12.11.2025 Report on the Oman Workshop by the Economics of the Middle East Research Group

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Oman Workshop 2025

From 12 to 17 October 2025, the Economics of the Middle East Research Group, represented by Prof. Dr. Farzanegan and Dr. Fischer, visited Oman for a workshop at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) together with nine students from Philipps-Universität Marburg (PUM). The visit was funded by QSL funds of PUM (for students’ attendance) and Economics of the Middle East Research Group. The logistics and local funding were organized by Dr. Behnaz Saboori and her colleagues from the Department of Natural Resource Economics, College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences, SQU. The program included a two-day workshop of presentations and discussions at SQU, as well as a one-day visit to Oman LNG. During the workshops, researchers and students from PUM and SQU presented their works and were engaged in lively discussions. The remaining days were spent exploring Oman's rich culture and visiting important monuments, including the Sultan Qaboos Mosque and the Royal Opera House Muscat. It was a great experience for all participants, which was also greatly appreciated by the students. Below are reflections by students on their experience: 

Jingyi Tie, M.Sc. Economics and Institutions:

“I was very pleased to participate in the academic workshop jointly organized by the Department of Natural Resource Economics at Sultan Qaboos University and the University of Marburg. The workshop featured a wide range of discussions, including both theoretical issues in resource economics and empirical studies based on the Omani context. Professors and students from Sultan Qaboos University shared research on Oman’s economic transition and resource governance, providing valuable insights into how global theories apply in national settings. As students from Marburg, we were grateful for the opportunity to present our research on the political economy of oil rents. The feedback we received helped us refine our focus and deepen our understanding. These exchanges made the workshop an engaging and rewarding academic experience. Beyond the academic sessions, the Department also arranged several extracurricular activities. We visited the College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences and learned about their laboratories and ongoing research, which allowed us to engage with new topics and reflect on their practical relevance. A visit to the Oman LNG plant offered a clearer view of how the energy sector operates in practice. The visit included informative discussions with company representatives, and the plant’s efficiency and strict safety measures left a strong impression on us. Exploring Muscat gave me a glimpse of a city where tradition and modern life come together in a unique way. From the coastline to the markets and architecture, every detail reflected the charm of Oman. My conversations with local faculty and students made me feel warmly welcomed and inspired. I truly appreciate the warm welcome and thoughtful organization provided by the hosts. I sincerely hope this workshop marks the beginning of continued dialogue and future collaboration.”

Zeynep Doğa Şahin, M.Sc. Economics of the Middle East (EMEA):

“We had chance to meet with students and researchers in Oman through the Sultan Qaboos University and Philipps-Marburg University workshop collaboration, which took place in October 2025. Through this visit to Sultan Qaboos University in Muscat, we had a workshop related to natural resource economics that has broadened our minds. Together with the researchers and the students from Sultan Qaboos University, we had a chance to discuss and explore diverse topics in this workshop. We had distinct topics to discuss that are related to the environment and economics. Yet our most important theme of this workshop was exploring the effects of oil rents on the economy. This collaboration offered us the chance to see Muscat, the capital city of Oman and the historic city of Sur that is near the LNG production facility, more closely. Through these two cities we have seen two different faces of Oman that one is the oil rich economy and other one is the historical and cultural beauty of this country. Moreover, through this exchange, we had a chance to observe this beautiful country that has been enriched through its resourcefulness. We have not only discussed through the workshop in this visit to Muscat, but also we had a chance to see the daily life in Oman and Muscat that made this collaboration not only about discussing the economics but also observing the daily life effects of the resource richness and the unique culture of Sur that have been developed through the maritime heritage. Furthermore, as part of the workshop, we had the chance to visit the Oman LNG company. From my perspective, this was my first and probably the only time I was this close to an active LNG production line and facility. In the Oman LNG company visit we discuss with them about many different topics after they have introduced us into the LNG and its production in this facility. We had chance to ask questions and visit certain safe parts of the facility to observe and learn about the control and production in the facility by seeing it by ourselves. We had chance to ask questions about the sustainability and environmental friendliness of this production line and even about artificial intelligence use in production that we learned about new topics and issues about LNG production that is based on natural gas. If I have to conclude all, I think this workshop and visit in Oman have broadened my perspective about the effects of oil rents on a country through the discussions. After returning from the trip, I can say that visiting this country that I did not know much about beforehand gives me a chance to understand the effects of oil rents from a unique perspective. Even I can say, this perspective is not only about the resource rents but also about other topics that have been discussed through the workshop that have given me a lot. Thus, I can now evaluate the situation better, and I have a better perception of effects on life and economy, thanks to this wonderful experience that we had.”

