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Times of Oman
3 days ago
- Business
- Times of Oman
Branch of UTAS in Musandam contributes to comprehensive development
Khasab: The establishment of the University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS) in Musandam Governorate is a strategic project with economic, scientific, tourism, and social dimensions. It forms part of the comprehensive development and urban strategy to advance the governorate, aligning with the "Oman Vision 2040". The project is expected to contribute to balanced development across Oman's governorates, attract investment in projects and services, and enhance the governorate's economic system, including marine eco-tourism, the fisheries sector, logistics transport services, and renewable energy investments. Dr. Said Hamad Al Rubaee, Vice Chancellor of the University of Technology and Applied Sciences, emphasised that the Musandam branch will strengthen human development factors, increase job opportunities for the local community, and supply the labour market with graduates who meet the requirements of the comprehensive development plan. This will be achieved through high-quality educational and training programmes that reinforce national identity and social values while equipping graduates with modern knowledge and skills for life and work. In a statement to Oman News Agency (ONA), he said that the establishment of the University of Technology and Applied Sciences branch in Musandam Governorate marks the first higher education institution in the governorate, aimed at developing Omani human resources and serving as a key driver of social and economic progress. The current admission plan anticipates around 750 students across various specialisations upon the graduation of the first cohort with bachelor's degrees. The number of enrolled and admitted students is expected to grow annually after the completion of the branch's permanent building. He noted that in the 2024/2025 academic year, the university's total student number reached 46,875, including 22,503 male students (48%) and 24,372 female students (52%), in addition to 147 postgraduate students. During the same academic year, the Musandam branch enrolled 328 students. The university offers diverse specialisations across its six colleges: Creative Industries, Education, Applied Sciences and Pharmacy, Economics and Administrative Sciences, Computing and Information Sciences, and Engineering and Technology. These programs are available at diploma, advanced diploma, and bachelor's levels. At the Musandam branch during the 2024/2025 academic year, several unique and in-demand programmes were introduced, aligned with the Fourth Industrial Revolution, including cloud computing, financial technology, digital business and analytics, and education. The university also plans to introduce scientific specialisations in the second phase, covering marine navigation, marine systems design, and marine product processing technology. These programmes are expected to attract students from across Oman and beyond. He explained that, till the completion of the permanent branch building, a temporary facility has been leased to accommodate students and staff. The interim building includes classrooms, academic and administrative offices, computer and science labs, a library, meeting halls, and other service facilities. As for the final designs for the main branch buildings in Khasab, he affirmed that pre-qualification for the project has been completed, and bids from companies are currently being analysed by the university's consultancy office and specialists. The permanent building will be designed in the shape of Oman's five-petaled desert rose, featuring administrative and academic buildings, engineering workshops, a theater, a library, restaurants, student and staff housing complexes, and green spaces. Dr. Said added that future plans for the Musandam branch include establishing a marine sciences department in a prime location in Bukha. The design will resemble the "sextant," a navigation tool historically used by Omani sailors, and will feature a control tower for boat competitions, a racing circuit, workshops, offices, labs, and classrooms—all meeting global standards for higher education institutions.
