Latest news with #RahmaIbrahimAlMahrouqi
Times of Oman
01-05-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Research conference discusses role of AI in realising digital transition across various sectors
Muscat: The Students Research Conference on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Cybersecurity was held on Thursday at the Middle East College in Muscat. The 7th edition of the conference discussed the role of AI in promoting transition across various sectors and underscored the importance of involving youth in shaping the digital future. It was held under the auspices of Dr. Rahma Ibrahim Al Mahrouqi, Minister of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation. The conference seeks to promote scholarly research and innovation and link educational outcomes (graduates) with labour market needs. Thursday's activities of the conference included panel discussions, parallel research presentations, skill-building workshops and a competition on AI technologies. The conference also included workshops on CV preparation, tests on cognitive ability and specialized sessions on AI applications in supply chains, education, information security, computer vision and multimedia computing. Some of the papers discussed during the conference will be selected for publication in a peer-reviewed journal, encouraging students and offering them an opportunity to present their research findings and showcase their academic achievements. The conference reflects an academic strategy aimed to pair education with the labour market, notably by providing research platforms that keep pace with modern requirements and enhance students' capacities for innovation and development.
Times of Oman
28-04-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
GCET and Curtin University Sign Strategic Academic Memorandum of Understanding
Muscat: To strengthen international academic cooperation and achieve academic excellence, and as part of the college's commitment to developing the higher education sector and exchanging successful global experiences and expertise, as well as exploring avenues for improvement and development across various fields in support of the strategic objectives of Oman Vision 2040, the Global College of Engineering and Technology (GCET) has signed an academic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Curtin University in University is one of the most prestigious academic institutions, ranked first in Australia and second globally in the field of metallurgical and mining engineering. It also holds the 174thposition worldwide according to the QS World University Rankings. The agreement was signed on Thursday, 24th April 2025, under the patronage of Her Excellency Professor Rahma Ibrahim Al Mahrouqi, Minister of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation, at the ministry's headquarters in Muscat. The signing ceremony was attended by Professor Geoffrey Elliott, Dean of GCET; Dr. Suleiman Al-Hasani, Deputy Dean for Academic Affairs and Resources at GCET; and a delegation from Curtin University led by Professor Xiaotian Zhang, Vice President for Global Affairs, accompanied by Mr. Nigel de Silva, Director of Transnational Education and Partnerships, and Professor Klaus Regenauer-Lieb, a global distinguished expert in energy and mining resources engineering. This partnership establishes a strong foundation for cooperation between the two parties in higher education, development of academic programmes and joint degree offerings, joint scientific research, faculty and student exchanges, and fostering academic integration and sustainable development in Oman and the wider region. The MoU facilitates the exchange of expertise to support GCET's aspirations and expand its academic and research presence in sectors such as energy, sustainability, digital innovation, and mining technologies. In her opening speech, Her Excellency Professor Rahma Al Mahrouqi praised the ambitious cooperation between the two institutions and emphasized the importance of strategic international partnerships in developing the higher education ecosystem in the Sultanate. She highlighted the role these collaborations play in empowering students, enhancing global education opportunities, and facilitating the exchange of expertise, talent, and best practices in the field. Professor Geoffrey Elliott, Dean of GCET, reaffirmed the college's commitment to fostering joint cooperation with institutions at local, regional, and international levels. He stressed that such efforts align with the college's continuous strategy to enhance the educational experience for its students and contribute to the development of higher education in the Sultanate. He also highlighted GCET's dedication to supporting students, especially in academic and research fields, to develop their skills, competencies, and capabilities, ensuring their readiness to compete in the job market and seize the best opportunities, ultimately contributing to building Oman's future in line with national plans and future visions. It is worth noting that GCET offers academic programmes and qualifications at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in Engineering, Computing, Urban Planning, Cybersecurity, Environmental Management, and Technology. The college is committed to delivering a high-quality educational experience in line with international standards and evolving national and regional priorities, while pursuing academic excellence, innovation, and community engagement. It also focuses on graduating highly qualified professionals equipped to meet workforce needs and achieve strategic goals.
