NCSI signs memorandum of cooperation in fields of training and research
Muscat: The National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) signed a memorandum of cooperation (MoC) with the Modern College of Business and Science (MCBS) in Muscat on Thursday. The MoC seeks to develop academic training and scholarly research.
Under the terms of the memorandum, the two sides will cooperate to enhance practical training opportunities for college students, provide academic services that meet the needs of both parties and implement studies and research projects.
The MoC also aims to expand the use of smart solutions in statistical and information technologies and develop training programmes to hone the skills of national human resources.
The MoC was signed by Dr. Khalifa Abdullah Al Barwani, CEO of the NCSI, and Dr. Muneer Mohammed Al Maskari, CEO of the MCBS.
Al Barwani said that MoC affirms the two sides' commitment to establish a practical environment for innovation and research in the Sultanate of Oman. He added that partnership with the MCBS constitutes a milestone in grooming a generation of national cadres capable of effectively contributing to building an integrated knowledge system that supports the process of decision-making based on reliable data.
Al Barwani pointed out that the MoC also enhances efforts to develop statistical work in the Sultanate of Oman by sharing expertise and resources. He observed that scholarly research represents a fundamental pillar of economic and social growth and a key measure in achieving sustainable development.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Times of Oman
4 hours ago
- Times of Oman
Know Oman: Can employers deny requests to combine holidays with annual leave?
Muscat: Employees often seek to combine official holidays with their annual leave, but whether employers can approve or deny such request based on applicable laws and workplace policies. Speaking exclusively to the Times of Oman, a representative of Muhammad Ibrahim Law Firm, a leading law office in Oman, explained that, as per Article 78, 'workers are entitled to 30 days of annual leave per year'. However, the scheduling of such leave must consider the 'interest of work', a standard that gives employers discretion in approving or rejecting the timing of leave. While the law does not expressly prohibit combining holidays with annual leave, it clearly distinguishes between the two. Article 79 guarantees paid official holidays as separate entitlements, and Article 78 requires that annual leave be scheduled through mutual agreement with the employer, said Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Al Zadjali, Chairman Mohammed Ibrahim Law Firm. Employers retain the authority to deny employee's requests to combine official holidays with annual leave, provided such decisions align with operational needs. This legal distinction implies that combining these two types of leave is not a right, unless explicitly permitted, the chairman said. Another spokesperson of the law firm added that, 'Article 81 allows employers to divide annual leave into segments and to postpone it for up to 06 months based on business needs. Employers may lawfully reject leave combinations if such requests would disrupt operations, staffing, or continuity especially in critical roles.' Article 3 reinforces the principle that employers must uphold minimum statutory rights but are not obligated to enhance terms unless mutually agreed. If employment contracts or internal policies do not permit the combining of holidays and annual leave, employers have no legal duty to approve such requests, the spokesperson said. Combining holidays with annual leave is not legally forbidden, but it is subject to employer's approval, operational demands, and the terms of employment contracts or internal policy. Employers are encouraged to maintain clear leave policies and communicate expectations transparently to avoid conflicts and ensure lawful and fair practices, the expert said. (Mohammed Ibrahim Law Firm (Mohammed Ibrahim Law Firm ([email protected]), (+968 244 87 600) was established 18 years ago and is serving clients through its offices in Muscat and Sohar, as well as operating on a request basis in other areas. It offers legal representation across a wide range of practice areas that include Labour Law, Corporate, Commercial, Contracts, Banking and Finance, International Trade, Foreign Investment, Insurance, Maritime Law, Construction and Engineering Contracts, International Arbitration, Intellectual Property and more).
