Oman’s Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation and the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (Madayn) signed a cooperation programme to boost cooperation in various fields that serve education, scientific research and innovation. 

 

The agreement, which comes in line with the significance of establishing robust partnership and integration between various bodies, was signed by Dr Rahma bint Ibrahim Al Mahrouqiyah, Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, and Hilal bin Hamad Al Hasani, Chief Executive Officer of Madayn. 

 

According to a statement by Madayn, the cooperation programme aims at developing joint plans to link the outputs of higher education institutions with the investing companies in the industrial cities of Madayn. This shall strengthen integration between the current and future development plans of the industrial cities and the fields of higher education, scientific research and innovation. The cooperation programme will also play a role in developing the curricula of higher education institutions regarding the various specialisations that are linked with the industrial needs of the sector and the companies in the industrial cities. As per the agreement, Madayn will provide training opportunities at the industrial cities for the undergraduates, and vocational colleges’ students. 

 

The cooperation programme also aspires to enhance the exchange of consultations and expertise to support the development of scientific research and innovation in the industrial fields, and adopt the results and outputs of innovative and viable research and project ideas and transform them into investment projects and opportunities according to mechanisms agreed upon by the related parties. 

Additionally, the programme will encourage the investing companies in the industrial cities to offer scholarships for higher education studies, in order to meet the employment requirements in the companies, sectors and industrial cities that fall under the umbrella of Madayn. Moreover, an electronic interactive platform will be formed with the participation of the relevant parties to exchange data and information related to the implementation of this programme.

 

Nizwa Industrial City

Following the signing of the cooperation programme,  Dr Al Mahrouqiyah toured Nizwa Industrial City, which pertains to Madayn, in the presence of Dr Muna bint Salim Al Jardaniyah, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation for Vocational Training, Dr Bakhait bin Ahmed Al Mahri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation for Higher Education, Dr Saif bin Abdullah Al Haddabi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation for Research and Innovation, and Hilal bin Hamad Al Hasani, CEO of Madayn. The series of visits to Madayn’s various industrial cities aim at exploring cooperation opportunities in scientific research, innovation, and technical and vocational training in the industrial cities.

 

During the visit, Eng. Saleh bin Salman Al Abri, Director General of Nizwa Industrial City informed that the total investment volume of Nizwa Industrial City has exceeded RO 369 million during the first half of 2020, marking a growth rate of 1.13% compared to the same period in 2019. The number of workforce in the industrial city has reached 6,100 and the total area of the industrial city has surpassed 3 million sq m. The number of projects in Nizwa has reached 150 by the end of the first half of the current year, of which 128 are operating, 10 are under construction and 12 projects have been allotted with space. 

 

Al Abri elaborated that Madayn is currently working on implementing several projects at Nizwa Industrial City, which include expansion of phases 3 and 4 on an area of one million sq m, and implementing a second entrance to the industrial city. Furthermore, a number of investment opportunities were announced recently in Nizwa Industrial City, specifically those related to commercial services and the residential city.

 

During her visit to Nizwa Industrial City, Dr Al Mahrouqiyah visited Al Anwar Ceramic Tiles, Sledgehammer Gulf, and Gulf Energy.-–TradeArabia News Service