Al DUQM, APRIL 13
The Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD) and Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) will run a summer internship initiative in Al Duqm from June 7 to 18, placing students with seven companies operating across the zone’s industrial and services base. Participating businesses include OQ8, ASYAD Drydock, Oman Tank Terminal Company, SIMAK, Port of Duqm, ASYAD Container Terminal and Crowne Plaza Duqm.
Designed to bring academic talent closer to the operating realities of Duqm, the initiative will see students work on defined assignments inside host organizations, supported by company mentors and SQU supervisors. Final presentations will be held at the close of the internship.
Representatives from SEZAD, SQU and the participating companies met at the SEZAD Head Office recently to review the structure of the pilot ahead of the June launch.
The initiative gives SEZAD tenants additional support on live projects and an early look at emerging talent. Students, meanwhile, gain first-hand exposure to workplace practices, day-to-day operations and the pace of work inside large organisations. More broadly, the arrangement helps bring higher education and industry into closer alignment.
Eng Ahmed Akaak, CEO, SEZAD, said: “Duqm’s long-term success depends as much on the strength of its human capital as on the quality of its infrastructure. Internships help students understand the realities of professional life while giving our tenants a practical role in preparing the next generation of talent for Al Duqm’s future needs”.
Commenting on the initiative, Prof Salim al Harthy, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs & Community Service, SQU, said: “This partnership reflects the university’s emphasis on training, student enhancement and employment. It gives our students the chance to test their academic training in a work environment. They’ll take on real assignments, work to deadlines and be expected to make a meaningful contribution. That experience prepares them for the workplace and gives greater practical value to what they learn in lectures”.
Fourteen students will take part, drawn from SQU’s colleges of Engineering, Agricultural & Marine Sciences, Science, Arts & Social Sciences and Economics & Political Science. Alongside their company placements, interns will take part in evening talks led by professionals from across the SEZAD tenant community and a weekend team challenge focused on how to attract young professionals to Al Duqm.
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