Students of Omar bin al Khattab Institute for the Blind manufactured prototypes of lamps powered by solar and other renewable energy sources.
Despite odds of being unable to see, their work includes streetlights, lamps for houses and fancy lights for occasions and celebrations. They work automatically in the absence of natural light.
All the lamps, lights, and the complete projects were on display at the graduation ceremony of the 18 General Diploma students who were part of the 13th batch of blind students who passed out from the school, under the auspices of Lujaina bint Mohsin Haider Darwish, member of the State Council, on Thursday.
"These works are a landmark not only for the school, but also the entire nation as the initiatives are from these blind children," said Badriya al Wahaibi, head of the school.
The graduation ceremony included many segments, including a simple exhibition to introduce the services of the institute, materials and tools used to teach the students.
Various creative works of these visually impaired children, including souvenirs, fridge magnets, moulds and other curios, are currently available across the Sultanate of Oman thanks to the joint efforts of various ministries and parents of these children.
According to the school sources, there have been efforts to ensure copyright and funding for the innovative works and pilot projects for large-scale production and takers from local and international markets.
A short video about one of the graduates who spent nearly 15 years in the school, from kindergarten up to his graduation, captivated the hearts of parents of many such children.
Integrated in 2002, Omar bin al Khattab Institute for the Blind is the only institute in the Sultanate of Oman that provides educational services for visually impaired students. As many as 200 students from different governorates and wilayats of the country seek education here.
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