MUSCAT: OQ Group has launched its Internal Audit and Corporate Assurance Awareness Month for May, aligning with global observances and underlining a broader push to reinforce governance, transparency and risk management across the organisation.
The initiative reflects the group’s intent to strengthen internal controls and embed a more proactive assurance culture that supports sustainable performance and long-term value creation. Abdulrahman bin Ahmed al Harthi, Chief Internal Audit Officer at OQ, said corporate assurance within the group has evolved into a forward-looking discipline that informs decision-making, enhances accountability and builds trust at all levels. He described the awareness month as a milestone in translating these principles into consistent, group-wide practices.
As part of its outreach, OQ hosted an awareness programme for around 150 students from seven universities and colleges, aimed at highlighting the role of internal audit and assurance in organisational sustainability while nurturing specialised national talent in this field.
The group also introduced the 2026 Awareness Month Award to recognise high-impact initiatives across its subsidiaries that improve operational efficiency, strengthen oversight and advance governance and risk management practices. The award is designed to encourage innovation among employees and promote initiatives that enhance system reliability and measurable value creation.
Activities during the month include an open day showcasing best practices and practical experiences in audit and assurance, alongside discussions on their role in strengthening governance frameworks. In parallel, OQ has launched the Young Leaders in Corporate Audit and Assurance Programme, targeting employees as well as audit professionals across Oman, with the aim of developing a new generation of skilled national leaders.
The group’s integrated assurance approach is anchored on four pillars: internal audit, project assurance, risk management and organisational resilience, and ethics and integrity. These are unified under an Integrated Assurance Model that aligns governance, compliance and control functions into a cohesive system supporting strategic objectives.
OQ said the initiative is built on enhancing corporate awareness, reinforcing transparency and accountability, and empowering employees to act decisively and raise concerns at the appropriate time. Collectively, these efforts are expected to improve risk mitigation, strengthen shared responsibility and enable more effective engagement with decision-makers, particularly as the group advances its digital transformation agenda.
The awareness month will conclude with an awards ceremony recognising contributions that have strengthened governance and assurance practices within the group.
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