Embassy News and Events

Ambassador and Mrs. Grappo Visit Salalah

U.S. Ambassador to Oman Gary A. Grappo visited the southern city of Salalah from May 19 through 22, getting a first-hand view of the area's economic expansion and social development.  Accompanied by Mrs. Rebecca Grappo, the Ambassador combined calls upon local dignitaries with visits to U.S.-sponsored programs and activities in the Salalah area and tours of some of the region's historic and natural attractions.  The Ambassador and his party traveled overland between Muscat and Salalah, meeting informally with local leaders in the Dakhilia, Wusta, and Dhofar regions en route.

Ambassador Grappo and the Governor of Dhofar, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Ali Al Qatabi

In Salalah, the Ambassador met with officials including H.E. Shaikh Muhammad bin Ali Al-Qatabi, Minister of State and Governor of Dhofar, and Shaikh Salim bin Aufit Al-Shanfari, Chairman of the Dhofar Municipality. Ambassador Grappo highlighted the positive ways in which the strong U.S.-Oman bilateral relationship is benefiting both countries, with special attention on the U.S.-Oman Free Trade Agreement. He toured the Port of Salalah and reviewed the collaborative efforts now under way between the U.S. and Oman to enhance the security of international trade.

Ambassador and Mrs. Grappo met with the Vice Chancellor of Dhofar University, Dr. Muhammad Ali Faour, discussing ways in which the Embassy's activities in support of higher education in Oman might assist the University; Dr. Faour is himself an alumnus of the United States' flagship education exchange, the Fulbright program. 

Mrs. Grappo with students and officials at the Adonab School, where she donated a set of the MEPI-funded My Arabic Library

During his visit to Salalah's English Language Center (ELC), Ambassador Grappo toured the Embassy-sponsored American Corner there and donated additional material, including a World Book Encyclopedia, to its collection.  Salalah's is one of six American Corners hosted by Omani institutions across the Sultanate; others are located in Muscat, Sohar, Al-Buraimi, and Rustaq.  American Corners provide insight into American society, culture, and history through a special collection of books, reference works, DVDs, and other material and by acting as centers for programming on U.S.-related subjects. 

ELC is one of two Salalah institutions that participate in the U.S.-sponsored English Access Microscholarship Program; the other is the city's English Language Services (ELS).  At both centers, Ambassador and Mrs. Grappo met with Access students.  Access provides intensive English-language training to 60 students in Dhofar and a total of 280 students across Oman.  Ambassador Grappo thanked the students for their partnership with the Embassy through the American Corner and the Access program, saying, “By raising awareness of each other’s culture and society, as these programs help to do, we are better able to understand each other and find the common ground we share.”

Ambassador and Mrs. Grappo (left) tour the computer lab at Salalah’s Oman Women’s Association

During the trip, Mrs. Grappo enjoyed the hospitality of leaders of the Omani Women's Association in Salalah. She learned more about primary and secondary education in Dhofar by calling on the A’dunab Basic Education School and the Sayyida Mazoon School for girls.

Also on the Grappos' schedule were visits to the Al-Baleed archaeological site, where a U.S. Embassy grant is helping to ensure the conservation of this important landmark, and a reception and luncheon for local government, business, and academic leaders.

Ambassador Grappo in discussion with Dhofari community leaders outside Salalah