News & Event

In cooperation with the Ministry of Education, represented by the Career Guidance and Student Counseling Center, and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority, the Youth Center launched the "Mostaql" program, the first national program of its kind. The program aims to empower young people to discover their individual skills and transform them into a source of income by promoting a culture of independent work and entrepreneurship among school students.

The program extends over a period of three months, from July 7 to September 18, 2025, and is distributed across 11 training stations in various governorates of the Sultanate of Oman, including: Sohar University, the Youth Preparation Center in Sur, Ibri Club, Sultan Qaboos Youth Complex in Salalah, the Youth Center in Al Khuwair, Al Sharqiyah University in Ibra, in addition to the Oman Across Time Museum in Manah, the Wali Hall in Rustaq, the Economic Authority in Duqm, and Khasab Sports Club.

The program targeted 330 students from grades 10, 11, and 12, with 30 participants from each governorate. It provided comprehensive professional and cultural training content that enhanced students' understanding of freelance work, provided them with skills in providing digital services and dealing with clients, and directed them to create professional files on freelance platforms. It also stimulated early entrepreneurial thinking among them, to establish viable small projects.

Ms. Samira Al-Tale'i, Head of the Entrepreneurship Department at the Ministry of Education's Career Guidance and Students Counseling Center, emphasized that the "Mostaql" program represents a qualitative shift in enabling students to connect academic education with practical reality. She added, "In light of the rapid economic transformations, freelancing has become a major career path. What distinguishes this program is its early development of professional awareness and its assistance in transforming their passion and skills into real sources of income through a rich practical experience."

For her part, Halima Al Balushi, Career Guidance Supervisor in Muscat Governorate, pointed out the importance of the program in raising awareness of digital opportunities and enabling students to create professional profiles on freelancing platforms. She said, “Mostaql is an interactive program that helps students discover their skills in a stimulating and professional environment.” Participating students also expressed their gratitude and the great benefit they gained from the program.

"Mostaql" is a strategic initiative to spread the culture of entrepreneurship in the Sultanate by achieving specific objectives, including raising awareness of the culture of freelancing, creating initial accounts on freelancing platforms, developing viable ideas, and empowering students with presentation, marketing, and personal branding tools. The program represents a model of institutional integration between various national entities in supporting and empowering youth, in line with the goals of Oman Vision 2040, by preparing a productive, independent, and proactive generation for the digital and economic future.