
Space Engineering Lab under development in Oman
MUSCAT, JUNE 3
The National Space Programme is currently developing a space engineering laboratory in collaboration with Sultan Qaboos University (SQ), according to a key official associated with the initiative.
Dr Saud bin Humaid al Shueili, Head of the National Space Programme at the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MoTCIT), the Space Engineering Lab initiative underscores Oman's investment in local talent and research.
'Oman has the personal talent and the Universities in the country with the clear potential to deliver and sustain a space industry. The national space programme is working closely with Sultan Qaboos University to develop the Oman Space Engineering Laboratory. This is an important national project for developing domestic capability and building space skills for the Omani population. Oman has many excellent universities producing graduates in relevant science subjects,' Dr Al Shueili added in an interview featured in SpaceTech Gulf.
The official also shared that the programme is working closely with academic establishments and the private sector to explore opportunities for incorporating space education into existing courses.
'The National Programme is working with private companies and universities to understand how we can further integrate space specific elements into existing courses such as engineers, data science, and GIS,' he added.
Capacity building has been identified as a key pillar of the Oman Space Policy and Executive Programme, a 10-year framework aimed at positioning Oman as a regional and global hub for space applications.
The policy outlines a national strategy to upskill graduates, embed space content into academic programmes, and strengthen academia-industry cooperation. It also encourages the creation of mentorship, business coaching, and technical training opportunities that reflect real market demand.
Last September, the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology unveiled a tender for the development of a space accelerator programme which aims to support entrepreneurs and local startups in the sector by providing resources, funding and guidance to help them expand and bring innovative products to the local and global markets.
According to the ministry, the programme will focus on various activities in the space sector including communications, earth observation, geospatial analytics, drones, artificial intelligence and machine learning, big data processing, data storage and preservation, space sustainability and spacecraft simulation.
Hashtags

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


Observer
2 days ago
- Observer
Space Engineering Lab under development in Oman
MUSCAT, JUNE 3 The National Space Programme is currently developing a space engineering laboratory in collaboration with Sultan Qaboos University (SQ), according to a key official associated with the initiative. Dr Saud bin Humaid al Shueili, Head of the National Space Programme at the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MoTCIT), the Space Engineering Lab initiative underscores Oman's investment in local talent and research. 'Oman has the personal talent and the Universities in the country with the clear potential to deliver and sustain a space industry. The national space programme is working closely with Sultan Qaboos University to develop the Oman Space Engineering Laboratory. This is an important national project for developing domestic capability and building space skills for the Omani population. Oman has many excellent universities producing graduates in relevant science subjects,' Dr Al Shueili added in an interview featured in SpaceTech Gulf. The official also shared that the programme is working closely with academic establishments and the private sector to explore opportunities for incorporating space education into existing courses. 'The National Programme is working with private companies and universities to understand how we can further integrate space specific elements into existing courses such as engineers, data science, and GIS,' he added. Capacity building has been identified as a key pillar of the Oman Space Policy and Executive Programme, a 10-year framework aimed at positioning Oman as a regional and global hub for space applications. The policy outlines a national strategy to upskill graduates, embed space content into academic programmes, and strengthen academia-industry cooperation. It also encourages the creation of mentorship, business coaching, and technical training opportunities that reflect real market demand. Last September, the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology unveiled a tender for the development of a space accelerator programme which aims to support entrepreneurs and local startups in the sector by providing resources, funding and guidance to help them expand and bring innovative products to the local and global markets. According to the ministry, the programme will focus on various activities in the space sector including communications, earth observation, geospatial analytics, drones, artificial intelligence and machine learning, big data processing, data storage and preservation, space sustainability and spacecraft simulation.


