Enabling ICT talents to support Oman’s digitally-driven future
Published: 04:07 PM,Jul 08,2022 | EDITED : 08:07 PM,Jul 08,2022
The e.Oman 2030 strategy lays down the foundations for the Sultanate of Oman’s digitally-driven future. The ambitious plan stands on four strategic building blocks - creating an inclusive digital society, developing digital skills and capabilities, digitalizing government and fostering digital industry growth.
Oman’s future will be characterized by far greater use of technology – especially those technologies categorized under the ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’. These include Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning, big data, fast 5G communications connectivity and cloud-based computing, to name a few.
Of course, the digital development strategy’s pillars can't be developed in isolation. They will need to be shored up by standards and compliance - by creating laws, regulations and adherence to published standards and specifications. A robust cyber security framework must also be in place, with national proactive monitoring services and early warning systems of any potential or perceived cyberattacks in place.
Underpinning the entire e.Oman vision is a powerful digital infrastructure. This includes smart cities, and always-on, ubiquitous high-speed, high-density networks. And we are getting there. But there’s a central point around which the entire national digitalization strategy revolves – and that’s a skilled workforce, one that is adept in the latest, cutting-edge technologies. A strategy is nothing without a pool of ready, willing and able talent.
Oman’s youthful population is well suited and prepared for digital transformation, especially given the nearly 100 per cent smartphone ownership, home internet access and computer ownership.
But a new generation of ICT leaders needs to be trained – beyond a basic understanding of how to use everyday technology. There are several initiatives that aim to introduce young people to the ICT sector, educate them and enhance their skills, including ICT academies, Seeds for the Future program and annual ICT competitions.
These talent training programmes work because forward-thinking companies like Huawei have forged long-term partnerships with government, universities and other private sector players to build a future-proof talent pipeline.
There are several Huawei ICT Academies in Oman, which operate in partnership with local educators and institutions, enabling students to get real hands-on experience in using bleeding-edge technologies, valid work experience and real job opportunities. It provides industry-recognized certification, which makes it easier for the next generation of ICT talent to join the workforce while developing ICT skills that will propel their future careers and the future success of the nation.
After many years of long-term strategic partnership between incumbent telco Omantel and Huawei, the two organizations are collaborating in establishing a regional ICT training center to support talent development in the Sultanate. The Huawei Regional ICT Training Centre aims to advance new technologies further and support achieving the country’s Oman Vision, of which building a knowledge-based economy is a key pillar.
We have proudly helped train more than 10,000 people in Oman during the last two decades. We have had a dedicated presence in the Sultanate since Oman Huawei was established in 2003 and have been a strategic partner to Oman’s booming ICT sector.
Regional or global competitions can also serve to encourage more interest among our youth in STEM careers. Huawei’s annual Middle East ICT competition sees a large cohort of Omani undergraduates take part – some 5,000, in fact, since 2017 - with a good degree of success. The latest 2021 edition saw three talented students representing Oman in the regional finals, where they received an Outstanding Performance award; The National University was conferred the Excellent Academy title, and Omani educator Imad Saud al Naimi took the Excellent Tutor Award.
The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology has developed a plan that contributes to the development of institutional performance, empowering youth with innovative skills and overcoming the difficulties in modern technology. In close cooperation with Huawei Oman, the Ministry has developed training programs to help young people and industry leaders to develop their technology and innovation skills sectors, to better serve the national economy and nascent digital government.
Huawei is enhancing and developing the technical capabilities of talented youth by providing them with real jobs and enabling their ability to compete in the competitive IT market. Huawei’s Seeds for the Future program is available to several Oman-based universities. Outstanding students are chosen and provided with opportunities to master industry-leading technologies, while receiving exposure to the company's worldwide business operations in a cross-cultural setting. The program's agenda includes studying ICT technologies, operating equipment in labs, studying management skills, visiting Huawei's exposition halls and campuses, and learning about digital life experiences, via two weeks spent with Huawei in China.
