Muscat – The Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation (MoHERI) on Tuesday signed an agreement with Bahwan CyberTek Group – an arm of the Suhail Bahwan Group – to bolster the higher education sector within Oman.

The pact, focusing on higher education, scientific research, innovation, and vocational training, was formalised by H E Dr Rahma bint Ibrahim al Mahrouqi, Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, and S Durgaprasad, Co-founder, Director and Group CEO of Bahwan CyberTek Group.

As per the agreement, Bahwan CyberTek will provide annual funding for undergraduate scholarships across various disciplines and invest in cooperative programmes with private universities and colleges in the areas of scientific research and innovation.

This collaboration extends to countries where the company has branches.

Bahwan CyberTek will also support the ‘We are Oman’ educational programme for the next three years.

Furthering its support for innovation, the company will finance three startups within the ‘Upgrade’ programme every academic year, starting in 2022-23.

This initiative aims to transform student graduation projects into innovation-based startups, adhering to established controls and conditions, with potential to increase the number of startups annually.

The collaboration also includes support for applied research through participation in the Ejad platform. Funding will be provided for the annual scientific research forum, support and financing will also be given to establish an electronic platform ‘Oman Innovates’.

The agreement also covers development projects for vocational colleges under the ministry’s purview. Bahwan CyberTek will be instrumental in the evaluation and development of professional curricula and foundation programmes.

The company’s involvement extends to training workers in innovation and simulation centers in vocational colleges and providing training for students and trainees both within and outside Oman.

As part of the agreement, the company will provide training and qualification for the ministry’s employees and those working in vocational colleges. Focus areas include information technology, cybersecurity, Fourth Industrial Revolution skills, and other relevant training areas.

This agreement between the ministry and Bahwan CyberTek is a significant development in strengthening collaboration between governmental and private sectors.

It marks a clear commitment to activating the strategic partnership in the realms of higher education, scientific research, innovation, and vocational training within Oman.