Dr Asma Al Aufi, an Omani academic, researcher, entrepreneur, and business leader, has been nominated for the Women Entrepreneur of the Year award at the Influencer Magazine Awards 2026. The nomination recognises her ability to bridge the worlds of academia and industry while advancing education, innovation, and leadership in Oman and internationally.
She is a Lecturer at the College of Preparatory Studies, Sultan Qaboos University, and the Managing Director of Moon Group LLC, a position that reflects her unique combination of academic expertise and entrepreneurial vision. She holds a PhD in Higher Education from Lancaster University in the UK, a Master’s degree in Applied Linguistics and TESOL from Newcastle University, and a Bachelor’s degree in English Language from Sultan Qaboos University. Her academic career spans over a decade, beginning with nine years at Middle East College as a Senior Lecturer before joining Sultan Qaboos University. Her research focuses on higher education, educational policy, artificial intelligence in education, and English language teaching, with particular emphasis on curriculum development, language assessment, and pedagogical innovation. She has published in international peer-reviewed journals and is recognised on platforms such as Google Scholar and ResearchGate, demonstrating her commitment to contributing to the global academic community.
Alongside her academic career, Dr Al Aufi serves as Managing Director of Moon Group LLC, where she contributes to strategic leadership, business development, and organisational growth. Her ability to operate across both academia and industry reflects a distinctive leadership profile that combines research-informed thinking with practical business decision-making. She is also an Executive Member of the Forbes Business Council, connecting her with an international community of senior executives and business leaders.
Dr Al Aufi has received a number of national and international recognitions, including the Omani Woman Award 2024 and Women in Leadership Award 2025, acknowledging her contributions to education, leadership, and professional development. Her work spans higher education, research, business leadership, and international engagement, with a particular interest in translating research and innovation into meaningful institutional and societal impact. She is a passionate advocate for educational enhancement who combines rigorous research methodology with practical teaching experience to shape future-ready learning ecosystems. Her expertise spans higher education teaching, research evaluation, international relations, and applied linguistics, uniquely positioning her to drive impactful educational transformation.
Dr Al Aufi’s nomination for Women Entrepreneur of the Year at the Influencer Magazine Awards 2026 recognises a career that increasingly bridges academia, research, and business leadership. Her work reflects a broader vision of leadership in which education, entrepreneurship, and innovation can complement one another to create meaningful opportunities and lasting impact in Oman and internationally.
