Tuesday 10 / November / 2026
It takes a skilled speaker to captivate an audience, someone who knows their listeners and aligns the message to suit their needs. It takes a speaker who can select the right tools to delve into their hearts and minds, creating an emotional experience that remains in their memories.
While browsing through media posts on Instagram, an interview featuring Dr. Muna Hussein Muqaibal, Head of the Preparatory Studies Centre at the University of Technology and Applied Sciences in Salalah, caught my attention. The interview was conducted by the Ithraa Cultural Initiative in Dhofar Governorate and broadcast on Mazoon Channel to celebrate Omani Women’s Day, a day that honours women as key partners in national development.
The occasion serves as an annual pause to evaluate progress, renew energy, and keep giving back. Omani women continue to offer the nation young leaders who believe in the beauty of their dreams, celebrating a generation that has paved the way to greatness. Women remain a vital foundation of our national growth as Oman renews its renaissance, pushing forward toward achieving Oman Vision 2040.
Dr. Muna communicated with ease, and her conversational style allowed her to captivate her audience and connect with them brilliantly. She introduced herself with deep humility as a mother of four children—Fatima, Abdullah, Tamim, and Sarah—illustrating that motherhood is a pivotal role that should never be diluted amid the prevailing hustle and distractions of modern life. Throughout the interview, she wove a beautiful mosaic of her life story, giving her success a special grace. Her journey resembled autumn clouds bringing rain, scattering valuable lessons for everyone, especially young adults soaring high in pursuit of their big ambitions.
Dr. Muna took a walk down memory lane, recalling how as a child she dreamed of becoming a math teacher because the subject held a special place in her heart. However, her true turning point came during middle school, when her mother shared the inspiring story of Professor Salem Tabook. Defying his disability, he refused to let physical limitations halt his education, ultimately pursuing higher studies in the UK and lecturing at British universities. Dr. Tabook, who later became a renowned scholar and professor of anthropology at Sultan Qaboos University, passed away in 2019, leaving behind an enduring legacy of dedication and resilience that continues to inspire generations.
That story left a deep impression on her young mind. From that moment on, her ambition grew, and she set her sights on earning a PhD. The roadmap was not entirely clear back then, but she let her passion carry her forward on fiery wings toward the destination she had envisioned, stepping closer to it day by day.
Time passed, and Dr. Muna graduated after overcoming the tough challenges of pursuing a doctorate abroad, far from home. She had to balance a demanding equation: managing three school-aged children, giving birth to her fourth child during her first year of doctoral studies, and meeting the heavy demands of research and study. Her story is a living example of relying on Allah, maintaining clear goals, mastering self-leadership, taking accountability, setting smart priorities, and turning pure passion and hard work into a compelling success story.
Ultimately, she crossed the finish line with a proud smile, earning her PhD in Computer-Assisted Language Learning from the University of Reading in the UK in 2020, nine months ahead of her scholarship deadline. Her experience proves that stories told by mothers and mentors can unleash genuine, life-changing transformation. She also highlighted the influence of two close family members: her mother, from whom she learned respect, humility, pride, and dedication to quality work; and her older sister, Noor, who taught her courage, ambition, initiative, and how to take calculated risks.
Drawing on her experience with young professionals, Dr. Muna pointed out that we live in a fast-paced era overflowing with information, making it essential for youth to equip themselves with both technical and soft skills to elevate their performance. Chief among these is the ability to prioritise effectively—focusing on what matters most, as highlighted by Stephen Covey in First Things First, where he explains how to leverage the Eisenhower Matrix for better time management. Yet long before modern frameworks, our commitment to performing daily prayers on time offers a profound, lived lesson in discipline, respect for priorities, and structure.
As an executive performance trainer certified by the Royal Academy of Management, she finds deep purpose in training, believing it creates true impact by transforming behaviour and empowering people to overcome self-limiting thoughts. Sharing a practical example, she recalled a trainee who struggled to write his performance goals under the Ejada system. By the end of the three-day workshop she facilitated, his doubts had cleared, enabling him to confidently craft his performance goals and set his targets.
She emphasised the need for strong leadership in project management, focusing on continuous improvement to ensure lasting impact. In her view, success is not measured by the sheer number of projects launched, but by a leader’s ability to drive sustainable results. This requires carefully assessing reality, identifying structural gaps, and implementing targeted solutions. Innovation plays a pivotal role here; it is not merely about generating brand-new ideas, but about streamlining systems and improving workflows to maximise efficiency. Most importantly, organisations must cultivate a culture of continuous growth, because projects that fail to adapt eventually fade away.
Turning to the modern workplace, Dr. Muna emphasised that women today possess unprecedented empowerment to achieve excellence. A hyper-connected, tech-driven era offers expanding horizons, yet it also presents intense competition and rapid change. Ultimately, success hinges on readiness, reinforcing the classic truth that opportunity favors the prepared mind.
She also stressed the value of tapping into the rich expertise of retired women, whose knowledge often remains underutilised. Connecting these seasoned professionals with a younger generation—equipped with digital fluency, technical skills, and vibrant energy creates powerful synergies. Blending mature wisdom with youthful vitality enables society to tackle shared challenges and pioneer innovative solutions. Beyond practical skills, young people stand to absorb vital life values like patience, perseverance, and the discipline to stay grounded until their goals are realised.
Dr. Muna concluded by reminding women that health is a true crown, empowering us to reach our full potential. She reaffirmed an inspiring principle she lives by: those whose journeys begin in hardship will find a triumphant outcome. Dark beginnings often pave the way to bright ends, serving as a reminder that life remains full of hope and there is always light at the end of the tunnel-or as the classic Arabic poet Al-Tughra’i so beautifully depicted:
I indulge my soul with hopes, awaiting their grace;
How narrow life would be, without hope’s expansive space!
An Omani writer focusing on youth development and cultural issues. Can be reached through [email protected]
