On January 13, 2013, AMIDEAST/Oman opened its doors in a new facility located in the Airports Heights/Ghala section of Muscat. The large, modern facility will better enable AMIDEAST to serve the country's growing need for a broad range of educational and training services.

The new purpose-built space features an EducationUSA library, Cisco Entrepreneur Institute facilities, a variety of classrooms and meeting spaces, two computer labs including one certified by U.S. testing company Educational Testing Services for administration of the Internet-based TOEFL exam, and a student lounge.

“My colleagues and I are very excited about this new chapter in AMIDEAST’s history in the Sultanate,” said Sarah Jackson, AMIDEAST/Oman Country Director. “Our new location will enable us to serve Omanis living and working in the ever-growing areas of Seeb, Al-Khoudh, Al Hail and other neighborhoods, and will position us in the middle of Muscat’s emerging new hub along with Ministries, banks and other commercial entities, educational institutions and the future convention center.”

Visitors to the new center were equally positive. “This new location is excellent, even though I live in Madinat Qaboos. This area can be taken as the heart of Muscat, making it easier for anyone to come here!”  exclaimed Amna Haji, a student in an English language course contracted by the Ministry of Heritage and Culture.  Fellow student Salim Mohammed Al Hassni appreciated “the fact that the institute is not in a crowded city area, there are no more noisy distractions such as unnecessary car horns!” 

Other students agreed that the new location makes their lives easier and highlighted the convenience of the dedicated parking lot with over 50 spaces, as well as the professional feel of the classrooms.   Students also praised AMIDEAST’s teaching staff, complimenting them for “constantly creating a great studying experience” and describing their classes as “informative” and “fun.” 

AMIDEAST has been present in Oman since May 2007, when it signed of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Oman’s Ministry of Education, establishing it as the first permanent resident international organization in the Sultanate.  The MOU was renewed in 2012, enabling AMIDEAST to continue to offer the full range of its programs and services in Oman, including English language and test preparation courses, professional skills development, Project Management Professional (PMP®) and entrepreneurship training, EducationUSA advising, and administration of tests such as the TOEFL, GRE and SAT. In addition, AMIDEAST/Oman administers scholarship programs such as the Fulbright, Youth Exchange and Study (YES) and Global Leaders programs and is actively involved in community outreach activities.