Oman launches game development bootcamp to empower youth
As part of national initiatives aimed at empowering Omani talent in modern digital fields, the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology held the opening ceremony of the Video Game Development Bootcamp. The bootcamp is implemented by Al-Nahda Institute in collaboration with Unity Technologies, under the patronage of His Excellency Dr. Ali bin Amer Al-Shezani, Undersecretary of the Ministry for Communications and Information Technology, and attended by a number of experts in technology and video games.
This bootcamp aligns with the national vision to enhance digital capabilities and empower Omani youth in modern tech sectors, in line with the Sultanate's aspirations for digital transformation and a knowledge-based economy.
Jalila bint Abdullah Al-Fannah Al-Araimi, Director of the Future Skills Development Department at the Ministry, stated during the ceremony: 'This bootcamp aims to empower 50 job seekers who are passionate and talented in game development, through two specialised tracks in programming and animation design. The training is delivered through an intensive 24-week program that combines theoretical foundations with practical application, supervised by certified trainers and experts from inside and outside the Sultanate.'
She also explained: 'The bootcamp is distinguished by its focus on hands-on experience, offering participants training opportunities within tech incubators and enabling them to develop their own game projects. This contributes to preparing them to establish competitive Omani startups in this vital digital sector.'
Al-Fannah Al-Araimi emphasised: 'Investing in national digital talent is the cornerstone of building a sustainable digital economy. This bootcamp is a practical initiative to achieve that goal by opening new horizons for Omani youth to actively participate in the global gaming industry.'
She added: 'This collaboration with Unity Technologies – one of the world's leading companies in game engines and interactive technologies – is the first of its kind in the Sultanate with the program's implementing body. It represents a fruitful and valuable partnership both technically and intellectually. Unity is one of the most prominent names in the gaming industry, with its technologies used in developing over 50% of digital games worldwide. This partnership is a strategic opportunity to transfer deep and practical expertise to the participants.'
His Excellency Sheikh Humaid bin Jumaa Al-Shamsi, Chairman of Al-Nahda Training Institute, stated: 'This unique initiative is part of our vision to empower Omani youth and equip them with modern digital skills that have become the foundation of advanced global economies.'
He added: 'The video game industry is not just entertainment it is a comprehensive knowledge based industry that combines programming, design, artificial intelligence, and artistic creativity. From this perspective, the idea of this bootcamp emerged as a practical platform to qualify our youth to engage in this promising global sector.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Muscat Daily
9 hours ago
- Muscat Daily
Indian Embassy screens short anti-drugs film ‘Paru'
Muscat – Indian Embassy in Muscat hosted a screening of Paru on Monday in the presence of H E GV Srinivas, Indian Ambassador to Oman, as chief guest, and Omani actor Talib al Balushi as guest of honour. Paru is a short film made as part of the World Malayalee Federation's anti-drug campaign. Written and directed by Kabeer Yousuf, Paru tells the story of an Indian couple living in a Gulf state whose drug-addicted teenage son dies prematurely. The tragedy pushes the mother into mental distress, requiring treatment, while the father struggles to cope with his disturbed personal and professional life. The narrative unfolds as a journey through grief, struggle and rediscovery of love. Produced by Ameen Mohammed and Sajimon George under the banner of Bhavalaya, the 37-minute film explores the emotional burden of drug abuse, particularly on mothers who often suffer in silence. Oman-based actors Anita Rajan and Somasundaram play the lead roles, supported by Kiran Hariprasad, Ashok Kumar, Ryan George and Vishruth. The film also features students from Thalassery Brennan HSS in Kerala. Dr J Ratnakumar, founder of Bhavalaya and Global Chairman of World Malayalee Federation, said, 'As an organisation active in Oman for over a decade, our efforts have always aimed to bring people together through art, literature and film.' The film's cinematography, editing and makeup are credited to Vishnu Venugopal, Jaffer PC and Azra Aleem respectively.
