University of Arizona and GCC alumni celebrate 11th annual reunion in Oman

Wednesday
Rikki Mioduski, Arizona International
Members of the University of Arizona Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC-UA) alumni community pose for a large group photo on stage during the 11th Annual GCC Alumni Reunion in Salalah, Oman. The audience includes alumni, officials, and guests seated and standing in several rows inside an auditorium decorated with red curtains and projection screens.

This month, members of the University of Arizona Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC-UA) alumni community gathered in Salalah, Oman, for the 11th Annual GCC Alumni Reunion, celebrating nearly two decades of tradition, camaraderie, and global engagement. Established in 2010, the GCC-UA is one of the largest U of A international alumni affinity groups, comprising alumni, friends, and affiliates from the GCC countries of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Alumni were joined by University of Arizona representatives including Dr. Jenny Lee, vice president for Arizona International and dean of international education; Dr. Iman Hakim, dean of the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health; Hassan Hijazi, assistant vice president for Middle East and North African affairs; Dr. Kevin Fitzsimmons, director of international initiatives, College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences (CALES); Mr. Ola Lundemo, assistant director for international tourism and hospitality, CALES; Ludmila Clarke, program director, sponsored programs, Arizona International; and Dr. Sonia Shiri, director of Arabic special programs.

During the visit, the U of A leadership also held high-level meetings with His Highness Sayyid Marwan bin Turki Al Said, Governor of Dhofar, as well as with Dr. Ahmad Albakri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, and Abdulsalam Al Murshidi, President of the Oman Investment Authority, further underscoring the depth of engagement with Omani government and institutional leaders.

Additionally, the delegation had the opportunity to meet with leaders from Dhofar Municipality, Dhofar University, the University of Technology and Applied Sciences, and the University of Nizwa in Oman, before continuing to the UAE for visits to Gulf Medical University in Ajman, the American University in Dubai, and Abu Dhabi University. These engagements focused on expanding collaborations in public health, sustainable tourism, engineering, law, business, and health sciences.

“These meetings reflect the U of A’s commitment to building and maintaining meaningful partnerships across the Gulf region,” said Dr. Lee. “By engaging with government leaders and universities alike, we are not only strengthening academic collaboration but also creating opportunities for innovation and impact that benefit both our students and the communities we serve.”

A Tradition of Connection

This year’s reunion, graciously hosted by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said and His Highness Sayyid Marwan bin Turki Al Said, brought together more than 150 alumni while also honoring those who organized previous gatherings in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Each year, the reunion rotates among GCC countries, offering a chance to highlight the host city while fostering networking and strengthening regional ties between alumni and the University of Arizona.

In her keynote remarks at the reunion gala, Dr. Lee opened with greetings on behalf of the university and President Suresh Garimella, who sent a special message commending GCC-UA alumni for their leadership and enduring Wildcat spirit. President Garimella noted that the GCC is home to “one of the most active regions with some of our most successful graduates” and expressed his hope to join a future reunion.

Dr. Lee also spotlighted impactful regional collaborations, including a $3M Executive Education partnership with Oman’s Ministry of Finance, the Million Date Palm Project advancing agricultural and environmental research with Omani universities, and the U of A Biosphere 2 Falaj Exhibition, an outdoor installation celebrating traditional Omani irrigation spearheaded by alumnus Sultan Alharthy and supported by the Sultan Qaboos Cultural Center.

Additionally, the university continues to expand its microcampus network in the region, including dual-degree programs at Gulf Medical University in Ajman and the newly launched microcampus at Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University in Saudi Arabia.

Dr. Lee paid tribute to the GCC Alumni group’s founder, Dr. Mohammed Sharaf, for his visionary role in building the alumni network. She also highlighted alumnus Ahmad Anoohi, whose four daughters graduated with highest honors from the U of A, including his daughter Aisha, who recently served as a student speaker at Arizona International’s Global Graduation.

The 11th GCC Alumni Reunion reinforced the U of A’s enduring commitment to fostering academic partnerships, advancing collective research, and strengthening alumni engagement across the Gulf region. The event brought together graduates, government leaders, and university partners to reaffirm the vital role of international education in addressing global challenges. It highlighted the GCC-UA alumni community as a pillar of lifelong connection and academic collaboration.