Education Ministry signs agreement to include employment linked scholarships

Muscat: The Ministry of Education signed a cooperation agreement today with the Omani Qatari Telecommunications Company “Ooredoo” to include scholarships within the Unified Admission Center system, thereby strengthening the link between educational outcomes and labor market needs.

The agreement was signed by Dr. Madiha Ahmed Al Shaibani, Minister of Education, and on behalf of Ooredoo by Saud Hamad Al Riyami, CEO of the company, in the presence of several officials from both sides.

The agreement aims to launch a national program that combines academic scholarships with an employment track, by providing fourteen scholarships in technical and digital disciplines of national priority, while making employment opportunities available to graduates after meeting the specified criteria.

The program includes scholarships sponsored by Ooredoo within the unified admissions system, to be implemented in successive phases to ensure sustainability and quality outcomes. The first phase includes job opportunities for beneficiaries after graduation.

This agreement underscores the Ministry of Education's commitment to developing the education system to meet labor market demands by building effective partnerships with the private sector. These partnerships contribute to preparing qualified national talent and enhancing their readiness to engage in vital sectors, particularly in technology and the digital economy.

The agreement also reflects the private sector's role in supporting human development efforts and contributing to building national capabilities, in line with the development priorities of the Sultanate of Oman.

This initiative supports the objectives of Oman Vision 2040, which focuses on empowering national talent, enhancing education, and building a knowledge-based digital economy.

The signing ceremony featured a presentation detailing the program, the targeted specializations, and employment pathways, as well as showcasing examples of beneficiaries, reflecting the initiative's anticipated impact on the career paths of Omani youth.