
IMCO launches new MSc programme
Suhar – The International Maritime College Oman (IMCO) marked a significant academic milestone with the official launch of its Master of Science (MSc) in Process Plant Technology and Management. Held at the Crowne Plaza Ballroom in Suhar City, the ceremony attracted a distinguished audience of industry leaders, senior academics, alumni and prospective students, all united in a shared vision of advancing engineering leadership in line with Oman's Vision 2040.
Aligning academia with industry needs
The launch event, brought together industry experts, academics, alumni, and students. The ceremony opened with a recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by a welcome address from Capt. P. Rajkumar, IMCO Dean, who stressed the need for academic programmes that reflect real-world industry demands.
Dr Salim al Araimi, Deputy Vice Chancellor, highlighted IMCO's role in fostering innovation and supporting Oman Vision 2040. Keynote speaker Faiz al Jabri of OQ addressed the future of Oman's process industry, calling for skilled engineers who can lead transformation. Dr Jimoh K. Adewole, Head of Process Engineering, detailed the MSc programme's practical and flexible design, tailored for working professionals. It covers advanced process engineering, digitalisation, safety, risk management, and sustainability. Alumna Eng. Azza al Subhi shared her success story, while Prof. Ramachandran K. P. underlined the importance of graduate education in building national capacity.
The launch concluded with a networking session, reinforcing links between academia, industry, and future postgraduates seeking to enhance their careers while contributing to Oman's industrial advancement.
Hashtags

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


Observer
13 hours ago
- Observer
How Oman is embracing agrivoltaics for a sustainable future
Beneath the bright Omani sun, a quiet transformation is taking root. Fields that once lay exposed to the harsh desert heat may soon be shaded by rows of solar panels - not as a replacement for agriculture, but as its ally. This is agrivoltaics: a forward-thinking approach where farming and solar energy generation go hand in hand, promising a new model of land use for arid regions like Oman. Agrivoltaics - the practice of combining solar panels with agriculture on the same land - was first proposed in 1981 by German physicist Adolf Goetzberger as a solution to the competing demands for land, food, and energy (AgTech Digest, 2024). By shading crops and reducing water loss while generating electricity, agrivoltaics is particularly suited to arid, sunny regions like Oman. Globally, the market is expanding rapidly: Global Market Insights (2024) valued the agrivoltaics sector at $6.3 billion, forecasting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.6% through 2034. A UK-based study by the University of Sheffield (2024) further highlighted that deploying agrivoltaics on 20,272 km² of high-grade farmland could generate around 338 terawatt-hours of electricity annually, while maintaining agricultural output - a model with clear potential for countries seeking sustainable land use. For Oman, where Vision 2040 prioritises both sustainable agriculture and renewable energy, agrivoltaics offers an opportunity to make its land work smarter: producing food, conserving water, and harvesting energy from the sun. The concept is simple but powerful. By combining agriculture with solar installations, land can serve two purposes at once; growing crops while generating clean electricity. The panels provide shade that reduces evaporation and heat stress for plants, while the ground below helps cool the panels, improving their efficiency. It's an elegant solution to some of the most pressing challenges facing Oman today: water scarcity, food security, and the urgent need to expand renewable energy. Earlier this year, Oman announced plans for its first large-scale agrivoltaics project: a 300-acre agri-solar park backed by an investment of over RO 61 million. Singapore's V-Plus Agritech will contribute advanced technologies, including vertical aquaponics and circular farming systems. The project supports Oman's Vision 2040, which calls for economic diversification and greater sustainability across all sectors. Few countries are better suited to agrivoltaics than Oman. The Sultanate enjoys year-round sunshine — an abundant natural resource that remains underutilized. At the same time, water is precious, and conventional agriculture faces rising challenges due to climate change. In this context, the ability to grow food while producing clean power and conserving water represents a major opportunity. The country's recent momentum in solar energy supports this path. By the end of 2025, Oman's small and mid-scale solar capacity is expected to reach about 130 MW, and the launch of giga-scale solar projects signals growing ambition. Integrating agrivoltaics into this mix could multiply the benefits, generating local jobs, enhancing food resilience, and positioning Oman as a regional leader in sustainable land use. For Oman, agrivoltaics is more than a technological innovation — it's part of a broader journey toward a balanced, sustainable future where land works harder and smarter for the people who depend on it. If successful, the first projects could pave the way for more; transforming the landscape of farming, energy, and opportunity in the years to come.


