Oman's Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation has signed a programme with the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates – Madayn to boost cooperation between the two in various fields that serve education, scientific research and innovation. 

 

The agreement, which comes in line with the significance of establishing robust partnership and integration between various bodies, was signed by Dr Rahma bint Ibrahim Al Mahrouqiyah, the Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, and Hilal bin Hamad Al Hasani, Chief Executive Officer of Madayn. 

 

The cooperation programme aims to develop joint plans for linking the outputs of higher education institutions with the investing companies in the industrial cities of Madayn. 

 

It will also help strengthen integration between the current and future development plans of the industrial cities and fields of higher education, scientific research and innovation, said the statement. 

 

According to experts, this cooperation programme will play a major role in developing the curricula of higher education institutions regarding the various specialisations that are linked with the industrial needs of the sector and the companies in the industrial cities. 

 

As per the agreement, Madayn will provide training opportunities at the industrial cities for the undergraduates, and vocational colleges’ students. 

 

The cooperation programme also aspires to enhance the exchange of consultations and expertise to support the development of scientific research and innovation in the industrial fields, and adopt the results and outputs of innovative and viable research and project ideas and transform them into investment projects and opportunities according to mechanisms agreed upon by the related parties, they added. 

 

Additionally, the programme will encourage the investing companies in the industrial cities to offer scholarships for higher education studies, in order to meet the employment requirements in the companies, sectors and industrial cities that fall under the umbrella of Madayn. 

 

Moreover, an electronic interactive platform will be formed with the participation of the relevant parties to exchange data and information related to the implementation of this programme.

 

Following the signing of the cooperation programme, Dr Al Mahrouqiyah toured Nizwa Industrial City, which pertains to Madayn, in the presence of the ministry's undersecretaries Dr. Muna bint Salim Al Jardaniyah, Dr Bakhait bin Ahmed Al Mahri and Dr Saif bin Abdullah Al Haddabi as well as Madayn CEO Hilal bin Hamad Al Hasani. 

 

Nizwa Industrial City Director General Engineer Saleh bin Salman Al Abri said the total investment volume of Nizwa Industrial City has exceeded RO369 million ($956 million) during the first half of 2020, marking a growth rate of 1.13% compared to the same period last year. 

 

The total workforce in the industrial city has surged to 6,100 and the total area of the industrial city has surpassed 3 million sqm, he stated.

 

The number of projects in Nizwa has reached 150 during the first half, of which 128 are operating, 10 are under construction and 12 been allotted with space, noted Al Abri during the tour.

 

The minister later visited Al Anwar Ceramic Tiles, Sledgehammer Gulf, and Gulf Energy nits in the industrial city.-TradeArabia News Service