Latest news with #BPOman
Observer
5 days ago
- Business
- Observer
Najla Al Jamali appointed President BP Oman
MUSCAT: Global energy major BP has announced the appointment of Najla Zuhair al Jamali as President BP Oman. She joins BP from OQ where she served as Chief Executive, OQ Alternative Energy. Al Jamali started her global career as a reservoir engineer in Oman and brings over two decades of energy sector experience to BP. Her career spans upstream, downstream and commercial roles across companies including Shell, Schlumberger and Takamul Investment Company (as subsidiary of what was Oman Oil Company). al Jamali will be the first woman to serve in the role. Nader Zaki, BP's regional president Middle East and North Africa said: "I am very pleased to welcome Najla to our team as President of BP Oman. Her wealth of experience will greatly benefit us as we continue to support the growth of the energy sector in Oman. This is a historic milestone for BP as Najla is the first female Omani country manager for BP in the country. I would also like to thank Yousuf al Ojaili for his leadership and congratulate him on his retirement after a decade of excellence with our company and 39 years in the energy sector." Najla Zuhair al Jamali said: "I'm excited to join BP Oman working with the team to continue supply one third of Oman's gas and working with the Omani government and partners to explore potential for growing our operations in country." Najla Zuhair al Jamali will join BP in September where she will assume full roles and responsibilities after a transition period with Yousuf al Ojaili who retires at the end of 2025.
Times of Oman
29-07-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Abraj Energy Services expands strategic partnerships
Muscat: Abraj Energy Services has signed a strategic agreement with Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) to provide six onshore drilling rigs for Concession Area 6, a key strategic asset that forms a fundamental pillar of Oman's energy sector. Drilling operations are scheduled to commence gradually starting in the fourth quarter of 2026. This agreement marks a significant expansion point within the long-standing partnership between Abraj and PDO, reflecting Abraj's operational efficiency in delivering competitive, safe, reliable, and high-performance drilling solutions that align with the highest international standards. Houd Khalfan Al Barashdi, Acting Director of Business Development at Abraj Energy Services, stated that the signing of this agreement reaffirms Abraj's operational excellence and the deep trust the company has earned by providing competitive, reliable, safe, and efficient solutions and services to its partners, supported by its advanced fleet and unique technical expertise. He explained that the company is expanding its operational scope with PDO to achieve common goals, affirming its pivotal role in empowering the oil and energy sector and enhancing in-country value. In the context of its continuous expansion, Abraj recently signed an additional contract with BP Oman to provide drilling services in Concession Area 61. Furthermore, it secured a new contract with ARA Petroleum LLC to drill three wells in Concession Area 44. The company also expanded its operations in the Wafra Joint Operations field between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia by signing a contract to provide a third 3000-horsepower drilling rig. This move reflects Abraj's regional expansion strategy and strengthens its position in strategic oil and gas projects across the region. Eng. Sulaiman Abdullah Al Salmi, Team Leader of Gas Well Drilling at Petroleum Development Oman, stated that the strategic relationship with Abraj Energy Services has demonstrated its continuous commitment to PDO's operational, health, and safety standards. He noted that this agreement confirms the joint commitment of Abraj and PDO to enhance Oman's oil and energy sectors through advanced and safe solutions that contribute to achieving operational efficiency and sustainability. Since 2020, Abraj has contributed over OMR850 million in in-country value, achieving an Omanisation rate of approximately 93 percent. In the past three years alone, the company's operations related to PDO have generated OMR79.1 million in local value, equivalent to 78 percent of total expenditure. These figures underscore Abraj's strong commitment to supporting national priorities and its pivotal role in the development of Oman's oil and energy sectors. It is worth mentioning that Abraj concluded 2024 with positive operational and financial results. Revenues reached OMR151.6 million, operating profit before interest, taxes, and depreciation (EBITDA) was OMR53 million, and net profit after tax was OMR16.9 million. The company also recorded exceptional occupational health and safety indicators, completing three consecutive years of incident-free and lost-time injury-free operations across all its operational units. Drilling rigs achieved high utilisation rates exceeding 86 percent, and well maintenance rigs reached 100 percent, reflecting the long-term resilience of its operations and partners' deep trust in its services.
