Embassy News and Events

Ambassador Grappo Visits Sohar and Rustaq

Ambassador Grappo (second from right), with Dr. Hind Abdullah Al Hasmi, Dean of Rustaq College of Education (second from left) and College officials.  As part of his visit, the Ambassador donated a range of new books to expand the collection of the College’s American Corner

On February 12 and 13, Ambassador Gary A. Grappo visited Oman’s fast-growing commercial and industrial city Sohar along with the city of Rustaq.  The Ambassador called on local officials and 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.  In Sohar, the Ambassador hosted a reception for local government, business, and academic leaders; he also visited the Port of Sohar to see first-hand how American involvement there is assisting the ambitious development now under way. 

At Sohar University, Ambassador Grappo met with faculty and staff and toured the campus, stopping at the library to visit the University’s American Corner, one of six such facilities in Oman that are the result of cooperation between the Embassy and local host institutions.  American Corners provide insight into U.S. society, culture, and history through a special collection of books, reference works, DVDs, and other material.  Ambassador Grappo marked the third anniversary of Sohar’s American Corner by donating additional collection material including an encyclopedia and books aimed at readers of English as a second language.

While in Rustaq, the Ambassador visited the Rustaq College of Education, which also hosts an American Corner.  He toured a special exhibition demonstrating the varied activities of students in the College’s English Department and talked with students about opportunities available to Omani students at U.S. colleges and universities.  The Embassy’s donation to the Rustaq American corner included a special collection of books supporting the College’s English-language teaching program.  He thanked the College and students for their partnership with the Embassy through the American Corner, saying, “By raising awareness of each other’s culture and society, as this American Corner helps to do, we are better able to understand each other and find the common ground we share.”

Before returning to Muscat, the Ambassador toured the power and desalination plant owned and managed by the American firm AES at Barka.