Responses to COVID-19 Challenges in Higher Education in Oman

The outbreak of COVID-19 exposed higher education institutions (HEI s) to rapid and unexpected challenges and changes. However, HEI s demonstrated various levels of resilience by quickly resuming operations and ensuring the continuity of teaching and learning. This chapter gives the reader a cursory view of how HEI s in Oman responded to challenges posed by COVID-19, and how stability and continuity were achieved in HEI s during that time. The chapter also explores the challenges faced by HEI s and analyses their various responses to ensure the continuity of quality higher education. Data were collected, using semi-structured telephone interviews from a convenient sample of seven college deans and one head of department. Interview data were corroborated with evidence from 65 official documents from the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation (MOHERI). Using thematic analysis and critical reflection, we found three initial responses to the pandemic and four main challenges to adopting online teaching and learning. The findings of our research informed our understanding of how HEI s in Oman adapted to rapid disruptive changes in teaching and learning. This knowledge can assist policymakers and HE leaders to anticipate similar challenges in future crises to ensure the continuity of teaching and learning.