Observer
07-07-2025
- General
- Observer
National Museum launches culture-rich programme
MUSCAT: The National Museum has launched its summer programme, 'Our Summer is Heritage & Identity," organised by the museum's Learning Center with support from BP Oman. The initiative aims to enhance participants' awareness of national identity and reinforce the values of Oman's cultural heritage. The summer programme targets three age groups, namely children (6–11 years), school students (12–16 years), and college/university students. Throughout July, it will feature a series of artistic and interactive workshops inspired by the National Museum's collections, designed to develop participants' skills and stimulate their creativity. Amina bint Abdullah al Abriyah, Head of the National Museum's Learning Center, explained that 'Our Summer is Heritage & Identity" programme is one of the centre's annual initiatives to instil national identity values and strengthen youth connections to their cultural heritage through creative and experiential methods that blend art with heritage. She noted that the National Museum is also participating in the 'Our Summer is Leadership & Creativity" programme in Al Batinah North Governorate, in collaboration with the Governor's Office, during July 6-10, 2025. The engagement includes artistic workshops organised by the Learning Center as part of its community awareness programme and children's literature reading series, covering diverse themes such as colouring, traditional architecture and Oman's maritime history. National Museum launches culture-rich programme She added that the programme seeks to solidify national identity among the younger generation through educational and artistic approaches that combine enjoyment with knowledge. These efforts align with the National Museum's mission to extend its cultural reach beyond its physical spaces and promote the values of heritage and national identity. In Al Batinah North, the summer programme will be held across several wilayats — Sohar, Liwa, Shinas, Saham, Al Khabourah, and Al Suwaiq— benefiting 240 participants. Meanwhile, the Learning Center will host the first programme at the National Museum for children aged 6–11 during July 6-10. The second and third programmes, targeting school students (12–16 years) and university students, will take place at the Learning Center's corner in Muscat Grand Mall during July 13-17 and July 20-24, respectively, with 260 beneficiaries. The National Museum's Learning Center is the first of its kind in Oman, equipped to international standards and offering diverse educational programmes to raise public awareness of Omani heritage. These include school visits, college/university programmes, family programmes, community outreach, continuous education, programmes for people with disabilities and children's literature reading sessions — all fostering deeper engagement with Oman's rich history among visitors of all ages.
Observer
29-05-2025
- Science
- Observer
Digital education... linking classrooms and technology
In recent decades, the world has witnessed a sweeping digital transformation, driven by rapid advances in modern technology - particularly in artificial intelligence and its myriad applications. This shift has fuelled a global race to invest in digital infrastructure, especially within education, learning, and scientific research. Modern technologies are now pivotal in reshaping educational knowledge, refining pedagogical skills, and redefining the philosophy of learning systems to prepare for a future deeply embedded in the digital age. Modern societies have increasingly studied the impact of digital transformation on education and how it can redefine learning environments and raise standards. The potential of the digital revolution lies in its ability to improve teaching methods and educational access while embedding learning within the broader framework of a knowledge-based society. In this light, the link between technology and education is not optional - it is a developmental necessity for nations seeking to remain relevant in a rapidly evolving world. Educational systems are the starting point for any meaningful transformation. They equip societies with the human capital needed for innovation, creativity, and progress. Smart learning environments help cultivate mental and emotional readiness, promote critical and adaptive thinking, and support self-directed learning and collaborative engagement. Governments have embraced digital learning models such as e-learning and remote education, harnessing the benefits of educational apps and platforms to maintain continuity - especially during school closures prompted by environmental or health crises. Oman has been proactive in this regard, aiming to modernise its educational system by embracing multi-modal instruction and striving toward what is now widely referred to as digital learning. The recent launch of Oman's 'Curriculum Digitisation Project' for grades 1 to 12, in partnership with BP Oman, marks a major stride in this direction. The initiative represents a significant push toward digital transformation in education, providing interactive smart environments that support remote learning, improve educational outcomes, and broaden access to knowledge. This project does more than digitise teaching materials; it establishes a virtual learning environment capable of redefining the educational process. Expanding the classroom beyond physical walls fosters independent learning, stimulates curiosity and promotes student agency. Through interactive and engaging tools, it transforms how students absorb and interact with content. Structured across six phases, the project supports knowledge transfer and cultivates future-ready skills such as creativity and critical thinking. It is not just about the content of the curriculum, but about building a digital learning culture that makes knowledge accessible, flexible, and personalised. The platform offers curriculum-aligned digital materials, educational resources, a digital repository, and activities for teachers - providing both direct and indirect access to digital learning. The project supports a blended model of teaching, combining traditional classroom approaches with digital interaction, using modern tools that align with current technological developments. This dual approach enhances the delivery of content and