In a remarkable collaborative effort, the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) and Alizz Islamic Bank are joining hands to foster a culture of entrepreneurship among children and school students. This exciting initiative, part of the Promising Omani Start-ups Programme, aims to achieve this by creating and enhancing an electronic educational game for mobile phones and smart devices. The game focuses on imparting knowledge about entrepreneurship and start-up companies to children, with the target age group ranging from six to twelve years old.
The rationale behind this initiative is multi-faceted. It seeks to bolster children's skill sets, equipping them to confront future challenges while cultivating an educational environment that encourages creativity and innovation. Additionally, the programme aspires to ignite a passion for entrepreneurship among the younger generation, arming them with the essential skills and knowledge required to thrive as entrepreneurs. Ultimately, it aims to nurture a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, paving the way for a brighter entrepreneurial future.
The memorandum of cooperation was officially signed on behalf of SMEDA by its Chairperson, Halima bint Rashid al Zaria, and on behalf of Alizz Islamic Bank by its CEO, Ali bin Saif al Maani. This partnership is integral to the capacity-building aspect of the Promising Omani Start-ups Programme, overseen by HH Sayyid Bilarab bin Haitham al Said. SMEDA jointly implements it strategically with the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, the Ministry of Economy, and the Omani Communications and Information Technology Group (Izkaa).
SMEDA remains steadfast in its mission to collaborate with government agencies and private sector institutions to advance the small and medium enterprises sector. They are committed to reaching diverse demographics, including children, young adults and students at all educational levels, through partnerships with both public and private educational institutions. Furthermore, SMEDA continues to play a pivotal role in providing comprehensive support packages, incentives and exceptions while adapting to innovative methods that enhance the entrepreneurial ecosystem in line with global trends in the field.
Alizz Islamic Bank, on its part, maintains its dedication to projects and initiatives that positively impact society and set the standard for excellence. This commitment aligns with their belief in the pivotal role of investing in sustainable initiatives, which, in turn, contribute to community prosperity and bolster the national economy.
With an educational game at its core, this groundbreaking initiative is set to empower young minds, inspire future entrepreneurs, and foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, driving Oman's economic growth and prosperity.
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