. Musallam Tabook(Co-PI)
   Department: Department of Maths & Science
   College: College of Arts & Applied Sciences
   Email: gahmed@du.edu.om Tel: 23 23 7229
   Grant: 1500 R.O.
   Abstract: In this project, we are adopting a facial hydrothermal method for the synthesis of MoS2 based
   nanostructures for the photochemical generation of H2 gas by splitting seawater. The efficiency, selectivity and stability of MoS2 nanostructures for the photochemical generation of H2 gas will be enhanced by decoration of MoS2 by various metal nanoparticles such as Zn, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Co, Ag, and Ti. The synthesized catalysts will be characterized by various techniques such as P-XRD, FESEM, TEM, EDS. The generation of H2 gas will be carried out photochemically using solar energy/UV lamp sources. Gas Chromatography (GC) will be used for the assessment of degree of generation of H2 gas from seawater. We reckon that with the successful completion of this project, it may act as a game changer for clean energy production and will open a room for cooperation with Oman Hydrogen Centre (OHC).
2. Title: The Role of University Social Clubs in Academic Development in Higher Education: A case of Dhofar University
   Dr. Reem Abuiyada (PI), Dr. Zafar Mehdi (CO-PI)
   Department: Department of Social Science
   College: College of Arts & Applied Sciences
   Email: reem@du.edu.om Tel: 23 23 7253
   Grant: 800 R.O.
   Abstract: University Clubs and organizations are important part of university life and they are potentially help students develop their professional and social development. Students follow different paths of career after graduating from Higher Education and it is, therefore, necessary to guide them through their learning process towards their professional development. The researchers for this proposed study plan to explore learning strategies within four colleges of Dhofar University Clubs incorporating Communities of Practice with undergraduates of social work majors. study will assess the effectiveness of DU social clubs learning activities from the students’ perspective in Higher education. It also will explain what constitute the social ‘club’, examines the social learning theory of Communities of Practice (Wenger, 1998; Lave and Wenger, 1991) and its critique.
3. Title: IoT based Expert System for Diabetes Diagnosis and Insulin Dosage Calculation
   Dr. Prajoona Vasalan (PI), Dr. Najam Ul Hassan (Co-PI)
   Department: Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering
   College: College of Engineering
   Email: pvalsalan@du.edu.om  Tel: 23 23 7312
   Grant: 1500 R.O.
   Abstract: In this proposed system, an expert system is developed to enable RPM for patients with diabetes. The developed expert system can be subdivided into two subsystems: The first subsystem is meant for data acquisition purposes. The patient is equipped with wearable sensors for the acquisition of vitals. These sensors are connected to his Smartphone via Bluetooth. The Smartphone has an app that takes these readings from the sensors and patient data and sends them over the internet to the cloud. When the data is stored in the cloud, the second subsystem is used to diagnose and treat diabetes. This is a multi-stage system. In the first stage, a logic-based program classifies the patient as diabetic and non-diabetic. In the second stage, a logic-based program prescribes an insulin intake for the diabetic patient. The outcomes of the program will be apparent to the patient as well as the healthcare practitioner. And health care practitioners can also add their recommendations to the top prescription generated by the system. The major contribution of the work can be summarized as follows:
   • System architecture for RPM is designed and developed for regular monitoring of diabetic patients.
   • The proposed system outcome is accessible to physicians and patients anywhere, at any time.
   • The proposed system performs diabetic diagnostics as well as the prescribing insulin dosage intake for diabetics using a logic program.
4. Title: Establishment of a Case Study Unit in College of Commerce in Business Administration (CCBA)
   Dr. Rabia Imran(PI), Dr. Mawih Al Ani (Co-PI)
   Department: Department of Management
   College: College of Commerce & Business Administration
   Email: pvalsalan@du.edu.om  Tel: 23 23 7438
   Grant: 1200 R.O.
   Abstract: The aim of establishing a case study unit at college of commerce and business administration (CCBA) is to focus on the practical problems of the industry. It is expected to result in development of a designated case study unit equipped with basic facilities to develop case studies. Moreover, a linkage between industry and CCBA is expected to develop for collaborative research and problem solving.
5. Title: Investigating the application and achievement of critical thinking skills in the academic programs of study at DU
   Dr. Khalid Al Mashaikhi(PI), Dr. Vijay Thakur(Co-PI), Dr. Mansour AL Raja(Co-I), Dr. Syahro(Co-I)
   Dean, College of Arts & Applied Sciences
   College: College of Arts & Applied Sciences
   Email: khalid@du.edu.om  Tel: 23 23 7200
   Grant: 2200 R.O.