Observer
13 hours ago
- Observer
Oman's creative economy: A path to diversification
Oman's strategic development of its non-oil sectors, particularly the creative industry, mirrors a wider Middle Eastern trend of leveraging the creative economy for growth. This industry, which relies on creativity and intellectual capital, includes key sub-sectors such as film, fashion, visual arts, music, digital media, and architecture. Digital technologies play a vital role in modernising creative practices and preserving cultural heritage. With its Vision 2040 agenda, Oman is at a pivotal point, and the creative industry offers significant potential for sustainable growth beyond the traditional oil sector. The global creative industry has become a true economic powerhouse, contributing over 6% to the world economy with a value exceeding $2.25 trillion annually. This dynamic sector fuels innovation and provides livelihoods for more than 30 million professionals worldwide. Within the Middle East, the UAE has established itself as a regional leader, with Dubai's cultural and creative industries alone contributing 4.6% to its GDP in 2022, generating approximately US$5.98 billion in added value and attracting substantial foreign direct investment. This regional success story illuminates the path forward for Oman. By developing a vibrant creative ecosystem that leverages its rich cultural heritage and strategic geographic position, the Sultanate can unlock substantial economic value while preserving and promoting its distinctive cultural identity on the global stage. Oman has taken significant steps in this direction with the launch of the Oman Creative Industries Roadmap—the first research-based guideline for the sector in the Sultanate. Initial findings reveal promising activity across multiple creative domains, with performing arts representing the largest sector (12%), followed by digital arts (9.6%). The Creative Software market is projected to reach US$1.85 million by 2025, while the Music Events market is expected to generate US$2.93 million in revenue by 2024. The ambitious Vision 2040 target to increase the digital economy's contribution from approximately 2% to 10% by 2040 underscores the strategic importance of creative industries to Oman's future prosperity. This forward-looking approach positions Oman to capitalize on global digital transformation trends and create new revenue streams that complement its traditional economic sectors. Oman's creative sector draws strength from its authentic cultural heritage that spans centuries, providing rich content and inspiration for contemporary creative expression. The increasing government support for economic diversification has created a favorable environment for creative entrepreneurship, while growing interest from the younger generation ensures a pipeline of fresh talent and innovative ideas. With its Vision 2040 agenda, Oman is at a pivotal point, and the creative industry offers significant potential for sustainable growth beyond the traditional oil sector. The global appetite for authentic Middle Eastern cultural experiences presents tremendous export possibilities for Omani creative products and services. Cultural tourism stands as a particularly promising growth area, creating demand for local creative offerings while showcasing Oman's heritage to international visitors. The rapidly expanding digital landscape offers substantial potential for growth in digital arts, gaming, and eSports—sectors that align perfectly with the preferences and skills of Oman's youth population. The job creation potential of a thriving creative economy cannot be overstated. Looking at Dubai's example, where creative industries employ over 175,727 individuals across 47,500 companies, we can envision similar growth for Oman as its creative sector develops. These jobs span a wide spectrum of skills and education levels, providing opportunities for diverse segments of Omani society. Particularly encouraging is the creative industry's proven ability to engage young people, offering meaningful employment for the next generation of Omani talent. The planned establishment of a cutting-edge 'Film City' with multi-million investment demonstrates the government's commitment to developing specific creative sub-sectors with high growth potential. Such strategic initiatives create direct employment and generate extensive spillover benefits across the economy. The ongoing development of the Oman Cultural Complex represents another significant investment in the infrastructure needed to nurture creative talent and showcase Omani creativity to the world. To fully realize this potential, Oman can implement several strategic initiatives: enhancing the policy framework through a comprehensive national strategy, increasing funding access for creative ventures through dedicated programs, developing talent by integrating creative arts into education, investing in both physical and digital infrastructure, and strategically promoting Omani creative offerings globally. The integration of digital technologies with traditional creative practices offers particularly exciting possibilities. From virtual reality experiences showcasing Oman's heritage sites to blockchain-enabled platforms for Omani artists to monetize their work globally, technology can amplify the reach and impact of Omani creativity. The intersection of creativity and technology also creates opportunities for innovation that may generate entirely new industries and export categories. Vision 2040's emphasis on building a "Society with Creative Humans" and fostering an "Economy with a Competitive Structure" provides the perfect framework for this development. By focusing on niche cultural areas, building a robust digital creative ecosystem, promoting cultural tourism, fostering creative entrepreneurship, and developing creative clusters, Oman can transform its creative sector into a powerful engine for economic growth, job creation, and cultural diplomacy in the global marketplace.


Muscat Daily
19 hours ago
- Muscat Daily
Novel Muscat International Signs 15-Year Agreement to Develop Oman's National Port Community System
Muscat – Novel Muscat International has signed a 15-year concession agreement with the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology in the Sultanate of Oman to implement and operate the National Port Community System (NPCS). This landmark project will streamline logistics and trade operations across all ports, airports, free zones, and border crossings in Oman, aligning closely with His Majesty the Sultan's Vision 2040. The system aims to enhance efficiency, transparency, and integration within the national logistics ecosystem. Implementation will begin immediately, with a phased rollout across Oman's major trade gateways. Novel Muscat International reiterates its commitment to driving innovation and operational excellence in support of Oman's long-term development goals. As a leading investment company and provider of advanced logistics and technology solutions, Novel Muscat International is dedicated to transforming trade and transport ecosystems through cutting-edge digital platforms.