Times of Oman
20-04-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Oman launches employers survey to align higher education with job market demands
MUSCAT: The Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation (MoHERI) on Sunday launched the Employers Survey 2025, a strategic initiative aimed at aligning higher education outcomes with the evolving needs of Oman's labour market. The survey, spearheaded by MoHERI's Department of Statistics and Information, will gather data from establishments that have employed higher education graduates between 2018 and 2025, focusing on the first six months of the current year. The primary objective of the survey is to assess the compatibility of academic qualifications with the skills and competencies required across various economic sectors. By identifying these requirements, the project seeks to inform educational policies that are responsive to market demands, thereby enhancing the employability of graduates and contributing to the nation's economic growth. Dr. Rahma Ibrahim Al Mahrouqi, Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, emphasised the significance of the survey in the context of Oman Vision 2040. She said: 'Tthe initiative represents a fundamental pillar in devising educational policies that are closely linked to labour market needs, ultimately enhancing the competitiveness of the national economy.' The launch event featured a visual presentation detailing the survey's objectives and implementation stages, underscoring the government's commitment to evidence-based policy-making. By systematically collecting and analysing data on graduate employment, the survey aims to provide actionable insights that will guide curriculum development, training programmes, and strategic planning within higher education institutions. The latest initiative reflects a proactive approach by the Omani government to address the challenges of workforce development and to ensure that the nation's educational system is aligned with its economic aspirations. Stakeholders across the education and employment sectors are encouraged to participate actively in the survey to contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the labour market dynamics.
Times of Oman
20-04-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Oman launches Employer Survey 2025
Muscat: The Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation on Sunday launched the Employers Survey 2025. The project, being implemented by the Ministry's Department of Statistics and Information, seeks to study the compatibility of higher education outcomes with the requirements of the national labour market. In particular, the project will identify the skills and competencies required in various economic sectors. The project deals with the collection of data on the first six months of the year (until 30 June) from various establishments that have employed higher education graduates between 2018 and 2025. Dr. Rahma Ibrahim Al Mahrouqi, Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, said in comments about the project that it represents a fundamental pillar in devising educational policies and linking them to labour market needs in line with the goals of Oman Vision 2040. This, she observed, will help enhance the competitiveness of the national economy. The launch ceremony included a visual presentation that outlined the project's objectives and stages of implementation.
Times of Oman
07-04-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Over 90 educational institutions participating in GHEDEX 2025
Muscat: The Global Higher Education Exhibition (GHEDEX 2025) kicked off on Monday at Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre. The exhibition aims to showcase the latest academic and educational programmes, empower the education sector by attracting local and international institutions, and support students' aspirations across various fields. This contributes to developing an integrated educational environment that keeps pace with the latest global advancements in education. With the participation of over 90 educational institutions from the Sultanate of Oman and abroad, the three-day event was held under the patronage of Dr. Rahma Ibrahim Al Mahrouqi, Minister of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation. The exhibition features a local and international universities pavilion, a technical education and vocational training pavilion (TRAINEX), as well as an Edu-X pavilion dedicated to private, international, and boarding schools, and an Edu-Tech pavilion specializing in educational technologies and resources. The event also includes the GHEDEX Conference on Educational Innovation, interactive discussions and dialogues, student projects from schools and universities, the GHEDEX Excellence Awards, and a Youth Community section. Additionally, the exhibition provides students with the opportunity to attend workshops and career guidance sessions, which helps them make informed decisions about their future academic and professional paths. On the academic front, the exhibition combines education and entertainment through events such as a robotics and drone technology section and the GHEDEX Student Talent Showcase. It is worth noting that this exhibition is organised in collaboration between the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Labour, and the Arabian Research Bureau.
