Muscat – Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation (MoHERI) has launched the sixth phase of the Eidaad programme – aimed at deepening collaboration between industry and academia – in cooperation with Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) and higher education institutions.

Eidaad is a national internship initiative offering one-year placements for university students in leading companies across the sultanate. The programme focuses on applied learning in fields aligned with market needs, equipping participants with technical expertise, communication skills and professional competencies suited for Oman’s evolving economy.

The sixth phase was formalised on Monday with a signing ceremony at Arab Open University. The agreement was signed by representatives of MoHERI, PDO, academic institutions and private sector partners.

Speaking at the event, H E Dr Rahma bint Ibrahim al Mahrooqi, Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, said the programme is part of efforts to align education with Oman Vision 2040 goals. “Enabling Omani youth by nurturing their capabilities and skills to better prepare them for the rapidly changing job market is one of the strategic goals of Vision 2040.”

Hamed al Hadhrami, External Learning and Development Manager at PDO, described the initiative as a national effort to align academic outcomes with real-world demands. “It is key that we continue to work together to align academic outputs with industry needs and enhance curriculum development to address industry challenges,” he said.

Since its inception in 2020, over 1,000 students have graduated from the Eidaad programme. In the current phase, more than 400 students from across Oman’s higher education institutions are expected to be placed in over 40 companies spanning various sectors.

Farid al Harthy, PDO’s Executive Director of Business Support, said the initiative reflects the company’s wider transformation strategy. “Eidaad is a tangible example of PDO’s Journey of Transformation, ‘ForOman’. By equipping young Omanis with the skills and mindset needed to thrive in a changing world, we’re helping to build a resilient, knowledge-based economy.”

To support ongoing development, the programme has also enhanced its mapping module, providing students and academic advisors with information on career options linked to their academic specialisations. The module is part of efforts to help students make informed career decisions while strengthening their readiness for the modern workforce.