The Fourth DU Undergraduate
Student Research Competition (DUSRC)
The Fourth Dhofar University Undergraduate Student Research Competition (DUSRC) is an opportunity for undergraduate students to demonstrate their research, exchange ideas for future research and improve their presentation skills through a poster presentation.
1. GOALS OF THE COMPETITION
- To foster research among undergraduates in Oman's higher education institutions, aligning with the Oman Vision 2040 goals.
- To offer students a platform for showcasing their work, gaining visibility, and earning recognition.
- To enhance students' presentation and communication skills through constructive feedback from a panel of industry and academic experts.
- To acknowledge and reward exceptional research in five study fields of Engineering, Business administration, Arts and Social Sciences, Applied Sciences and Law.
- To encourage new insights and research directions, promote lifelong learning, and nurture skills for future career and innovation opportunities.
2. GENERAL RULES AND GUIDELINES FOR COMPETITION
- Team Composition: Each team is to consist of no more than five students and must include one supervising faculty member.
- Participant Eligibility: Participation is restricted to undergraduate students who possess a valid student identification card from their respective colleges or universities.
- Project Limitation: Each student may contribute to only one project presentation within the competition.
- Institutional Participation: There is no limit to the number of entries that an educational institution may submit.
- Project Format: Projects may be presented but not limited to working models, software applications, simulation-based studies, industry-sponsored experiments, business plans, or company-based projects.
- Judging Process: The judging process has two stages:
- Stage 1: In the first stage of judging, teams submit 3500-word research summaries. These summaries are assessed to identify the top projects which will move on to the next round. The evaluation criteria for this initial stage are novelty and innovation, overall quality of the work, and alignment with Oman's 2040 vision. Only the projects that meet high standards across these factors and are in line with Oman's future vision will be shortlisted and advance to the next judging stage
- Stage 2: In the second stage, the top teams will register and submit their posters to compete at the event for prizes.
- Submission: The research summary and posters must be prepared in accordance with the official guidelines and submitted through the designated online portal. Submissions through alternative channels will not be accepted.
- Registration: The acceptance notices are sent to corresponding authors via email within the specified timeframe. Following the acceptance of their research summary, the top teams are required to complete the competition registration process and submit their poster presentation.
- Recognition: All participants who participate and present their project during the competition will be awarded a certificate of participation.
- Judicial Authority: The decisions made by the panel of judges are conclusive and final.
- Fees: There are no fees required for competition entry or registration.
- Language: The official languages of the competition are English and Arabic.
- Awards: Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 projects in each of the five research fields of Engineering, Business administration, Arts and Social Sciences, Applied Sciences and Law.
a.Research Summary Submission
The research summary should not exceed 3500 words excluding the references. The authors are required to follow APA style. The participants are required to use the provided template. The research summary template includes:
Important Notice: Dhofar University will not provide accommodation and transportation for any participant.
b.Final Poster Submission
The selected participants will be required to use the provided template to design their posters. The poster template includes:
