University of Nizwa

University of Nizwa
Motto	A beacon (minaret) of knowledge and enlightenment
Type	Non-profit
Established	2004; 20 years ago
Chancellor	Prof. Ahmed al-Rawahi
Students	c.8,300
Location	Nizwa, Ad Dakhiliyah, Oman; 22°54′39″N 57°40′20″E / 22.91083°N 57.67222°E
Website	www.unizwa.edu.om

The University of Nizwa (UoN) was established in 2002 by the Decree of Sultan Qaboos as the first non-profit university in the Sultanate of Oman.^[1]^[2] It remains the only institution of its kind in Oman.^{[citation needed]}

Upon the satisfaction of all requirements set forth by the Oman Ministry of Higher Education and the Higher Education Council, the University of Nizwa was granted legal status by ministerial decision No. 1/2004 on January 3, 2004.^{[citation needed]} On October 16, 2004, the University of Nizwa opened the doors to its inaugural class of 1,200 students, 88% of whom were Omani women.^{[citation needed]} The existing campus is located near the base of the famous Jabal al-Akhdhar in Birkat al-Mouz, 20 km northwest of Nizwa. The construction of a new campus, located near the Farq-Hail highway, began in March 2010.^{[citation needed]}