
60 graduates celebrate success in MoSD initiative
MUSCAT: A special ceremony was held to mark the graduation of 60 male and female participants from the second batch of the 'Be with Us for Them' initiative, aimed at rehabilitating people with disabilities. The event was graced by Dr Laila bint Ahmed Al Najjar, Minister of Social Development, and patron of the ceremony, who highlighted the significant contributions of the private sector, government institutions, and various companies in providing job opportunities for people with disabilities after completing their training.
Dr Laila emphasised that the training programme was instrumental in preparing individuals for their roles in the workforce. By equipping them with valuable experience and skills, the initiative has successfully enabled many to secure positions in the private sector, which has played a key role in their employment and inclusion in the labour market.
The minister further stressed the vital partnership between the government and private sector in empowering people with disabilities, noting the skills and capabilities of these individuals that are now being nurtured through job opportunities.
The programme offered training in several key areas including customer service, office management, document printing and copying, and electronic archiving. In total, 21 male and female participants with various disabilities, including mental, motor, and hearing impairments, underwent training at the University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS) in Sohar, North Al Batinah Governorate. Another 39 participants, also with mental, motor, and hearing disabilities, received training at the Mohammed Al Barwani Training Institute in Al Athaiba, Muscat Governorate.
The 'Be with Us for Them' initiative is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Social Development (MoSD), and the Specialised Human Development Center, aiming to contribute to Oman Vision 2040. The initiative works to enhance the social responsibility framework by empowering people with disabilities and aligning with national priorities focused on inclusivity and workforce participation. It also aims to create a supportive environment for the sector, promoting the efficient use of resources and partnerships between government bodies, the private sector, and civil society.
The programme is designed to provide advanced social services and programmes that meet community needs while fostering a sense of unity, citizenship, and solidarity. During the ceremony, success stories of graduates who have secured jobs in various sectors were shared, along with a visual presentation, 'Building and Giving,' which showcased the initiative's impact on both the beneficiaries and the employers who have supported the project.
Hatem bin Hamad Al Taie, Editor-in-Chief of Al Roya Press and Publishing Foundation, delivered a presentation on the success of the initiative, revealing that 50 per cent of the graduates - 30 individuals - have been employed, with 9 in the government sector and 21 in private companies. A breakdown of employment locations showed that 22 individuals were employed in Muscat Governorate and 8 in Sohar.
Dina Al Khalili, General Manager of Al Jisr Charitable Foundation, also spoke at the event, affirming that the 'Be with Us for Them' initiative reflects a shared vision of empowering people with disabilities and enabling them to contribute meaningfully to society. She emphasised that true empowerment begins with an inclusive environment, which the Foundation has worked to create through its support of the initiative.
Graduate Aisha bint Badr Al Fazari expressed gratitude on behalf of the graduates, acknowledging the support and encouragement they have received since joining the programme. She shared how the initiative had bolstered their self-confidence, improved their skills, and prepared them to confidently enter the job market.
Launched in September 2022, the 'Be with Us for Them' initiative has successfully placed 57 individuals in paid training and job opportunities through the participation of 13 private sector entities. Looking ahead, the programme aims to empower 500 individuals with disabilities by 2027, continuing its mission to integrate people with disabilities into the workforce and society.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Muscat Daily
2 hours ago
- Muscat Daily
New public transport hub to come up in Buraimi
Buraimi – The Governorate of Buraimi and Mwasalat signed an agreement last week to establish a new integrated public transport station in the wilayat of Buraimi. The project forms part of efforts to expand sustainable mobility infrastructure under Oman Vision 2040. The new transport station will be developed in the North Aqda area on a 56,000sqm plot, serving both intercity and local routes. Facilities will include a smart taxi terminal, micro-mobility options, air-conditioned waiting areas, commercial and logistics spaces, parking for buses and private vehicles, as well as dedicated offices for operations. The agreement was signed in the presence of H E Eng Khamis bin Mohammed al Shamakhi, Undersecretary for Transport in the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology. Dr Hamad bin Ahmed al Busaidi, Governor of Buraimi, signed on behalf of the governorate, while Eng Bader bin Mohammed al Nadabi, CEO of Mwasalat, represented the company. Under the terms of the agreement, Mwasalat will take on technical responsibilities including design specifications and implementation oversight. The company will also manage and operate the station once it is completed. The governorate will provide funding and manage regulatory aspects such as land allocation and zoning approvals. Busaidi said the station would support a shift in the public transport landscape in Buraimi. 'The station will serve a large number of passengers, especially with the 12 daily trips between Muscat and Buraimi,' he said. 'It will also reinforce Buraimi's position as a key transit point along the Muscat-Abu Dhabi corridor.' Eng Nadabi said the project also has commercial potential. 'A tender for the station's development and operation will be issued shortly,' he said. 'Construction is due to begin within three months and is expected to be completed in three years.' The initiative aligns with Oman's national objective to enhance domestic connectivity and promote governorates as regional centres for transport and logistics.


