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The study aims to assess Oman's preparedness for digital competency on three parameters: knowledge, technology, and future readiness. Second, it aims to identify critical areas of implementation of digital competency concerning HEIs.

Knowledge shall be assessed for talent, training and education, and scientific concentration. Technology will be evaluated based on regulatory, capital, and technological frameworks. Future readiness shall be examined based on adaptive attitude, business agility, and IT integration. The overall status in all three areas will be evaluated, considering contributions made by various stakeholders, such as the government, public agencies, corporations, educational institutions, etc. The data for this exploratory exercise shall be cogenerated from various secondary sources that are available openly.

Oman scores above average on parameters of technological and regulatory framework, adaptive attitudes, and IT integration, with an average score above 60 out of 100. Oman’s mean score for sub-factors like talent, training and education, capital, and business agility is average—between 50 and 60. The mean score for scientific concentration is 35.14—below average for this criterion.

Most of the studies in Oman have concentrated mainly on teachers' online awareness and competencies, particularly in schools during and after the post-COVID scenario. However, negligible studies are available for higher education. This is an original study for assessing digital competencies, particularly concerning higher education towards achieving Vision 2040 and diversifying the Sultanate of Oman as a knowledge economy.

Many individual and family hardships are associated with poorly understood palliative care needs arising from advanced dementia within India. The purpose of this paper is to explore the experiences of people in India affected by advanced dementia and to shape educational approaches for practitioners and the local community.

Three focus groups with family carers of people (n = 27) with advanced dementia were undertaken with local communities in South India. One focus group was carried out in English and two in the local language (Kannada) and translated to English.

The findings of the focus groups are presented in four themes, conditions of caring, intersecting vulnerabilities, desperate acts of care and awareness of education and training needs. These themes highlight the challenges faced by family carers of people with advanced dementia and describe the potential harm, abuse and poor mental well-being facing both the person with dementia and the family carer as a result of their situation.

There is a need to explore ways to ensure inclusivity and sensitivity in the research process and enable equal participation from all participants.

The findings highlight a lack of support for family carers of people with advanced dementia and demonstrate the need for dementia-specific integrated and palliative care approaches in India.

This paper provides insight into the experiences and challenges facing family caregivers of people living with advanced dementia in India to shape practitioner education in a way that will underpin effective dementia-specific palliation and integrated services.