PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE
The education sector needs to be responsive and adapt quickly in terms of its educational offerings and its ability to equip students with skills for the future.
BIOGRAPHY
Rawya Saud Al Busaidi was the first woman to be appointed to a full ministerial rank in Oman. She has been in her position since 2004 and since the same year has also served as deputy chair of the Council of Education and chair of the Sultan Qaboos University Council. In 2005, she was also appointed deputy chair of Oman's Research Council. Other governmental appointments include membership on the Supreme Planning Council, chair of the Executive Committee of the project to establish the University of Oman, as well as membership on the Supreme Committee for that project. Before her appointment as Minister of Higher Education, she served successively as director general of two different directorates within the Ministry of Higher Education and then as undersecretary.
How do you assess the contribution of the private higher education sector in supporting the labor market with skilled workforce?
When the government decided to call on the private sector to assist in preparing the Omani youth for the labor market, a set of specific standards, procedures and guidelines on quality assurance were developed. Academic affiliations with overseas higher education institutions (HEIs) with internationally experienced staff and that have internationally recognized standards is one strategy that allows local institutions to learn from one another and exchange best practices with the partner institution. The government has also established the Oman Academic Accreditation Authority (OAAA) to ensure that the delivery of higher education by the local institutions is on par with international benchmarks. With regard to the employability of graduates from private HEIs compared to the employability of their peers who graduated from the public institutions, the outcomes of the graduate surveys regularly conducted by the Ministry of Higher Education show that the graduates from private HEIs account for around 64% of the employed graduates in 2019. The private higher education sector is facing a number of challenges that—if not addressed—will threaten its sustainability. Private institutions continue to heavily rely on government-funded scholarship students and have not been successful enough in attracting international students. They must increase their competencies to comply with the national, regional, and international standards to be able to sustain in such a dynamic and ever-changing market.
What is the best strategy to ensure Omanis are equipped with transferable skills to adopt to the evolving nature of today's job market?
The Ministry of Higher Education is aware that there is an urgent need to address the impact of new technologies on labor markets through upgraded education policies that aim to rapidly raise the education and skill levels of people of all ages. The higher education system must employ agile and flexible methods in view of program delivery, program design, and training that needs be responsive to varying employer needs. Other relevant intervention points include curricula, staff training, and a reinvention of vocational training to prepare for Industry 4.0, while broadening its appeal beyond the traditional low- and medium-skilled occupations at the same time. It is also important to promote collaboration and dialogue among all stakeholders. There are many stakeholders with an influence on education including local employers and government policymakers, business groups, and training providers. In addition, improvements in education and skills provision must be balanced with efforts to be made on the demand side. This means there is a need for accurate and updated information about the labor market needs in view of all types of skills in order for the education system can respond by equipping students with these required skills.
Where do you expect technology to impact the higher education system the most in Oman?
The strategic direction of Oman Vision 2040 has been carefully designed to ensure the educational system leverages human capabilities, as this is a necessary prerequisite for the development of a knowledge society and adaptable national talent with the ability to compete in the labor market. The National Strategy for Education 2040 outlines the guidelines and an action plan to achieve these objectives. It calls for improving the information technology infrastructure and for support of the use of cutting-edge technology, e-learning, and capacity building in our educational institutions. The educational developments in Oman witnessed system- and structural-wide changes, including a complete review of the curriculum, leading to a more practice-based curriculum attuned to the needs of the workplace, and pedagogical approaches and improving learning and teaching methods that encourages innovative thinking. The government has provided all the support needed by HEIs to provide an educational environment that encourages learning by practice and ensures that innovation is at the heart of their learning outcomes.
PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Focus: Future foreign policy
Friends to all, enemy to none
In championing the late Sultan Qaboos' non-interference foreign policy, the new ruler of Oman, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, is determined to work for friendship and peace, justice and harmony, and coexistence and positive constructive dialogue.
read articleInterview
David Kalife, CEO, Oman Oil Marketing Company (OOMCO)
Despite Oman's fuel market slowing down, OOMCO increased its sales volume of lubricants by 36% in 2019 and is constructing a greenfield bunker terminal at the Port of Duqm. The company has transformed while growing its expertise in Marketing and Digital.
read articleInterview
Azzan Al Busaidi, CEO, Ithraa
Azzan Al Busaidi is an expert in competitiveness and economic growth. He was appointed CEO of Ithraa in 2019 after 17 years spent covering managerial roles in the organization. Al Busaidi was previously Ithraa's director general of planning and studies and is a strong advocate of the potential of digitization. He holds an MBA from the University of Strathclyde and a BSc in Economics from Sultan Qaboos University.
read articleInterview
Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry & Investment Promotion & Former Chairman, Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Private Omani companies will be able to benefit greatly from the Fourth Industrial Revolution by enhancing their local value-added strategies and upskilling the workforce.
read articleInterview
Tahir Bin Salim Bin Abdullah Al Amri, Executive President, Central Bank of Oman (CBO)
The Central Bank of Oman's job is to ensure there is adequate liquidity in the system and that banks remain robust and resilient to meet the credit requirements of all segments without undermining financial stability.
read articleB2B
Capital markets
CMA and MSM are supporting Vision 2040 by providing financing to government companies that intend to go public, financing expansion of existing and new IPOs, and widening the investors base in Oman by enhancing and developing the investment funds and insurance industries.
read articleInterview
Khalid Al Balushi, CEO, Khazaen Economic City
International investors and business owners can benefit from Khazaen Economic City's strategic location and its close proximity to the main gateways of the country to import, process, manufacture, distribute locally, and export their goods and services.
read articleFocus: Port 4.0
Destined for greatness
Investments in world-class infrastructure have generated huge rewards for Oman. The goal now is to leverage technology as a disruptive enabler, build human capacity across the public and private logistics sectors, and drive operational efficiencies to build an integrated logistics business environment that is benchmarked against the world's best.
read articleFocus: Gap in tourism services
All bases covered
An amalgamation of local companies and unique experiences in Oman has created an original flavor that is further differentiating Oman's tourism offering from other countries and in the process attracting scores of tourists from all across the world.
read articleB2B
Engineering design
Renardet Engineering Consultants and Design Unit Engineering are recognized experts in their fields. While the former is an international company strongly committed to excellent engineering consultancy services and environmental practices, the latter is an Oman-based team of architects and engineers that incorporates local culture and traditions.
read articleB2B
Construction materials
Oman's construction sector is facing a host of challenges, but Hempel Paints and Al Maha Ceramics are confident that a mix of forward-thinking business models, unique products, and strong government initiatives will help them through turbulent times and generate positive returns in the long run.
read articleInterview
Salim Razvi, CEO, Oman Academic Accreditation Authority (OAAA)
Focusing on higher education institutional accreditation, program accreditation, and the updating and maintaining of the Oman Qualifications Framework, OAAA is helping further advance higher education in the Sultanate.
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