News & Event

The Ministry of Education, represented by the Directorate-General of Vocational and Technical Education (Student Guidance and Services Department), celebrated the graduation of the first batch of students from the vocational and technical education track (Business Administration and Information Technology), under the patronage of HE Dr. Madiha bint Ahmed Al Shaibaniyah, Minister of Education, in the presence of members of the State Council, Their Excellencies, and invitees, at the Kempinski Hotel (Muscat).

HE Prof. Dr. Abdullah bin Khamis Ambosaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education for Education, delivered the Ministry’s speech, in which he said: “The Ministry of Education affirmed its commitment to the lofty directives of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, and what was approved by the Council of Ministers on the implementation of vocational and technical education, which began implementation in the academic year 2023/2024. This path is a strategic choice that responds to the requirements of sustainable national development and contributes effectively to building national capabilities by providing young people with the practical and specialized skills required by the contemporary labor market. We are confident that this path is not limited to qualifying for the labor market only, but also contributes to consolidating the culture of work and self-reliance, and opens broader horizons for Omani youth to create, innovate, and lead in renewable productive fields, in line with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040.”

HE added: "We are proud of you today and we believe in your ability to contribute to the service of this beloved nation, whether through competently and distinguishably entering the labor market or continuing your academic studies in broader and deeper fields. We cannot miss this opportunity to extend our thanks to you, our dear students, for the sincere efforts you have made throughout your educational journey. This begins with your dedication to developing your English language skills and commitment to raising your proficiency in it, recognizing the importance of this challenge. This continues with your excellence in the remaining academic subjects, and ultimately, this moment, which embodies the fruits of your dedication and determination to succeed."

Then, Dr. Musa Al Kindi, Dean of the Modern College of Business and Science, delivered the college's speech, in which he said: "The global labor market is witnessing rapid transformations, where traditional academic qualifications alone are no longer sufficient criteria to meet employment requirements. Institutions and employers are showing increasing interest in acquiring practical skills, the ability to adapt, and preparedness to face new challenges in the workplace. Contemporary jobs also require essential skills, such as critical thinking, digital proficiency, teamwork, and complex problem-solving. New professional roles will emerge in the future that we have not yet known about, and therefore we must prepare our youth with flexible skills that help them adapt and succeed in any work environment. Hence, the pivotal importance of BTEC programs emerges as an important part of a practical response to these challenges in the technical and vocational field."

“The BTEC curriculum is skills-based, applied learning, and directly responds to the needs of the labor market. It aims to bridge the gap between traditional academic education and the requirements of the workplace. Instead of relying exclusively on theoretical learning, students are assigned educational tasks based on implementing real-life projects, such as developing websites, designing marketing campaigns, or building prototypes of technical solutions and conducting feasibility studies. This enhances their skills in planning, implementation, and critical thinking. Students are also subjected to tasks based on situations that simulate professional reality, enabling them to deal with complex situations that simulate the actual challenges they may face in future work environments,” he added.

The event aims to meet the labor market's need for qualified national talent in Vocational and technical specializations that are compatible with development requirements. It also aims to diversify students' educational paths, allowing them wider options between academic education and practical applied paths. It also seeks to enhance the efficiency of national human resources by providing them with the technical and technological skills necessary to keep pace with developments in economic sectors. It also aims to support the Omanisation strategy by preparing graduates capable of filling technical and professional positions that require specialized skills. The event also aims to raise the level of productivity and innovation by graduating students with applied skills capable of contributing to improving work environments. It also aims to strengthen partnerships with the private sector by linking educational outcomes to the requirements of production and service institutions. It also aims to localize technical knowledge and transfer it to practical reality, thus contributing to reducing reliance on external expertise, instilling a culture of professional work among students, and highlighting the status of technical professions and specializations as promising options for their future.

Dr. Sultan Al Kindi, Acting Director-General of the Directorate-General of Vocational and Technical Education, said: “As part of the Ministry of Education’s efforts to complete the implementation of the vocational and technical education track in post-basic education, in a way that meets the requirements of the Oman Vision 2040 and contributes to preparing education outcomes for the labor market, today we witness the graduation of 138 students of the first patch of the vocational and technical education track, who represented a model of commitment and achievement in an educational track that has become a fundamental pillar of economic development. This event is not only a celebratory event, but rather the culmination of strategic efforts made over the past years, focused on updating educational programs, strengthening partnerships, and improving the educational infrastructure. This has contributed to preparing graduates of this educational track, specializing in business administration and information technology, for the labor market in several professional and technical fields. Vocational and technical education is essential in building an economy based on skills, knowledge, and innovation. We affirm our commitment to strengthening this educational track by creating a quality educational and training environment that responds to the needs of the labor market and anticipates its transformations. I extend my sincere congratulations to all graduates, and I urge them to strive for excellence in their professional and academic performance, their commitment to work ethics, and their contribution to the development of their institutions and society. I also extend my thanks and appreciation to the administrative, educational, and training bodies that accompanied the students throughout their educational journey.”