Matthias Reutler, M.A. Middle Eastern Politics and Economics:

“In October 2025, nine selected students from various disciplines and two staff members from the Center for Near and Middle Eastern Studies (CNMS) at the University of Marburg undertook a seven-day excursion to Oman as part of a seminar. A central element of the trip was a three-day workshop in cooperation with Sultan Qaboos University in Muscat, Oman. The excursion offered participants the opportunity to get to know Oman from both an academic and cultural perspective and to gain valuable insights into the country’s political, economic, and social development. Accompanying the trip, the seminar “Political Economy of Oil Rents” was offered by Prof. Dr. Mohammad Reza Farzanegan during the summer semester of 2025. The topics covered in the seminar also formed the basis of the interdisciplinary workshop in Muscat, which focused on the political economy of national resources. During the workshop, lecturers and students from both universities presented their research and discussed it in stimulating discussion rounds. A particular highlight of the workshop was the visit to the Oman LNG production facility, where we were warmly welcomed. During an exciting Q&A session, we had the opportunity to gain detailed insights into LNG production in Oman and to ask numerous questions about energy policy and economic aspects. After the tour of the plant’s control room, our journey continued to Sur, a historic port city considered a traditional center of Omani shipbuilding. In addition to the academic program, the stay in Muscat offered a variety of opportunities to experience Oman’s cultural and scenic diversity. A special highlight was the visit to the Sultan Qaboos Mosque, which, with a capacity of around 20,000 worshippers and its impressive architecture, is one of the country’s most significant landmarks. There was also time to explore Muscat’s city life, its markets, and coastal landscapes. Many participants were so impressed by the hospitality and beauty of the country that they are already planning a private trip to Oman in the future. The harmonious group dynamics, inspiring discussions, and the open and warm encounters with our Omani hosts made this excursion an unforgettable experience. It also laid the foundation for a long-term academic cooperation between Philipps University Marburg and Sultan Qaboos University. Our thanks go to the University of Marburg and the CNMS for financially supporting the participating students, without which this excursion would not have been possible. A heartfelt thank you also goes to all colleagues and students involved in Oman, as well as to the members of our travel group, whose commitment and enthusiasm contributed significantly to the success of the excursion.”

Pedram Sharafi, M.Sc. Economics of the Middle East (EMEA):

“As a master’s student from Marburg University, I was lucky to join the Oman–Germany Collaboration workshop at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) in October 2025. The first two days were full of great talks by experts like Prof. Slim Zekri and Prof. Mohammad Reza Farzanegan. The best part, though, was the full-day trip to Oman LNG on 15 October. We left SQU early, toured the modern plant, saw the liquefaction trains up close, and asked technical questions during the company’s keynote. Walking through the facilities and talking with engineers made classroom ideas real and helped me understand Oman’s energy sector better. The day ended with a cultural visit to the beautiful city of Sur, mixing learning with warm Omani hospitality—a perfect end to a week of strong academics and real-world experience.”

Pauline Frühling, B.A. Near and Middle Eastern Studies & B.Sc. Business Administration:

“The Oman excursion with the theme “Political Economy of Oil Rents” was a fantastic experience. During the trip, I had the opportunity to meet many dedicated and interesting people and to establish valuable new contacts. The excursion provided diverse insights into the academic, economic, and cultural aspects of the Sultanate of Oman. As part of the university program, we attended several inspiring presentations by members of the Sultan Qaboos University and Philipps University of Marburg and gained an insight into the research work conducted at Sultan Qaboos University. A particular highlight of this part of the trip was the visit to the university’s dairy laboratory, where we were treated to freshly made ice cream from the milk of the university’s own cows. Another key part of the excursion was the visit to Oman LNG, where we gained a comprehensive understanding of the company’s operations and economic importance. The direct exchange with the employees was especially enriching, as they provided insights into the company’s structure, the challenges of the energy sector, and current transformation processes. The collegial and cordial interaction between members of Sultan Qaboos University and Philipps University of Marburg was particularly noteworthy. We were warmly welcomed and, as everywhere in Oman, experienced exceptional hospitality. The traditional Omani cuisine was also impressive and offered a truly unique taste experience. On our free day, we took the opportunity to explore the capital city, Muscat, through sightseeing and to spend time at the beach. This brought the excursion to a pleasant and memorable close.”

Jan Sollwedel, M.A. Middle Eastern Politics and Economics:

“At the initiative of the Middle East Research Group of Marburg University's Center for Near and Middle Eastern Studies (CNMS), enabled by the generous funding of Marburg University through means of QSL, nine students and two researchers from the field of Economics of the Middle East visited Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) in Muscat, Oman, in October 2025. The group took part, together with students and academic staff of SQU, in an intense academic and cultural workshop on the economics of oil rents, natural resources and sustainability at the College for Agriculture and Marine Studies of SQU. The intense core of the academic side of the workshop, which was scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, contained no less than 17 presentations about a variety of topics on Economics of the Middle East, delivered by students and staff members. On Wednesday, a delegation of both Marburg University's Center for Middle Eastern Studies and the College for Agriculture and Marine Studies of Sultan Qaboos University visited the headquarter and main conversion site of Oman LNG, the country's main provider of liquid natural gas. The academic delegation was given a presentation on technical and economic facts of the work of the conversion site, which is situated next to the town of Sur. It was explained that the site's main purpose is to convert gas from its gaseous aggregate state into a liquid aggregate state. The conversion from Oman's natural gas resource from gaseous to liquid aggregate state is processed for reasons of transportation. That is why the site is also directly located at the Ocean and is therefore home also to (one of) the central LNG terminals of Oman. The site therefore also functions a main port from which Oman ships gas in its liquid aggregate to customers in Asia. Oman has a share of 3 % in the world liquid natural gas market. On Thursday morning, the contributors to the workshop were handed over their certificates and closing statements were delivered. It was stated that the visit of the delegation of Marburg University should be only a starting point of further exchanges to come, including a possible establishment of a regular exchange program for both, students and academic staff members of Sultan Qabus university and Marburg university. In this regard, the workshop did not only aim at providing the possibility for an intensive academic exchange but also to deepen and wide ties between both universities.”