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Muscat Daily
18-05-2025
- Muscat Daily
Manah hosts global museum conference to boost Oman tourism
Manah – The Oman Across Ages Museum, in collaboration with the National Records and Archives Authority (NRAA) and the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, inaugurated the international conference 'Museums and Their Role in Tourism Development' on Sunday at its premises in Manah, Dakhliyah. Held under the patronage of H E Salim bin Mohammed al Mahrouqi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism, the three-day conference has brought together over 42 researchers, academics, and experts from 21 countries. The event aims to highlight the role of museums in driving tourism, preserving cultural identity, and fostering investment in the cultural economy. It also seeks to explore how academic partnerships and digital technologies can enhance the visitor experience and position museums as vibrant educational and cultural hubs. Dr Hamad bin Mohammed al Dhuyani, Chairman of NRAA, said the conference aims to establish strategic partnerships between public and private institutions in Oman's museum sector. 'This event promotes international collaboration through peer-reviewed scientific papers and paves the way for future conferences that will highlight integrated work across the cultural, scientific, and intellectual domains,' he said. An exhibition showcasing the role of Omani museum institutions is also being held alongside the conference. Eng Al Yaqzan bin Abdullah al Harthy, Director General of the Oman Across Ages Museum, noted that museums today are key players in sustainable development. 'They serve as mirrors of national identity, promote intercultural dialogue, and contribute significantly to the creative economy by making history an immersive and interactive experience,' he said. The conference features six specialised workshops covering critical topics, including digital technologies, museum management, community engagement, and the development of cultural content. These sessions aim to facilitate both intellectual exchange and practical learning. The agenda addresses several key themes, including the role of museums in tourism, the impact of archaeological missions, legislation protecting national heritage, and the involvement of international organisations. Discussions will also focus on how museums contribute to economic growth, resource management, tourism promotion, and sustainable investment. Additionally, the conference will explore the cultural and educational functions of museums, their collaboration with educational institutions and support for scientific research.


Muscat Daily
05-05-2025
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Global meet on museums, tourism on May 18 in Manah
Manah – Oman Across Ages Museum will host an international conference titled 'Museums and their Role in Tourism Development' in collaboration with National Records and Archives Authority and Ministry of Heritage and Tourism from May 18 to 20. The three-day event will bring together over 40 researchers, academics and museum experts from 21 countries, along with key stakeholders in the heritage and tourism sectors from within and outside the sultanate. The conference will feature 42 scientific papers covering a range of topics, including the role of museums and heritage institutions in boosting tourism and preserving cultural identity, the contribution of museum tourism to the cultural economy and investment opportunities in the sector. Presentations will explore the educational and academic potential of museums, with a focus on partnerships and integration of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and virtual reality to enhance visitor experiences. Al Yaqzan bin Abdullah al Harthy, Director General of Oman Across Ages Museum In addition to the main sessions, the conference will include three specialised workshops and an exhibition showcasing the participation of government and private entities, alongside researchers and academics. The exhibition aims to highlight the economic and cultural significance of museums and their growing role in society and tourism development. Al Yaqzan bin Abdullah al Harthy, Director General of Oman Across Ages Museum and General Supervisor of the conference, said the event aims to serve as a global platform for the exchange of expertise and best practices in the field of museums. He emphasised the growing importance of Omani museums as knowledge hubs that contribute to diversifying the national economy through cultural tourism. Dr Mohammed al Balushi, Chairman of the conference's Scientific Committee, said it received more than 300 research abstracts from 21 countries, of which 42 were selected based on academic quality and diversity. He added that a number of scientific posters will also be displayed at the conference, offering further opportunities for knowledge exchange and showcasing innovative research in museum development and tourism.


Times of Oman
05-05-2025
- Times of Oman
Oman Across Ages Museum to organise international conference on 18 May
Manah — The international conference 'Museums and Their Role in Tourism Development" will take place from May 18 to 20 at Oman Across Ages Museum in the Wilayat of Manah, the Governorate of A'Dakhiliyah. Organized in collaboration with the National Records and Archives Authority and the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, the event will feature over 42 researchers, academics, and experts from 21 countries, along with heritage and tourism professionals from within and outside the Sultanate of Oman. The three-day conference will present 42 diverse research papers by museum specialists, academics, and researchers, addressing multiple themes. These include the role of museums and heritage institutions in tourism development and cultural preservation, museum tourism and the cultural economy, related investment opportunities, as well as the educational and knowledge-based functions of museums through academic partnerships. The conference will also explore the use of modern digital technologies, such as artificial intelligence and virtual reality to enhance visitor experiences. Alongside the conference, three specialized workshops and an exhibition will be held, featuring participation from government and private institutions, as well as researchers and academics, to highlight the cultural, economic, and social impact of museums. Yaqdhan Abdullah Al Harthy, Director General of Oman Across Ages Museum and General Supervisor of the conference, stated that the event serves as an international platform for exchanging expertise and best practices in the museum sector. He emphasized that Omani museums are expected to become beacons of knowledge, contributing to national economic diversification through cultural tourism. On his turn, Dr. Mohammed Al Balushi, Head of the Conference's Scientific Committee, noted that the committee received over 300 research abstracts from 21 countries, with 42 papers selected based on quality and diversity criteria. He added that the conference will also feature scientific posters displayed alongside the sessions, providing a broader space for knowledge exchange and showcasing innovative research projects in museums and tourism.