Muscat Daily
5 hours ago
- Muscat Daily
be'ah, OQ sign deal for biogas project
Muscat – Oman Environmental Services Holding Company (be'ah) and OQ Trading have signed a cooperation agreement to develop a national project focused on producing biogas (biomethane) and bio-carbon dioxide by processing organic waste from landfills and future biofacilities managed by be'ah. This collaboration aims to turn environmental challenges into promising economic opportunities by utilising approximately 20mn cubic metres of biogas extracted from these sites – comprising around 40% biomethane (a renewable fuel) and 60% bio-CO₂ for sustainable industrial applications. The agreement sets out a roadmap for conducting technical and economic feasibility studies, infrastructure assessments, and exploring commercial marketing opportunities for the project's outputs. It also aims to create attractive local investment prospects aligned with the goals of Oman Vision 2040. Both companies highlighted that this partnership represents an integrated national collaboration between the energy and environmental sectors. It combines be'ah's expertise in waste and resource management with OQ Trading's global energy capabilities to reinforce Oman's position as a regional hub for clean energy. Eng Tariq Ali al Amri, CEO of be'ah, stated that the project marks a new milestone in energy recovery from organic waste through sustainable methods – converting environmental challenges into developmental and economic opportunities. He noted that biogas and bio-CO₂ production would reduce emissions, support Oman's net-zero goals, enhance waste management efficiency, and provide alternative energy sources. Said Talib al Maawali, Executive Director for the Middle East at OQ Trading, described the project as an attractive opportunity to diversify Oman's energy mix in line with the 2050 carbon neutrality targets and global trends towards sustainable, low-carbon energy solutions. He regarded the initiative as a strategic nucleus that will stimulate further investment in waste-to-energy initiatives and strengthen clean energy value chains. ONA


Observer
2 days ago
- Observer
Dhofar gears up for khareef with 100 tourist sites, 7,300 rooms
SALALAH, June 7 Dhofar Governorate is gearing up for its signature tourism season with a marked increase in hospitality capacity, as the number of licensed establishments reaches 100, offering 7,300 rooms, the Directorate General of Heritage and Tourism has confirmed. The expansion — driven by new hotel openings in Salalah, Taqah and Mirbat — is part of wider preparations for Khareef 2025, a key period for tourism in Oman. 'This capacity growth reflects our strategic focus on readiness and service excellence,' said Abdullah bin Omar al Sabbah Baaboud, Assistant Director of the Promotion Department in Dhofar. The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, he noted, is working in tandem with stakeholders to upgrade tourism infrastructure and attract further investment into the hospitality sector. These efforts align with Oman Vision 2040, which positions tourism as a vital contributor to economic diversification and local development. According to official data, Dhofar welcomed 1.048 million visitors during the Khareef 2024 season, a 9 per cent year-on-year increase. Omani visitors surged by 70.1 per cent to over 734,500, while Gulf visitors rose 16.9 per cent, reaching nearly 177,000. Visitors from other Arab nations also posted a modest increase of 3.6 per cent. By end-2024, Dhofar had 83 licensed hotel properties offering 6,537 rooms. The additional supply — set to reach 100 hotels by summer 2025 — aims to meet rising demand and expand accommodation options for a diverse visitor base. The 2024 season also featured a significantly extended calendar of events, running for 90 consecutive days. Activities ranged from cultural showcases and family entertainment to sporting attractions such as the Salalah International Cycling Tour, drawing broad audience engagement across the governorate. The ministry implemented targeted marketing campaigns, participated in international travel exhibitions; and organised media and trade familiarisation trips. Social media outreach also intensified, partnering with regional influencers to reinforce Dhofar's profile as a leading monsoon destination. Officials expect further growth in visitor arrivals over the coming seasons, supported by continuous infrastructure upgrades and broader investment in tourism services. With Khareef tourism now a centrepiece of Dhofar's economic strategy, the governorate is on track to solidify its standing as a premier destination in the Arabian Peninsula.