News & Event

Under the patronage of HE Prof. Dr. Abdullah bin Khamis Ambosaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education for Education, the Ministry of Education, represented by the Directorate-General of Curriculum Development, Department of Applied Science Curriculum Development, organized a conference on Prospects for Developing Modern Science Laboratories. The conference targets (70) employees from science laboratory specialists, project and maintenance engineers, and science laboratory supervisors and technicians.

Dr. Afaf Al Lawati, Director of the Applied Science Curriculum Development Department at the Directorate-General of Curriculum Development, delivered the Ministry’s speech in which she said: “Developing science laboratories in school buildings represents a fundamental step towards building an integrated educational system that contributes to developing the minds of future generations. Laboratories are not just spaces designated for practical experiments, but rather an inspiring educational environment that combines theory and application and encourages creativity and exploration. In light of the rapid transformations in education, it has become necessary to reconsider the designs of school laboratories to keep pace with technological developments and respond to the requirements of modern learning. Science laboratories in the schools of the Sultanate of Oman have witnessed significant development in recent years, as their number has increased to more than (1200) science laboratories where their designs vary to keep pace with the latest international educational standards.”

Santosh Baliken, Director of Investment Fund at Nizwa University and in Future Labs, said: “This conference serves as a forum for professionals and specialists in laboratory furniture to exchange technology and practical knowledge, and openly discuss standards that will benefit all end users of laboratories. We focus on a variety of design-related topics such as adaptable laboratory design, the advantages of sustainable laboratory design, and what to expect from the laboratory of the future. We will be better equipped to deal with the details of today’s rapidly changing environment, and to promote excellence in laboratory furniture design.”

The conference included a working paper by the keynote speaker, Eng. Miguel Pinto from Portugal, architect, and member of the European Foundation for Sustainability in Laboratories, focused on modern laboratory planning and the latest designs of gas evacuators. The speaker from the Kingdom of the Netherlands (Trespa) presented a paper entitled: “Laboratory Tabletops”. The third paper was presented by a speaker from the Kingdom of Denmark from Broen, who pointed out multiple options and modern designs for sanitary connections for laboratories. The speaker from the Italian Republic from Abet presented a working paper entitled: “Laboratory Table Worktops”. The speaker from the Sultanate of Oman from Future Laboratories, an Omani company specialized in furnishing scientific and medical laboratories, presented a paper which presented the company’s latest designs for laboratory furniture. Then, Mr. Santosh Belkan, a representative of the Scientific Equipment and Furniture Association (SEFA), an association interested in setting basic standards for furnishing scientific laboratories, spoke about the association which represents a link between furniture manufacturers through the best reliable scientific methods and practices. The conference program concluded by a speaker from the Federal Republic of Germany from Hettich with a working paper on metal partitions used in laboratory furniture.