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.