Abstract: Critical Thinking (CT) skills are seen to be important skills that are transferrable beyond the classrooms into various industries and vocations ranging from teaching, banking, hospitality, nursing, medicine, engineering, corporate sectors, etc. and also in mid-level to high level management in the public as well as private sector. Educationists consider CT Skills as the most essential skills in the classrooms across all levels. However, the extent to which it is actually being included, taught and evaluated in Omani schools as well as in Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) remains largely unexplored. This study, driven by its need and high importance, will note responses of all concerned stakeholders such as students, teachers, management personnel and examine their evaluation of CT skills component. The study will also investigate course syllabi, exam results, classroom observation results and evaluate the CT skills sections in them. It will also investigate whatever gaps there may exist between the professing of these declared aims and objectives and their implementation in the course syllabi, classrooms and assessments in order to be able to recommend further scope, strategies, plans, and effective instructional methods to better facilitate the inclusion and implementation of CT skills in DU classrooms.

1. Effect of low cost home-made electrolyzer in hydrogen production

Dr. Paul Okonkwo (PI), Dr. El Manaa Barhoumi (Co-PI), Dr. Manaf Zghaibeh (Co-I)
Department: Department of Mechanical Engineering
College: College of Engineering
Email: pokonkwo@du.edu.om Tel: 23 23 7323
Grant: 1360 R.O.

Abstract: Economically accessible regular electrolyzers for water electrolysis are very costly which affects the price of hydrogen production. Taking into account this aspect, a very simple and cheap electrolyzer has been designed and fabricated utilizing easily available cost-effective materials for small-scale production of hydrogen using renewable energy from the photovoltaic panel. The results showed that the homemade electrolyzer can produce a significant amount of hydrogen. The 98.22% pure hydrogen produce from the cheap homemade electrolyzer to power a vehicle demonstrated the importance of electrolyzer in reducing the cost of hydrogen. The result predicts that the reduced cost of the produced hydrogen can enhance more applications of the hydrogen in the automotive industry.

2. Students and Faculty Attitudes towards Disabled students in Higher Education: A Study at Dhofar University

Dr. Reem Abuiyada (PI), Dr. Sobhy Sulaiman (Co-PI)
Department: Department of Mechanical Engineering
College: College of Engineering
Email: pokonkwo@du.edu.om Tel: 23 23 7323
Grant: 600 R.O.
Abstract:

3. Identifying Statistics’ Threshold Concepts in Introductory Courses in Higher Education in Oman

Dr. Wesam beitelmal (PI), Dr. Paul Okonkwo (Co-PI)
Department: Department of Mechanical Engineering
College: College of Engineering
Email: pokonkwo@du.edu.om Tel: 23 23 7323
Grant: 750 R.O.

Abstract: The study targeted to identify the top threshold concepts in introductory statistics courses among engineering students at Dhofar University. Data was collected from undergraduate students in five engineering departments. The study found that the highest five threshold concepts in introductory statistics courses were distribution (shape/type) testing, hypothesis testing, probability distributions, population vs. sample, and confidence and power. The students also perceived the identification of threshold concepts as beneficial to their learning and the improvement of better learning techniques. The authors recommended that teachers focus on these five concepts in their course redesign and that further research be conducted on effective ways to use in the class content redesign. Additionally, the authors recommended efforts should be given to increase student participation in similar allowing incorporating students feedback in courses improvement.