Observer
17-04-2025
- Business
- Observer
Satellite tech powers smart governance in Al Sharqiyah S
MUSCAT: In a bold stride towards digital transformation, Al Sharqiyah South Governorate has unveiled its innovative Satellite Imagery Project - an initiative that aims to revolutionise local governance through the integration of cutting-edge space technologies. The project was spotlighted during a joint coordination meeting involving the National Records and Archives Authority (NRAA) and the private company responsible for its implementation. The gathering served as a strategic platform to discuss how satellite-based tools can be effectively leveraged to improve service delivery, drive data-informed decision-making and upgrade digital infrastructure within government institutions. Leading officials from the governorate, including the digital transformation team and the project manager, shared detailed insights into the project's development journey. They highlighted key milestones, technological breakthroughs and the challenges overcome during the execution phase. At the heart of the initiative lies the development of a dynamic, real-time geographic database that supports smarter urban planning, environmental monitoring and infrastructure development. 'This project marks a qualitative leap in how geographic data is managed,' a spokesperson for the governorate stated. 'We now rely on high-resolution satellite imagery that is consistently updated, allowing us to accurately monitor urban expansion and allocate resources with greater precision.' The system also contributes significantly to environmental protection efforts. By identifying erosion-prone zones and tracking the effects of urban sprawl, the project empowers authorities to act early and promote sustainable development practices across the region. Representatives from the ational Records and Archives Authority commended the initiative, describing it as a model of institutional synergy and modern governance. 'The success of digital projects depends not just on technology, but also on cross-sector coordination,' said one official. 'Al Sharqiyah South has showcased both the leadership and commitment essential for turning such an ambitious vision into reality.' Inspired by the project's success, the Authority is now exploring ways to replicate the model across other governorates, tailoring it to meet localised priorities and challenges. Officials also stressed the importance of cultivating digital literacy within public institutions to support Oman's broader national goals. The Satellite Imagery Project is closely aligned with Oman Vision 2040, which places digital transformation at the forefront of public sector modernisation and citizen-centric development. Though still in its initial stages, the project's future applications are far-reaching - ranging from food security and natural resource management to climate change tracking. Achieving this potential will require sustained investment in technical infrastructure and strengthened collaboration between the public and private sectors. Looking ahead, project leaders confirmed that the next phase will focus on integrating the satellite system with national geographic information systems (GIS), creating a unified database to support balanced development across all of Oman's governorates. As Oman embraces a new era of smart governance, Al Sharqiyah South's Satellite Imagery Project stands as a pioneering model - blending technology, foresight and innovation to build a more efficient and responsive public administration.


Observer
14-04-2025
- Science
- Observer
NRAA at Denmark varsity's conference
MUSCAT: The National Records and Archives Authority (NRAA) participated in the international conference on manuscript preservation, organised by the University of Copenhagen in the Kingdom of Denmark. The conference is considered one of the oldest and most important specialised conferences in the field of documentary heritage preservation. This marks the Authority's first participation with an academic research paper of its kind, highlighting the study of Omani manuscripts on an international academic level. Reem al Amairi, a document restoration specialist, presented a research paper titled: 'Overcoming the Challenges of Preserving Omani Documents and Manuscripts: Language, Material and Historical Context.' The paper addressed the unique characteristics of Omani manuscripts in terms of material, content and historical context. It also reviewed the main challenges associated with their preservation and the mechanisms for safeguarding them in line with the latest international standards. The paper highlighted Omani manuscripts within a specialised international academic framework, representing a significant milestone in documenting and promoting Omani heritage on the global stage. This participation comes as part of the Authority's ongoing efforts to enhance Oman's presence in international scientific forums and to affirm the importance of Omani manuscripts as a fundamental pillar of national identity and a vital component of global cultural memory. Through this international representation, the Authority reaffirms its continued commitment to preserving Oman's documentary heritage through restoration programmes, digitisation, scientific research, and collaboration with specialised international institutions.