Latest news with #GeneralSecondaryCertificate
Observer
04-05-2025
- General
- Observer
CEO TALK: From hands-on work to high office
MUSCAT, MAY 4 In the southern city of Salalah, long before titles and accolades, a young boy sat behind the counter of his father's shop, textbooks open, mind focused, and hands occasionally fixing bicycles. That boy — now Dr Ahmed bin Mohsin al Ghassani, Chairman of Dhofar Municipality — would rise to become one of Oman's most respected public servants. His journey, grounded in discipline and shaped by learning, is more than a success story — it is a case study in leadership, perseverance, and national vision. From an early age, Dr Al Ghassani learned the realities of responsibility. By the fourth grade, he was working after school in his family's shop — a small but formative environment. There, he developed the habits that would stay with him for life: structure, reliability, and respect for effort. By the sixth grade, he was assembling bicycles, not as a pastime but out of necessity. His evenings were devoted to studies at the shop, often until 9 pm, forming a routine of resilience that quietly defined his future. His secondary education years were a masterclass in commitment. His day began with regular school and continued with intensive sessions at the British Council and the French Institute. After dusk, he attended Quran memorisation classes until 10 pm. This intense schedule led many around him to assume he would eventually collapse from exhaustion — but instead, he rose. In his final year, he made the strategic decision to pause language studies and focus entirely on the General Secondary Certificate, securing a place on the prestigious Sultan Qaboos Scholarship Programme to study civil engineering abroad. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Sultan Qaboos University in 1993. However, academic achievement was never his endpoint — it was his platform. In 1998, he left for the UK to pursue advanced studies. He obtained a Master's degree in Structural Engineering from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST) in 1999. Determined to deepen his expertise, he continued to Loughborough University, earning a PhD in Construction Management in 2003. His doctoral research focused on the integration of knowledge management into structural design processes — a pioneering approach for its time. Returning to Oman, Dr Al Ghassani chose not to enter administrative roles immediately. He instead resumed teaching in the department he helped establish at Salalah Technical College. His belief in the power of education led him to stay close to students, listen to their challenges, and shape an academic culture rooted in openness and inclusion. Over time, he would serve in various senior academic positions, including Dean of the Higher College of Technology, and later at the College of Banking and Financial Studies, where he aligned academic offerings with real-world market needs, championed student innovation, and ensured graduates were job-ready. In 2018, Dr Al Ghassani was appointed CEO of the Public Authority for Small and Medium Enterprise Development (Riyada). It was a pivotal period — Oman was seeking new engines for economic diversification, and youth entrepreneurship was a central pillar. At Riyada, he led with clarity and decisiveness: reworking the institutional structure, introducing targeted funding and support mechanisms, and fostering a startup ecosystem driven by Omani talent. His leadership reasserted a simple truth: a single idea, when nurtured, can evolve into a national asset. In October 2019, Dr Al Ghassani was appointed Chairman of Dhofar Municipality. The transition from academic reformer to urban executive was significant, yet seamless. In Dhofar — a region of rich culture and growing infrastructure needs — he faced the challenge of balancing development with preservation. He led projects that included the revitalisation of traditional markets, the redevelopment of coastal promenades, modern flood prevention infrastructure, and enhanced wastewater systems. His administration adopted a development model that was as strategic as it was sensitive — combining modern urban planning with cultural and environmental stewardship. His leadership came into national focus in 2024, when he achieved three major distinctions: • Best Leader in Government Digital Excellence — a title awarded in the inaugural edition of Oman's national digital performance awards. • Best Digital Transformation Team — won by Dhofar Municipality under his chairmanship, recognising the integration of digital tools in public service delivery. • 'Excellent' Rating in Institutional Performance Evaluation — the highest recognition in the national governance review for that year. Yet Dr Al-Ghassani is quick to redirect praise. 'These are not individual achievements,' he often says. 'They reflect teamwork, accountability, and a shared culture of results.' Across all his roles, four core values stand out in his leadership approach:1. A relentless commitment to lifelong learning — both personal and institutional. 2. Community engagement — ensuring planning is informed by those it serves. 3. Cultural realism — blending progress with respect for heritage. 4. Results-focused governance — where policies are measured not by announcements but by public impact. Perhaps most importantly, Dr Al Ghassani has never lost sight of the next generation. In speeches and interviews, he consistently addresses young Omanis with conviction: 'Opportunities do not come by accident. They are built through intention and hard work. Every young person must believe that the country is counting on them. The future begins the moment you choose to develop yourself.' His story — from the back room of a shop to the forefront of urban transformation — is not defined by luck or shortcuts. It is a testament to structure, vision, and commitment over time. In an era that often favours visibility over value, Dr Ahmed Al-Ghassani's life is a reminder that leadership is not found in noise, but in quiet, consistent service. For young Omanis, his path is both a mirror and a map: a reflection of what is possible — and a direction toward what can still be achieved.