Observer
2 days ago
- Observer
Pact signed to turn oilfield waste into clean energy
MUSCAT, JUNE 3 Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) has signed a pioneering research agreement with ARA Petroleum to explore innovative ways of converting produced brine—a waste byproduct from oil and gas operations—into sustainable energy resources such as biohydrogen and biochar. The agreement was signed at the University's Cultural Centre by Professor Amer bin Saif al Hinai, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Postgraduate Studies and Research at SQU, and Dr Omar bin Salim al Jaaidi, Vice President of ARA Petroleum. The project will be fully funded by ARA Petroleum and supported with its technical expertise, bringing together academic research and industrial know-how to support Oman's sustainability goals. In an interview with the Observer, Dr Saleh al Saadi, Director of the Sustainable Energy Research Centre at SQU, said the collaboration reflects the University's core mission to advance technologies that address real-world challenges. 'This partnership aligns directly with SQU's vision of advancing sustainable technologies by addressing real industrial challenges through research,' Dr Al Saadi said. 'By converting produced water into biohydrogen and biochar, the project supports Oman's Vision 2040 and Net-Zero 2050 goals. It contributes to renewable energy development, water reuse, and environmental protection, while building local research capacity.' Produced brine, typically high in salinity and contaminants, is one of the oil sector's most complex waste streams. Dr Al Saadi's research team aims to overcome technical barriers such as low hydrogen yields and inefficiencies in the conversion process. 'We are tackling major challenges like the high salinity and toxicity of produced water,' he explained. 'Our team is developing an optimised two-stage fermentation system to increase hydrogen output, using biochar to enhance gas quality. In addition, we plan to incorporate AI modelling to improve process efficiency and ensure the project's economic viability. The aim is to transform waste into clean energy and agricultural inputs.' The collaboration is also notable for integrating public, private, and academic stakeholders. It has received strong backing from the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation, with its Ejaad platform playing a vital role in linking academia with industry. 'This collaboration unites academia (SQU), industry (ARA), and government (Ejaad) to address national priorities,' said Dr Al Saadi. 'It shows how joint innovation can drive Oman's transition to a knowledge-based and sustainable economy. It not only enables the development of real-world solutions, but also builds national expertise and accelerates the commercialisation of green technologies.' Dr Omar bin Salim al Jaaidi remarked, 'This collaboration underscores the strength of local expertise and the potential of Oman's young generation. By working with Sultan Qaboos University, we are not only developing sustainable energy solutions, but also empowering the next generation of innovators and researchers to lead efforts to address global environmental challenges.' As the world moves towards more circular and sustainable energy practices, this initiative places Oman at the forefront of research-driven solutions for resource recovery and decarbonisation in the hydrocarbon sector.


Observer
2 days ago
- Observer
Insights for developing sustainable data centres in Oman
As artificial intelligence becomes central to modern economies, the global surge in high-performance data centres is driving significant increases in electricity consumption and carbon emissions. These digital facilities underpin technological progress but are among the fastest-growing energy consumers globally. With data centres accounting for 2 to 3% of global electricity use, and this figure is expected to climb with the expansion of AI applications, digital twins, and large language models, the need for sustainable infrastructure is more urgent than ever. Oman, with its strategic location in the GCC and abundant renewable energy potential, is well-placed to lead this sustainable digital revolution. Oman Vision 2040 outlines Oman's road map toward a diversified and knowledge-based economy. With vast potential in renewable energy, particularly solar and wind, combined with its advancing hydrogen economy, CCUS (carbon capture, utilisation, and storage) initiatives, and LNG infrastructure, Oman can become a leader in sustainable digital transformation. The country can capitalise on its clean energy ecosystem to host AI infrastructure that is not only energy-efficient but also climate-aligned. Recent efforts by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MoTCIT), including the establishment of the National Centre for Space, Advanced Technologies, and Artificial Intelligence, reflect a growing commitment to integrate AI across key sectors. Energy is a priority, and integrating AI with energy systems will be essential to ensure efficient, resilient, and scalable data infrastructure. In particular, AI-optimised energy management systems and predictive cooling models can minimise operational costs and reduce carbon emissions. From a technical standpoint, Oman must invest in sustainable thermal management technologies suitable for its arid climate. Innovations such as liquid immersion cooling, thermal energy storage systems, and advanced hybrid air-liquid systems should be piloted. These technologies not only reduce energy consumption but also enhance system reliability under high ambient temperatures. Coupling these with renewable-powered microgrids and smart grid integration can improve grid stability and reduce dependency on fossil fuels. Additionally, research into AI-enabled fault prediction, load balancing, and real-time optimisation of cooling and power systems is crucial for operational efficiency. Strategically, a national R&D lab hosted at Sultan Qaboos University, supported by MoTCIT, industrial zones like Sohar and Duqm, and international technology partners, could serve as a testbed for future-ready data centre solutions. Such a lab would facilitate applied research, prototype demonstration, and the development of localised cooling and hydrogen-based power systems. This initiative would enhance in-country value (ICV), promote workforce development, and support capacity building in AI-energy convergence. Oman must view sustainable data centres as essential to its digital future and climate leadership. Beyond meeting regional digital demand, these centres can become engines for innovation, clean technology commercialisation, and economic diversification. By investing in targeted R&D, smart infrastructure, and public-private collaborations, Oman can position itself as a regional hub for clean energy-powered digital ecosystems aligned with Oman Vision 2040 and global net-zero targets.