Times of Oman
11 hours ago
- Times of Oman
Over 400 participants attend Oman REFCO Esports Championship
Muscat: The Oman REFCO Esports Championship concluded on August 1, drawing more than 400 participants from governorates across the country and marking the largest event of its kind in Oman. Organised by Oman REFCO and Omani Gaming & Esports Committee in partnership with Active Oman, E-sports Arena and Oman Automobile Association, the two-day event represented a key step in empowering youth and advancing digital talent nationwide. Held at Active Oman Centre, the championship aimed to empower Omani youth in digital media and competitive gaming, in line with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040 to build a digital society and knowledge-based economy. Saba Al Busaidi, Head of the Omani Gaming & Esports Committee, said: 'Public-private partnerships are vital to nurturing young talent and developing their skills across diverse sectors. This collaboration serves as a strong model for how we can support young Omanis. Through the Oman REFCO Esports Championship, we are offering youth a meaningful opportunity to hone their skills within the esports ecosystem. Our joint effort directly supports the objectives of Oman Vision 2040 and our shared ambition of building an advanced digital society.' Suleiman bin Abdullah Al Salmi, Head of Human Resources and Corporate Services at Oman REFCO, said: 'At Oman REFCO, we believe investing in youth is investing in the future of Oman. Our support for this championship reflects our commitment to transforming the gaming sector from a recreational space into a viable economic and professional driver that contributes to the country's economic diversification.' He added: 'Through this event, we aim to create a dynamic environment for youth, enabling them to strengthen their digital capabilities and explore new avenues in the world of digital innovation. We remain in close coordination with the Omani Gaming & Esports Committee to expand and strengthen this momentum moving forward.' Participants competed in three main categories – FIFA 25, Tekken, and Assetto Corsa – with high energy, attractive cash prizes, and motivational workshops featured throughout the competition. The championship was generously sponsored by Brigadier Jamal Al Tai, Chairman of the Oman Automobile Association and Active Oman, who praised the event's role in inspiring Omani youth and channeling their energy into emerging tech-driven fields. He said: 'The Oman Automobile Association and Active Oman is proud to support this initiative and collaborate with organizations working to build a capable digital generation that can represent the Sultanate on global platforms.' The association and Active Oman also supported event promotion and provided logistical and technical support during the championship. The Oman REFCO Esports Championship is the largest of its kind in the Sultanate, aiming to identify emerging Omani talent and prepare them for inclusion in the national esports team. Oman REFCO reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the esports sector and positioning it as a strategic economic pillar of Oman's digital future.
Times of Oman
17 hours ago
- Times of Oman
Civil Aviation Authority enhances cybersecurity awareness at Muscat and Salalah airports
Muscat: As part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen cybersecurity, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) organized an awareness event at Muscat International Airport and Salalah Airport, in collaboration with strategic sector partners. The event is part of the Civil Aviation Cybersecurity Awareness Program and was held under the theme 'A Safe Journey in a Digital Space.' The initiative aims to raise awareness among travelers about safe digital practices and to empower them to protect their personal data before, during, and after travel. By doing so, it contributes to creating a secure and informed travel environment in line with the requirements of the digital era. The event received strong engagement from both passengers and aviation personnel. A dedicated awareness booth showcased the most common cybersecurity threats travelers might encounter, alongside the distribution of informative materials providing practical tips for maintaining data security while traveling. This initiative forms part of the second edition of the Civil Aviation Cybersecurity Awareness Program, which targets various segments of society in alignment with the national direction to enhance digital security awareness across all sectors—particularly civil aviation as one of the nation's vital industries. Civil aviation plays a pivotal role in connecting the Sultanate of Oman to the world, supporting trade, tourism, and cultural exchange. With the increasing reliance on technology and advanced digital solutions, cybersecurity has become crucial to ensuring the sector's safety, operational continuity, and public trust. The importance of cybersecurity in civil aviation lies in protecting sensitive aviation systems, ensuring the safety of passengers and crew, safeguarding travelers' personal data, and maintaining uninterrupted operations. The Civil Aviation Authority reaffirms its commitment to enhancing the sector's capabilities in facing digital challenges, in collaboration with its strategic partners, and to fostering a sustainable security culture that supports Oman's digital transformation vision and strengthens its position as a regional aviation hub.