Saba Yemen
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Saba Yemen
Governor of Bayda inspects General Secondary certificate exams in Mukayras
Sana'a - Saba: Governor of Bayda Abdullah Idris on Wednesday inspected the progress of the General Secondary Certificate exams at the testing centers in Mukayras district. Governor Idris reviewed the progress of the exams at the Jabr Mukayras and Farhan Arib centers and heard from the Education Sector official in the district, Saeed Al-Kouri, who explained the measures taken to provide a suitable environment for students to take the exams. Governor of Bayda praised the level of discipline at the testing centers and the good organization, which reflects the commitment to providing a suitable environment for taking the exams in a stable environment. He noted the steadfastness of the education sector and its role in continuing the educational process, leading to the examination process, which is nearing completion and has achieved success thanks to everyone's efforts. Governor Idris considered the conduct of the exams a message of the Yemeni people's continued progress in the path of construction and development, despite the aggression's targeting of schools and its attempts to disrupt the educational process. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print
Saba Yemen
16-04-2025
- General
- Saba Yemen
Amran oversees exams, summer course progress in Khamer district
Amran - Saba: Amran undersecretary Mohammed al-Mutawaki on Wednesday conducted an inspection of the General Secondary Certificate exams at al-Shaheed al-Ahmar Boys' School and al-Shaima Girls' School in Khamer district. During his visit, al-Mutawakil, accompanied by director of the district Wael Abu Halfa received a briefing on the smooth progression of the exams and the measures implemented to ensure their successful administration. He also reviewed the ongoing summer course activities at various centers within Khamer district. They expressed their satisfaction with the significant level of student engagement in the religious, cultural, and sports instruction being offered. Al-Mutawakil urged those responsible for the summer courses to intensify their efforts to achieve the intended goals of the programs, which are primarily aimed at safeguarding young people from misconceptions and promoting positive development. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print
Saba Yemen
09-04-2025
- Science
- Saba Yemen
Inspecting secondary school exams, summer activities in several Sana'a directorates
Sana'a - Saba: The Undersecretaries of the Ministry of Education and Scientific Research (Hadi Ammar, Mohammed Ghallab, and Talib Dahan) conducted an inspection visit to the Hamdan District in Sana'a Governorate to monitor the progress of the General Secondary Certificate exams and summer course activities. The visit included testing centers such as Imam Ali and Al-Sadaqa, as well as summer course centers such as Al-Furqan and Al-Fath, where they were assured of the discipline of the testing process and student turnout for summer activities. The delegation was accompanied by the Director of the District, Fahd Attia, and local officials and listened to a detailed explanation of the progress of the exams and summer programs. The Undersecretaries praised the efforts and resilience of the educational staff despite the challenges resulting from the "American aggression," considering the summer courses a means of strengthening religious and national identity and confronting the "soft war." Other officials also visited testing centers and summer courses in the Al-Haymah Al-Kharijiyah and Al-Dakhiliyah districts, Bani Hashish, and Manakhah, where they reviewed the progress of work and heard reports from education officials in those areas. The visit concluded with appreciation for community and educational efforts, emphasizing the importance of supporting summer activities to strengthen youth culturally and religiously. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print more of (Local)
Saba Yemen
06-04-2025
- General
- Saba Yemen
General Secondary Certificate exams in Hodeida Governorate inspected
Hodeida - Saba: The First Deputy Governor of Al Hodeida, Ahmed Al Bishri, and the Deputy Governor of Services, Mohammed Halisi, inspected the progress of the General Secondary Certificate exams for the year 1446 AH in several centers in the districts of Al Hali, Al Mina, and Al Hawak. The two deputies listened to an explanation from the head of the examination subcommittee, Omar Bahar, and his deputy, Mahmoud Al Washali, about the arrangements made to ensure the success of the examination process in 129 centers, where 20,775 students were taking the exams. Al Bishri praised the efforts of the educational and administrative staff in organizing the exams despite the challenges, stressing the importance of concerted efforts to ensure the success of the educational process. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print