Times of Oman
11-06-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Omani student company 'Raf' unveils AI-Powered E-commerce Platform
Muscat: "Raf", a student company affiliated with the University of Technology and Applied Sciences in Muscat, offers an innovative Omani digital startup platform that enables individuals to easily create smart online stores, relying on artificial intelligence technologies specifically trained for the Omani market. The platform aims to enable young people and those interested in e-commerce to enter this field without the need for any technical or design expertise, through a seamless and integrated user experience. Saif bin Jumaa Al Hashar, CEO of "Raf" Student Company, explained that the platform allows users to set up their stores, adjust prices, track competitors' movements, and analyze data in an automated and intelligent manner. Al Hashar pointed out that "Raf"'s vision aligns with the digital transformation trends in the Sultanate of Oman, by harnessing artificial intelligence technologies to serve entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises. Saif Al Hashar said: "Today, I lead the "Raf" team, which consists of 12 members from diverse backgrounds, including programming, marketing, design, and financial management." Al Hashar pointed out that "Raf" seeks to offer flexible subscription plans that suit entrepreneurs of all backgrounds, making it a suitable option for those wishing to launch their own online businesses. He emphasised that the company's goals are to enable everyone to easily enter the e-commerce market, support Omani youth with smart tools to start their businesses, and promote digital entrepreneurship locally and regionally. Saif Al Hashar explained that the company targets young entrepreneurs, owners of small and medium enterprises, university students, and those interested in digital entrepreneurship. He emphasised that "Raf" was selected among the top 40 startups from among more than 300 participants in the "Injaz Oman 2025" program, making it to the list of the top 40 projects in the Sultanate of Oman. He noted that work on the "Raf" project began in January 2024, and the development of the prototype was completed in early 2025. Saif Al Hashar added that "Raf" intends to launch the final version of the platform in early 2026, in addition to seeking initial funding to expand the service locally, obtain institutional support, and form strategic partnerships. It is worth noting that "Raf" seeks to become one of the leading platforms in the field of smart e-commerce in the region by launching future features powered by artificial intelligence, such as sales data analysis, product recommendations, and a smart business assistant that contributes to the efficient growth of users' businesses.
Times of Oman
21-05-2025
- General
- Times of Oman
Winners of Quran memorisation contest in Al Dakhiliyah honoured
Nizwa: The Directorate General of Education in the Governorate of Al Dakhiliyah on Wednesday honoured 180 outstanding male and female students in the Quran memorisation and recitation competitions at the governorate's school level. The ceremony was held at the University of Technology and Applied Sciences under the patronage of Sheikh Ahmed Saud Al Siyabi, Secretary-General of the Fatwa Office. The event featured performances of winning recitations, along with the presentation of an operetta titled 'The Quran: A Way of Life"* and a poetic piece named 'The Quran: A Shining Light." This year's 49th edition of the competition saw participation from over 650 students from public and private schools. Among them, 127 advanced to the final rounds in the governorate-level memorisation contest, with 10 qualifying for the ministry-level finals. Additionally, 57 students competed in the final rounds of the recitation competition, with 6 qualifying for the next stage. More than 20 students with disabilities also participated, 16 of whom advanced to the ministry-level competition.
Times of Oman
07-05-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Oman IoT & AI Challenge 2025
The University of Technology and Applied Sciences in Al-Mussanah hosted the final round of the Oman IoT & AI Challenge 2025 at the university's theater. The challenge aims to inspire innovation and strengthen the technical skills of young people and entrepreneurs in Oman. It also reflects Oman's commitment to encouraging innovation and technology as key pillars of its digital future by creating a competitive environment that promotes research and entrepreneurship. In his speech, Dr. Nasser Al-Baimani, AVC of the university, emphasized the importance of IoT and AI in developing young minds and inspiring creativity. He highlighted that the challenge is not only a test of technical skills but also an opportunity to empower participants to transform their ideas into real projects that contribute to sustainable development. He also stressed the university's role in enhancing students' skills by enabling them to develop smart solutions that address current challenges and support digital transformation. The final round brought together the top projects and startups from the semi-final stage, selected through strict criteria focused on technical excellence and added value. Participants underwent a thorough evaluation, where projects were filtered based on quality, innovation, and practical application. The most outstanding teams advanced to the final, with winners set to represent Oman in the Arab IoT & AI Challenge—giving them a chance to compete regionally and raise the standard of innovation and excellence. Dr. Saeed Al-Rubaie, Vice Chancellor of the university, inaugurated the accompanying exhibition, which featured five startups and 22 student graduation projects. Participants came from university branches across Al-Mussanah, Sohar, Salalah, Ibri, Nizwa, Ibra, Muscat, Shinas, Sur, as well as Sohar University and Majan University College. The exhibition served as a platform to encourage students and entrepreneurs to develop tech solutions and foster stronger collaboration between academia and industry, opening new opportunities for collaboration and investment in emerging technologies. The Oman IoT & AI Challenge is a national platform that aims to promote innovation and enhance technical skills in IoT and AI. The challenge empowers youth and entrepreneurs to develop smart solutions addressing challenges across sectors, strengthening Oman's position as a regional hub for technological innovation.