4. Green entrepreneurial inclinations of youth and sustainable development; empirical evidence from Oman

Mohammed Ali Bait Ali Sulaiman (PI), Dr. Mohammed Yousoof Ismail (Co-PI), Dr. Muzaffar Shahid (Co-I)
Department: Department of Management
College: College of Commerce & Business Administration
Email: pokonkwo@du.edu.om Tel: 23 23 7460
Grant: 1000 R.O.

Abstract: This research project has been conducted while addressing the Vision 2040 of Sultanate of Oman. Thus, the outcome variable is taken as development of sustainable competence. The primary purpose of this research is to investigate the green entrepreneurial inclination of youth and sustainable development in Sultanate of Oman. It has a secondary objective of stimulating more research in areas identified as still being under‐explored. The research is discursive using quantitative research methodology, based on analysis and synthesis of green entrepreneurial literature the framework was developed. The data has been collected from 384 students studying in Dhofar University and University and Technology and Applied Sciences, Salalah. Structural Equation modelling has been conducted to test the model. Despite a broad spectrum of disciplines that investigate green entrepreneurial inclination and despite this special issue in the area of entrepreneurship, there are still areas open for research into green entrepreneurial intentions. The research develops a model to explain green entrepreneurial inclination. It offers the benefit of new research directions for researchers/ universities in understanding and promoting the culture of green entrepreneurship among university students. The research provides researchers with a tested and integrated model of green entrepreneurial inclination for reevaluation in the other countries and regions. The study links a significant body of literature within a unifying theoretical framework and identifies under‐researched areas of green entrepreneurial inclination of youth in an entrepreneurship context.

1. Green Hydrogen Production: Empowering Sustainable Energy Transformation in Oman

Dr. Gowhar Ahmed (PI), Dr. Israr Ul Hassan (Co-PI)
Department: Department of Mechanical Engineering
College: College of Arts & Applied Sciences
Email: gahmed@du.edu.om Tel: 23 23 7229
Grant: 1500 R.O.

Abstract: This project is focused on the synthesis of 2D materials by hydrothermal method for hydrogen evolution reaction. New 2D materials will be explored in this project for producing green hydrogen by splitting seawater. The drop casting technique will be employed to fabricate electrodes, and cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) will used to analyze the electrochemical behavior of the 2D materials. Through the hydrothermal method, 2D materials with desired structural characteristics will be explored. The CV and EIS studies provided valuable insights into the HER activity, kinetics, and charge transfer processes at the electrode-electrolyte interface. The results obtained from these experiments contribute to our understanding of the electrochemical behavior of the synthesized materials and their potential for HER production. This project highlights the importance of material synthesis techniques, electrode preparation methods, and electrochemical characterization tools in advancing research on HER production and sustainable energy technologies. The findings of this project can inform future studies aiming to optimize the synthesis processes, enhance the performance of HER materials, and design efficient electrochemical systems for green hydrogen production.

2. Protecting Workers’ Rights

Dr. Ahmed Elzien (PI), Dr. Abdulkarim Mohamed Zallam (Co-PI)
Department: Department of Public Law
College: Law
Email aelzein@du.edu.om Tel: 23 23 7170
Grant: 1000 R.O. Abstract:

يهدف هذا المشروع إلى دراسة تطبيق قانون العمل في سلطنة عمان وتحليل الفجوات والتحديات التي يطرحها إعمال قواعد قانون العمل على العمال سواء كانوا مواطنين عمانيين أو وافدين. إذ يركز البحث على تحسين ظروف العمل وحماية حقوق العمال من خلال تقديم توصيات مؤسسية وتشريعية خاصة وأن هذا الامر يؤثر من جهة بشكل مباشر على كفاءة وإنتاجية الشركات والمؤسسات، وبالتالي تسهم في تعزيز التنمية الاقتصادية والاجتماعية. ومن جهة أخرى، فإن الحفاظ على حقوق العمال وتحسين ظروف العمل يعد أحد الأهداف الرئيسية للعمل الدولي وأيضا يندرج في إطار رؤية عمان 2040 .والدراسة ستقوم على تحليل الوضع الحالي للعمال في القطاع الصناعي ثم تحديد المشاكل التي يواجهها العمال بهدف تقديم توصيات للحكومة والشركات الصناعية لتحسين وضع العمال.

