Latest news with #BasilbinAhmedalRawas


Muscat Daily
4 days ago
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Youth Centre partners with OOMCO and Nikon to empower Omani freelancers and photographers
Muscat – In a major step to empower Omani youth and enhance their skills across freelance and professional photography, the Youth Centre has signed two cooperation agreements with Oman Oil Marketing Company (OOMCO) and Nikon. The agreements were signed by His Excellency Basil bin Ahmed al Rawas, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth for Sports and Youth, on behalf of the Youth Centre. Representing OOMCO was CEO Tariq bin Mohammed Al Junaidi, while Anil Khimji, Member of the Board of Directors at Khimji Ramdas Group, signed on behalf of Nikon. The agreement with OOMCO will see the launch of the third edition of the Tamakun Self-Employment Program, which aims to empower 200 young men and women who are self-employed. Running from September to December 2025, the programme focuses on equipping youth with the skills and tools needed to transform their talents into sustainable sources of income. The second agreement, signed with Nikon, is designed to support youth in the field of professional photography. It includes the implementation of advanced training programmes and the setup of fully equipped photography and audio studios at the Youth Centre. This initiative aims to create a space for young people to develop their creative capabilities and produce high-quality artistic and visual content. Commenting on the initiative, Ishaq bin Saud Al Manji, Public Relations and Partnerships Officer at the Youth Centre, said the agreements represent the Centre's continued commitment to building strategic partnerships with both governmental and private institutions. 'These partnerships are part of our mission to provide a stimulating environment for Omani youth through quality programmes that develop skills and open pathways for future success,' he said. He noted that the Tamakun programme has already proven its effectiveness in supporting young entrepreneurs and that this third edition aims to be even more impactful. 'We are also confident that the professional training and upgraded facilities made possible through our partnership with Nikon will significantly enhance the artistic and technical skills of Omani youth,' he added. The new agreements are part of broader efforts by the Youth Centre to promote innovation, entrepreneurship, and creative expression among young Omanis, helping them to achieve their ambitions and contribute to the country's development.


Observer
25-05-2025
- Business
- Observer
MoCSY unveils key digital transformation initiatives
MUSCAT: MUSCAT: In a move aligned with Oman Vision 2040, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth (MoCSY) announced the launch of several ambitious digital transformation initiatives during a media forum held in Muscat on Sunday. The event was attended by Sayyid Said bin Sultan al Busaidy, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth for Culture; Basil bin Ahmed al Rawas, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth for Sports and Youth, and a number of senior ministry officials. LAUNCH OF 'SHABIK' PLATFORM A major highlight of the event was the official launch of the 'Shabik' mobile application, the Ministry's new e-ticketing system for cultural, sports and youth events. The platform was inaugurated by Sayyid Said bin Sultan al Busaidy and is designed to streamline ticket booking, enhance user experience, and facilitate community engagement in public events. The platform also offers the Ministry critical tools for data analysis and crowd management, contributing to smarter event planning. The initiative reflects a significant milestone in the Ministry's digital agenda and supports Oman's broader vision for digital government services. The event concluded with a workshop titled "Enhancing Readiness for Change at the Individual and Institutional Level," delivered by change management expert Hanan al Salmi LAUNCH OF OMAN'S LARGEST HACKATHON PROGRAMME Another cornerstone initiative is the launch of the largest Hackathon programme in the Gulf region, an eight-week national challenge bringing together programmers, innovators, and creatives. The goal is to develop practical digital solutions that support and advance the Ministry's work across culture, sports, and youth sectors. Sultan al Subhi, Director of the Digital Transformation Programme, affirmed that the Ministry's recent efforts to digitise and refine sector data towards applying a structured methodology based on understanding, analysis, and implementation to drive real results. During the forum, the MoCSY signed six key Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with local and international partners, including: Aman Company — to improve digital excellence indicators, Sohar International Bank — as a strategic partner for the Hackathon, Al Qala'a — for cybersecurity collaboration, Cisco — to explore advanced technology applications, Tatweer — for software and application security testing, Tanafos — for digital solution development support Capacity-Building Workshop. The event concluded with a workshop titled "Enhancing Readiness for Change at the Individual and Institutional Level," delivered by change management expert Hanan bint Hamed al Salmiyah. The session focused on the human dimension of digital transformation and stressed the importance of preparing employees for rapid shifts in technology and digital services.