MUSCAT: The Ministry of Education has signed cooperation agreements with private-sector institutions to support the fifth edition of the Oman Science Festival, aimed at expanding its scientific programmes and enhancing interactive learning experiences for students and visitors.
The signing ceremony was held under the auspices of Dr Madeeha bint Ahmed al Shaibani, Minister of Education, in the presence of Dr Intisar bint Abdullah Ambusaidi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Education for Educational Support Programmes and Chairperson of the Main Festival Committee.
The partnerships aim to strengthen the resources available for the festival, broaden its activities and promote a culture of science, technology and innovation, while encouraging greater private-sector participation in national initiatives focused on education and scientific capacity-building.
Dr Maya bint Said al Azri, Director-General of Scientific Innovation and Artificial Intelligence at the Ministry of Education and Chairperson of the festival’s Scientific Committee, in her speech said that building the future begins with science and that investment in people is fundamental to progress.
She stressed the importance of preparing future generations with the skills needed to adapt to scientific and technological advances and contribute to the objectives of Oman Vision 2040.
Dr Maya described the Oman Science Festival as a pioneering national initiative to promote scientific awareness and showcase developments in science, technology and innovation. Through interactive activities, the festival brings together national institutions and local and international expertise, enabling students and members of the public to explore scientific advances and their practical applications.
Reviewing the impact of the festival’s previous four editions, she said they had attracted more than 840,000 visitors. The fourth edition featured more than 140 institutions from various sectors, reflecting growing community and institutional participation.
The festival has also helped encourage students to pursue scientific disciplines while supporting innovation and scientific research, she added.
Dr Maya noted that private-sector partnerships were essential to the festival’s continued development and long-term impact. Cooperation between educational institutions and economic and scientific sectors would help diversify programme content and make scientific knowledge accessible to wider segments of society.
Through its fifth edition, the ministry aims to expand local and international partnerships and attract leading scientific institutions, further strengthening the festival’s regional and international standing.
The initiative also supports efforts to build an innovative, knowledge-based society capable of adapting to scientific and technological change and advancing the goals of sustainable development and Oman Vision 2040.
The expanded partnerships are expected to create greater opportunities for students to engage with emerging technologies, explore scientific concepts through hands-on activities and gain exposure to innovation-driven fields. By connecting education with industry expertise and practical applications, the festival seeks to nurture curiosity, encourage creative thinking and inspire young people to contribute to Oman’s growing knowledge and innovation ecosystem.
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