The building blocks are in place. But we must do everything possible to support the national digitalization drive. This can only truly become reality when strong public/private partnerships are put in place, and when such partnerships help our youth gain the skills required to manage and maintain the exciting technologies of the future. Huawei proudly remains committed to helping develop Oman’s ever-evolving ICT landscape through its technology leadership, partnerships and training initiatives.
Oman’s future will be characterized by far greater use of technology – especially those technologies categorized under the ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’. These include Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning, big data, fast 5G communications connectivity and cloud-based computing, to name a few.
Of course, the digital development strategy’s pillars can't be developed in isolation. They will need to be shored up by standards and compliance - by creating laws, regulations and adherence to published standards and specifications. A robust cyber security framework must also be in place, with national proactive monitoring services and early warning systems of any potential or perceived cyberattacks in place.
Underpinning the entire e.Oman vision is a powerful digital infrastructure. This includes smart cities, and always-on, ubiquitous high-speed, high-density networks. And we are getting there. But there’s a central point around which the entire national digitalization strategy revolves – and that’s a skilled workforce, one that is adept in the latest, cutting-edge technologies. A strategy is nothing without a pool of ready, willing and able talent.
Oman’s youthful population is well suited and prepared for digital transformation, especially given the nearly 100 per cent smartphone ownership, home internet access and computer ownership.
But a new generation of ICT leaders needs to be trained – beyond a basic understanding of how to use everyday technology. There are several initiatives that aim to introduce young people to the ICT sector, educate them and enhance their skills, including ICT academies, Seeds for the Future program and annual ICT competitions.
These talent training programmes work because forward-thinking companies like Huawei have forged long-term partnerships with government, universities and other private sector players to build a future-proof talent pipeline.
There are several Huawei ICT Academies in Oman, which operate in partnership with local educators and institutions, enabling students to get real hands-on experience in using bleeding-edge technologies, valid work experience and real job opportunities. It provides industry-recognized certification, which makes it easier for the next generation of ICT talent to join the workforce while developing ICT skills that will propel their future careers and the future success of the nation.
After many years of long-term strategic partnership between incumbent telco Omantel and Huawei, the two organizations are collaborating in establishing a regional ICT training center to support talent development in the Sultanate. The Huawei Regional ICT Training Centre aims to advance new technologies further and support achieving the country’s Oman Vision, of which building a knowledge-based economy is a key pillar.
We have proudly helped train more than 10,000 people in Oman during the last two decades. We have had a dedicated presence in the Sultanate since Oman Huawei was established in 2003 and have been a strategic partner to Oman’s booming ICT sector.
Regional or global competitions can also serve to encourage more interest among our youth in STEM careers. Huawei’s annual Middle East ICT competition sees a large cohort of Omani undergraduates take part – some 5,000, in fact, since 2017 - with a good degree of success. The latest 2021 edition saw three talented students representing Oman in the regional finals, where they received an Outstanding Performance award; The National University was conferred the Excellent Academy title, and Omani educator Imad Saud al Naimi took the Excellent Tutor Award.
The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology has developed a plan that contributes to the development of institutional performance, empowering youth with innovative skills and overcoming the difficulties in modern technology. In close cooperation with Huawei Oman, the Ministry has developed training programs to help young people and industry leaders to develop their technology and innovation skills sectors, to better serve the national economy and nascent digital government.
Huawei is enhancing and developing the technical capabilities of talented youth by providing them with real jobs and enabling their ability to compete in the competitive IT market. Huawei’s Seeds for the Future program is available to several Oman-based universities. Outstanding students are chosen and provided with opportunities to master industry-leading technologies, while receiving exposure to the company's worldwide business operations in a cross-cultural setting. The program's agenda includes studying ICT technologies, operating equipment in labs, studying management skills, visiting Huawei's exposition halls and campuses, and learning about digital life experiences, via two weeks spent with Huawei in China.
The building blocks are in place. But we must do everything possible to support the national digitalization drive. This can only truly become reality when strong public/private partnerships are put in place, and when such partnerships help our youth gain the skills required to manage and maintain the exciting technologies of the future. Huawei proudly remains committed to helping develop Oman’s ever-evolving ICT landscape through its technology leadership, partnerships and training initiatives.