News & Event

The Ministry of Education signed  a cooperation agreement with the Oman Energy Association (OPAL) in line with achieving partnership with the economic sectors in the application of vocational and technical education in the post-primary education stage. This partnership is through the offering of engineering and industrial specializations starting from the academic year (2024/2025) in specific schools in the governorates of Muscat and North Al Batinah, as part of the Ministry’s plan to implement vocational and technical education in the post-primary stage.

HE Majid bin Said Al-Bahri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education for Administrative and Financial Affairs, signed the agreement with Eng. Abdul Rahman bin Humaid Al Yahyai, CEO of the Oman Energy Association (OPAL).

In a statement, HE the Undersecretary of Administrative and Financial Affairs, said: "The signing of this agreement comes in implementation of the royal directives of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq to raise the level of quality of education in line with the requirements of the labor market and the development of practical and professional skills and capabilities of students, in order to achieve the vision of Oman 2040 and its aspirations. It also comes in the Ministry’s pursuit towards building partnerships with economic sectors, strengthening its roles in vocational and technical education through drawing up policies and directions, proposing programs and specializations, and participating in the preparation of curricula in an alignment them with national professional standards. The selection of the Oman Energy Association (OPAL) as a strategic partner representing the energy sector is due to its experience in supervising the development of human resources in the energy sector, analyzing the needs of the energy sector for cadres, developing the efficiency of human resources, enhancing quality, building professional standards, and approving training and educational programs.”

HE added: “This agreement comes as a step towards strengthening that partnership to achieve the desired objectives of vocational and technical education aimed at providing students with the professional knowledge and skills that prepare them for the labor market, or to join higher education institutions, and to prepare

capable graduates who possess the knowledge and technical skills that qualify them to contribute effectively to the sustainable development of the state.”

On their part, Eng. Abdulrahman bin Humaid Al Yahyai, CEO of the Oman Energy Society, said: “Vocational and technical education helps students acquire the practical skills and knowledge necessary to integrate into the labor market, and prepares them for fields of work that are in line with their tendencies and desires, as this type of education is an ideal alternative for these students who wish to develop their skills that qualify them for the labor market. Since the association works to develop the national occupational standards and the programs attached to it through the sectoral skills unit that the association supervises, this partnership comes with the Ministry of Education to work to ensure the quality of vocational educational programs that are compatible with professional standards approved. The Omani Energy Society appreciates the Ministry of Education's confidence in its work, and affirms its keenness to provide high-quality programs that ensure students' acquisition of theoretical and practical skills to serve the directions of economic development in the Sultanate of Oman, and achieve the provision of qualified cadres for the labor market.”