3. IoT based RFID Smart attendance system for Dhofar University Student

Dr. Mohammed Maroof (PI), Dr. Prajoona Vasalan (Co-PI)
Department: Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering
College: College of Engineering
Email: msiddiqui@du.edu.om Tel: 23 23 7314
Grant: 1300 R.O.

Abstract: the IoT-based RFID Smart Attendance Management System project presents a comprehensive solution to streamline attendance management in educational institutions like Dhofar University. By leveraging IoT technologies, RFID technology, and a web-based interface, the project aims to automate the attendance tracking process, improve accuracy, and provide valuable insights for decision-making. The implementation of the system utilizing the ESP32 Wi-Fi Module and MF-RC522 RFID Module allows for seamless data collection and transmission of RFID CARD/keychain UID from multiple users. The webserver-based verification process ensures the authenticity of the card/keychain, leveraging the transmitted Card UID over the WiFi network. The user-friendly System, developed provides administrators with convenient access to attendance records and personal information of attendees. The comprehensive attendance tracking capabilities enable the recording of incoming and outgoing times, facilitating detailed analysis of attendance patterns and trends. By storing attendance data in a secure database, the system ensures data integrity, privacy, and compliance with regulations. Administrators can download and export attendance data to an Excel sheet, enabling further analysis and integration with other systems.

4. E-AFAR: A New-fangled Approach to Faculty Performance Evaluation at CCBA/DU

Dr. Samir Hammami (PI), Prof. Faris Al Shubairi (Co-PI), Mr. Nasir Tabook (Co-I), Dr. Tareq AlHousary (Co-I)
Department: Department of Management Information System
College: College of Commerce & Business Administration
Email: Samir@du.edu.om Tel: 23 23 7450
Grant: 1500 R.O.

Abstract: The authors propose creating an e-AFAR system with a database and web interface to assess faculty member performance annually using cloud services. This system will shorten the performance evaluation process by automating the task. The system benefits are numerous, including increased efficiency, accuracy, and transparency for faculty members and administrators. The system will be rolled out through Physical and Logical Design, development, Testing, Deployment, Feedback and Training phases. The database will store information on each faculty member, such as their name, department, role, and measures.

5. Youth Obesity Prevention Program from the perspective of social work: A Feasibility Study to reduce the level of Obesity in Oman

Dr. Mohamed Mohamed Foda (PI), Dr. Nasser Abdullah Mahroos Alsairai (Co-PI)
Department: Department of Social Science
College: College of Arts & Applied Sciences
Email: mfoda@du.edu.om Tel: 23 23 7250
Grant: 1400 R.O.

Abstract: Childhood obesity is one of the most serious public health challenges in the 21st century. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) the problem is global and is increasingly affecting many countries, including low and middle income countries. Studies done across the globe have consistently demonstrated that obesity is preventable. Many health professionals, practitioners and researchers have collaborated and successfully implemented obesity preventions programs and initiatives in schools that have effectively reduced obesity levels in schools. Drawing upon the research findings from several of these successful programs, in this research we will develop and design a comprehensive obesity prevention program from the perspective of social work. We propose to conduct a needs assessment to identify the barriers, obstacles and challenges in designing an Obesity prevention program in Oman. We will examine what are the opportunities and guidelines to design a program that would be effective, culturally appropriate and unique to the culture and peoples of Oman. We will adapt and adopt successful strategies, tools and techniques from social work perspective, incorporating feedback from all the stakeholders involved. Data will examine perceptions, acceptability, attitudes and appropriateness of such programs and most importantly the cost and budgeting challenges will also be examined. The research team would include academicians from Dhofar University and health professionals from the Ministry of Health in Oman. The final goal of this project is to set the framework so that this innovative, comprehensive, integrated, multi-level program can be implemented and a large scale studies could be done to assess the effectiveness of this program in reducing the level of Obesity.