Times of Oman
4 hours ago
- Times of Oman
Oman CX Forum & Awards 2025: Highlights Oman's Commitment to Customer Experience Excellence
Oman's growing focus on customer-centric business practices came into focus at the Oman CX Forum & Awards 2025, held on May 28 at the St. Regis Al Mouj Muscat Resort. The prestigious event, presented by Infoline and organised by Muscat Media Group — publishers of Times of Oman and Shabiba — in collaboration with Gulf Leaders Circle, brought together more than 250 business leaders, C-level executives and customer experience (CX) professionals from across Oman and beyond. His Highness Mohammed Bin Salim Al Said graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. In his welcome address, Fadi Kattar, COO of Muscat Media Group, emphasised the uniqueness of the event, stating, 'The Oman CX Forum 2025 — the first of its kind in Oman — has brought together CX experts from Oman, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, India and the USA to share insights, spark innovation and elevate standards, and explore how digital transformation, service design and empathy can unlock more inclusive and impactful experiences for everyone we serve.' Backed by key partners such as Tadoom (Strategic Partner), Bahwan Cybertek (Digital Transformation Partner), and Jindal Steel Sohar (Support Partner), the forum explored how businesses in Oman can transform and enhance their CX strategies in an increasingly digital and competitive landscape. The event featured participation from over 80 companies across diverse sectors including banking, insurance, retail, telecom, automotive, utilities, FMCG, consumer electronics, food & beverages, tourism, manufacturing and real estate, etc. The Forum offered deep insights through a series of powerful presentations by CX thought leaders. Muadh Al Omairi, Vice President – Commercial at Infoline, spoke on the topic: 'The New Currency of Business'. Dr. Hazem El Nadi, Senior Vice President - Business Development – MENA at COPC, delivered a compelling session on 'The Silent Advantage: How Proactive CX Service Journeys Beat Reactive Support.' This theme was echoed by Dr. Emmanuel Manyonganise, Head of Customer Experience & Digital Transformation at Bank Albilad, who spoke on the topic: 'The Evolution of CX towards Hyper-Personalisation and the Use of AI in CX'. Navin Prasad Durgaprasad, Executive Vice President and Global Head of Experience at Bahwan CyberTek, delivered an insightful session titled 'Spirit of the Moment – A CX Meets AI Story'. Alex Rodriguez, Creative Director & Head of AI Creative Content at Saatchi & Saatchi, UAE, explored the future of brand engagement in his talk on 'The Future of Creative Content: How AI is Redefining Brand-Customer Relationships.' Other notable speakers included Tanmay Sahoo, President & IMEA Area Leader at Novulis, who discussed 'Future-Proofing CX with AI-Enabled Business Apps,' and Nour Taher, Co-Founder & CEO of Intella, who addressed the blending of emotional intelligence and automation in her presentation on 'Humanizing Automation.' A panel discussion on the topic 'Beyond Expectations: Designing CX Strategies for a Digital-First World' brought together key industry experts including Muadh Al Omairi, Infoline; Vanessa Humphrey, VP Strategy & Partnerships, Tadoom; Hawra Fida, Head of Customer Experience, Al Mouj Muscat; Dr. Hazem El Nadi, COPC; Ammar Askari, Head of Customer Experience, Bank Dhofar; and Eng. Asim Al Zadjali, Business Consultant. The moderation was done by Ahmed Khalifa, Head of Customer Experience, Oman Data Park. The event culminated in the Oman CX Awards 2025, which honoured top brands in over 25 categories based on nationwide consumer voting. Winners received the Times of Oman Best Brand in Customer Experience Award. In addition, nine exceptional organisations and professionals were felicitated for their role in advancing CX innovation in the Sultanate. The Oman CX Forum & Awards 2025 marked a significant step in the nation's journey towards a more service-focused, experience-driven business environment, setting the tone for future advancements in customer experience excellence.
Times of Oman
4 hours ago
- Times of Oman
Know Oman: Can employers deny requests to combine holidays with annual aeave?
Muscat: Employees often seek to combine official holidays with their annual leave, but whether employers can approve or deny such request based on applicable laws and workplace policies. Speaking exclusively to the Times of Oman, a representative of Muhammad Ibrahim Law Firm, a leading law office in Oman, explained that, as per Article 78, 'workers are entitled to 30 days of annual leave per year'. However, the scheduling of such leave must consider the 'interest of work', a standard that gives employers discretion in approving or rejecting the timing of leave. While the law does not expressly prohibit combining holidays with annual leave, it clearly distinguishes between the two. Article 79 guarantees paid official holidays as separate entitlements, and Article 78 requires that annual leave be scheduled through mutual agreement with the employer, said Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Al Zadjali, Chairman Mohammed Ibrahim Law Firm. Employers retain the authority to deny employee's requests to combine official holidays with annual leave, provided such decisions align with operational needs. This legal distinction implies that combining these two types of leave is not a right, unless explicitly permitted, the chairman said. Another spokesperson of the law firm added that, 'Article 81 allows employers to divide annual leave into segments and to postpone it for up to 06 months based on business needs. Employers may lawfully reject leave combinations if such requests would disrupt operations, staffing, or continuity especially in critical roles.' Article 3 reinforces the principle that employers must uphold minimum statutory rights but are not obligated to enhance terms unless mutually agreed. If employment contracts or internal policies do not permit the combining of holidays and annual leave, employers have no legal duty to approve such requests, the spokesperson said. Combining holidays with annual leave is not legally forbidden, but it is subject to employer's approval, operational demands, and the terms of employment contracts or internal policy. Employers are encouraged to maintain clear leave policies and communicate expectations transparently to avoid conflicts and ensure lawful and fair practices, the expert said. (Mohammed Ibrahim Law Firm (Mohammed Ibrahim Law Firm ([email protected]), (+968 244 87 600) was established 18 years ago and is serving clients through its offices in Muscat and Sohar, as well as operating on a request basis in other areas. It offers legal representation across a wide range of practice areas that include Labour Law, Corporate, Commercial, Contracts, Banking and Finance, International Trade, Foreign Investment, Insurance, Maritime Law, Construction and Engineering Contracts, International Arbitration, Intellectual Property and more).
