British Omani Society

Mohab Ali Al Hinai is a technology enthusiast with over 17 years of experience in the fields of R&D and technology assessment. He co-founded Sustainable Investments LLC, an Omani firm that focuses on introducing cutting-edge technological innovations in the MENA region with a special focus on food security, energy and health. Mohab started his career by earning a bachelor's degree in Biotechnology from Sultan Qaboos University (SQU). After joining on as a faculty member at SQU, he went on to earn a master's degree in the same field from Northwestern University followed by a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from the University of Delaware.

After spending 10+ years in academia, Mohab made the transition to industry where he is leading multiple initiatives to help Oman transition into a more sustainable and circular economy. In addition to his academic credentials, Mohab earned a professional certificate in Financial Planning and Analysis from the University of California at Berkeley followed by a certificate in Leading and Building a Culture of Innovation from Harvard University.
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In this podcast, AOS speaks with Daniel Newman Professor and Chair of Arabic Studies at the University of Durham (UK). His research and publications have centred on Arabic geographical and travel literature (with a special focus on Arab travellers to Europe in the 19th century) as well as the 19th-century Arab reform movements in Tunisia and Egypt. 

In 2009, he was the co-recipient of the World Award of the President of the Republic of Tunisia for Islamic Studies for the book entitled Muslim Women in Law and Society (Routledge, 2007). His research interests also include translation studies, medieval Islamic medicine and Arab food history. His latest book is entitled The Sultan’s Feast. A Fifteenth-century Cookbook, which has been longlisted for the Peter Mackenzie Smith Book Prize 2021. He is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and Vice-President of the British Association of Teachers of Arabic (BATA).
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Anglo Omani Society accounts:
Instagram: angloomanisociety
Linkedin: The Anglo-Omani Society
Twitter: @AngloOmaniSOC
Facebook: The Anglo-Omani Society

In this podcast we speak with Richard Muir,  a former British Ambassador to Oman (1994-99), about his career and diplomatic experience in Oman. In his career as a diplomat he served in Washington DC and in a number of other Middle East posts including as Ambassador to Kuwait. In London before taking up his post in Oman he was a member of the Foreign Office Board of Management and Chief Inspector of the Diplomatic Service.

Richard was Chairman of the Society from 2004 to 2012 since when he has been a Vice President. He is currently Director of the Altajir Trust in London, offering grants and scholarships and producing among other publications a history of the Gulf States: ‘The Emergence of the Gulf States’. He is also Chairman of the Sir William Luce Memorial Fund based at Durham University which focuses on issues of governance in the Gulf States and Sudan.
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Anglo Omani Society accounts:
Instagram: angloomanisociety
Linkedin: The Anglo-Omani Society
Twitter: @AngloOmaniSOC
Facebook: The Anglo-Omani Society

In this podcast, we speak with Sulaiman Ruqaishi, Head of In-Country Value Business Development at Petroleum Development Oman. We talk about in-country value in Oman, PDO’s in-country value projects, and the future prospects and challenges the Sultanate and the wider region face.  

Sulaiman Ruqaishi graduated from Sultan Qaboos University in 2005 with a bachelor's in Science and completed a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Strathclyde. With ten years working at Royal Dutch Shell, and now seven years at PDO, Sulaiman Ruqaishi is an experienced voice within the petroleum development sector.  

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Anglo Omani Society accounts:
Instagram: angloomanisociety
Linkedin: The Anglo-Omani Society
Twitter: @AngloOmaniSOC
Facebook: The Anglo-Omani Society

In this podcast, we speak with Janet M. Purdy, the Daniel F. & Ada L. Rice Postdoctoral Curatorial Fellow in Arts of Africa at the Art Institute of Chicago. She received her PhD in Art History in August 2020 from the Pennsylvania State University, with a focus on traditional art and architecture of Africa. 

Her research examines regional vocabularies and visual exchange systems of social and cultural trade networks throughout Eastern and Northern Africa, the Gulf Region, and the Indian Ocean World with a particular interest in the transmission of talismanic patterns and designs and their diverse protective functions across different mediums including textiles, metalwork, jewellery, wood carving, and architectural adornment. 

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Anglo Omani Society accounts:
Instagram: angloomanisociety
Linkedin: The Anglo-Omani Society
Twitter: @AngloOmaniSOC
Facebook: The Anglo-Omani Society

In this podcast, we speak with Mays Al Moosawi, a 26-year old visual artist from Muscat. Mays completed her BA in Illustration at Coventry University which kickstarted her career in becoming a full-time artist.  She focuses on representing the female figure in her artwork, as well as the challenges women from her community experience. 

In this podcast, we discuss Mays's journey in becoming an artist, the obstacles women face in her society and how she challenges them in her artwork, and some exciting new projects she is currently working on. You can find her latest work on her Instagram profile @maysalmoosawi.
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Anglo Omani Society accounts:
Instagram: angloomanisociety
Linkedin: The Anglo-Omani Society
Twitter: @AngloOmaniSOC
Facebook: The Anglo-Omani Society

In this podcast, we speak with Dr Harriet Nash, a consultant at the Aflaj Research Unit at Nizwa University and a consultant hydrogeologist. Her work within the field of hydrogeology has seen her work across the Middle East and Northern Africa for many years including Oman. Her recent research has focused on the falaj system of irrigation and specifically how stars were used for timing the systems across Oman.

In this podcast we explore her career and research in Oman, focusing on the fascinating history and heritage found in Oman’s falaj system and the variety of timing methods employed alongside it. 
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Anglo Omani Society accounts:
Instagram: angloomanisociety
Linkedin: The Anglo-Omani Society
Twitter: @AngloOmaniSOC
Facebook: The Anglo-Omani Society

In this podcast, Ollie Blake interviews HE Salim al Aufi,  Undersecretary at the Ministry of Energy and Minerals.   This episode explores Oman’s hydrocarbon use in a low oil price world, the creation of Energy Development Oman, the country’s alternative energy vision and the Sultanate’s significant hydrogen ambitions.  We also touch on regulation around energy privatisation, including overseas ownership of assets, and potential energy support to Yemen in anticipation of peace. 
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Anglo Omani Society accounts:
Instagram: angloomanisociety
Linkedin: The Anglo-Omani Society
Twitter: @AngloOmaniSOC
Facebook: The Anglo-Omani Society

Marwa Al Wadhahi is an all-around athlete and the first female weightlifter in the Omani National Weightlifting Team. In 2016 she joined Crossfit, a sport that kick-started her weightlifting career. Marwa is passionate about sport and an adventure enthusiast: the harder the challenge the better. 

In this episode we talk about Marwa's main achievements in the sporting industry, and what it is like being a young Omani female athlete, her opinions on the national PE curriculum and her future aspirations.
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Anglo Omani Society accounts:
Instagram: angloomanisociety
Linkedin: The Anglo-Omani Society
Twitter: @AngloOmaniSOC
Facebook: The Anglo-Omani Society

This podcast explores Oman’s transformational journey into the alternative energy sector.  Dr Salim takes us through some of the challenges and opportunities behind Oman's renewables sector and the country's development of wind, solar and hydrogen capacity.  Financing, technological partnership, national strategy, off-take agreements and market creation are all topics touched on in this hugely informative interview. 
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Anglo Omani Society accounts:
Instagram: angloomanisociety
Linkedin: The Anglo-Omani Society
Twitter: @AngloOmaniSOC
Facebook: The Anglo-Omani Society