Omantel, the first and leading provider of integrated telecommunications services in the Sultanate, has announced the launch of “Think and Innovate” bus.
The initiative aims to provide self-learning opportunities, encourage innovation among students and establish a platform to showcase these innovations throughout the Sultanate. The inauguration was held under the patronage of Her Excellency Dr Madiha bint Ahmed Al Shibaniyah, Minister of Education, in the presence of Mr Talal Bin Saeed Al Mamari, CEO of Omantel.
Commenting on the launch of this initiative, Alia Al Habsi, Director General of Directorate-General of Education in North Al Sharqiyah, said, “We are delighted to launch this initiative which will undoubtedly contribute to the efforts exerted to create an innovation-friendly educational environment. The Ministry supports and values such initiatives that reflect Omantel’s commitment to its corporate social responsibility.”
On her part, Laila Al Wahaibi, CSR Manager at Omantel, commented, “Innovation is one of the key values that Omantel embrace. We are very keen on encouraging future generations to think differently, innovate and contribute to finding new solutions and innovations. This initiative is intended to be as a unique platform for students from various governorates in the Sultanate to unleash their innovations with the help of competent instructors. "
Al Wahaibi stressed on the importance of partnership with the Ministry of Education. As she said, Omantel has previously signed several agreements with the Ministry for similar projects that aimed at supporting digital transformation and innovation at various schools throughout the Sultanate.
Innovation Bus will continuously visit students, teaching staff and officials at various schools in the Sultanate as planned, to enable students to achieve excellence and lead their way to top ranks in regional and international arenas through a number of forums, programs and specialized scientific workshops, in addition to holding workshops in some malls and participating in scientific events and exhibitions in the Sultanate.
Al Wahaibi also added, “We are seeking to raise an innovative generation that can imbibe the Fourth Industrial Revolution Technologies. In addition, we strive to host specialized training courses in robots and electronics that help qualify competitors to compete in the international arena. We aim to achieve this goal through continuous partnership with public and private sectors and promote innovative educational and learning processes. Extensive field visits will also be prepared for schools.”
Workshops held at each visit will consist of an introduction to electronics and their basics, an introduction to Arduino, professional programming of Arduino, Virtual Reality, an introduction to robotics, basics of EV3 programming, a workshop in student projects, getting more familiar with Z SPACE LAB and 3D shows in (Sea and Ocean World, Astronomy and Space, Physics, Chemistry and Biology).
These are all aimed at promoting innovation culture among students in the early stages, turning students' creative projects and ideas into reality, providing learning and innovation opportunities for students in various places.
Investing in the future of the nation, Omantel connects even the most remote communities of the Sultanate to each other and the rest of the world. Omantel is the Sultanate’s first and leading integrated telecommunications services provider, enabling the digital society to flourish, allowing new ways of doing business and delivering a world of information, news and entertainment. Today, Omantel is working to achieve the highest level of customers’ satisfaction as the most reliable and wide national network.