broadens learning opportunities. Digital content today is more than just curriculum - it includes educational platforms, interactive resources, games, and support tools. While the digitised curriculum forms a strong foundation, the system still requires expansion to incorporate wider learning tools, more diverse content, and richer student engagement. An effective digital environment depends on hyperlinked features that allow flexible navigation, real-time feedback, and immersive learning experiences. These tools reinforce curricular goals, foster creativity and innovation, and stimulate higher-order thinking. Especially for early learners, they can guide knowledge acquisition while reflecting on the values and concepts society seeks to impart. The project also lays the groundwork for future development. With the right investment, it can evolve into a fully immersive digital space that engages students across regions. To succeed, however, schools need reliable Internet infrastructure. This remains a challenge in remote areas of Oman, where weak connectivity limits the reach of digital learning tools and, by extension, the equity of access. Digital education relies on two key pillars: relevant and responsive content, and robust technical infrastructure. Success demands collaboration, integration, and support to ensure the full benefits of digitising curricula are realised. Such transformation not only serves the goals of education but also bolsters national development across all sectors. (Translated by Badr al Dhafari and the original version of this article was published in Arabic in the print edition of the Oman newspaper on May 25) Aisha al Darmaki The writer is a researcher specialising in semiotics and a member of the State Council
Observer
21-05-2025
- Business
- Observer
Digitalisation of curricula to empower teachers
The Ministry of Education, represented by the Directorate-General of Curriculum Development, and in cooperation with BP Oman, launched the Digitalisation of School Curricula Project for Grades 1–12. The event was held under the auspices of Eng Said bin Hamoud al Maawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, and was attended by Dr Madeeha bint Ahmed al Shaibaniyah, Minister of Education. In his speech, Dr Abdullah bin Khamis Ambusaidi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Education for Education, emphasised the unprecedented opportunities brought about by digital technologies to enhance the quality of education. 'Education is no longer confined within the four walls of the classroom. It has become a vast space that transcends geographic boundaries and provides both students and teachers access to rich and diverse learning resources.' He said that the project directly empowers teachers with modern educational tools to deliver content more effectively and creatively while offering students a flexible and comprehensive learning experience that aligns with their individual needs and abilities. He added by saying that the project is an integral part of a broader vision for digital transformation in education, laying the foundation for a technology-based, future-oriented learning ecosystem. Yousuf bin Mohammed al Ojaili, President of BP Oman, expressed the company's pride in partnering with the Ministry of Education, stating that the initiative aims to empower teachers and enrich students' learning experiences through greater interactivity. He emphasised that the collaboration highlights the vital role of public-private partnerships in driving innovation and leaving a sustainable impact on education in Oman. The event featured a visit to a model interactive classroom, where a group of teachers and students presented sample lessons using digital textbooks and interactive screens. A short documentary on the project's development journey was also shown, followed by the official digital book launch and the honouring of BP Oman as the project's main sponsor. The digitisation process went through several key stages, beginning with the preparatory phase, which involved defining the technical and educational specifications for the digital content. This was followed by content analysis, scenario development, and quality review. Each digital book required up to 80 hours of review, totalling more than 4,800 hours for 60 books. A trial phase was then conducted in selected schools to gather feedback and refine the content. The final stage involves publishing the digital books through the ministry's Educational Technologies Portal and later via the Noor platform's digital repository, in line with broader national digital transformation projects. Media campaigns will also accompany the rollout to raise awareness. Dr Mona al Siyabi, Head of the Technical and Scientific Team for Digitising the English Language, said: 'In line with Oman Vision 2040, we have launched the first phase of developing digital interactive books for Omani schools. This phase focuses on transforming traditional textbooks into engaging digital formats for the early grades. "These new digital books are rich with interactive features, including games, activities and videos, designed to enhance the learning experience for students and support teachers in the classroom. They also serve as a helpful resource for parents at home. We aim to expand this effort to cover grades 5 through 12 in the upcoming stages." Currently, these interactive books are being piloted in selected schools, and we are collecting feedback from teachers and students to evaluate their experience and identify areas for improvement. The ministry aims to develop and transform traditional curricula into interactive digital content within the national educational platform. The project seeks to offer a variety of digital resources for different learning styles, support distance education using information and communication technology, foster self-learning and collaborative learning and equip students with future-ready skills. Ultimately, it aims to improve the quality of education, enhance student performance and provide accessible and effective digital learning tools. The project comprises 6 phases... the preparatory phase, the analysis phase, the educational scenario preparation phase, the digital production phase, a pilot phase and the digital book propagation phase (giving access to digital content via the e-learning portal and later via the Noor system).
