Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) and Omantel have inked an agreement on a cooperation programme that will contribute to the establishment of a state-of-the-art Innovation and Technology Transfer Centre at the varsity. The agreement was signed last week by Dr Rahma Ibrahim al Mahrooqi, deputy vice chancellor for Postgraduate Studies and Research at SQU, and Talal bin Said al Mamari, CEO of Omantel.
The cooperation programme is part of the mutual efforts to foster innovation in the sultanate and create the conditions that will enhance its contribution to driving economic growth, improving the lives of people in Oman, and creating an innovation and knowledge-based economy.
The establishment of the Innovation and Technology Transfer Centre - one of the 14 research centres at SQU - was a response to the urgent need to expand innovation activities and areas, as it is a strategic direction on which many economically and socially developed countries rely on. The Strategic Plan of the University (2016-40) stressed on the importance of establishing an independent entity for innovation to expand the activities that support innovators, and develop and incubate the Omani youth’s innovative ideas in various fields.
At the agreement signing, Dr Rahma, said, “No two people will disagree on the importance of innovation in today’s world, as it is the substance that leads to countless gains, whether economically, socially or intellectually. On the economic level, innovation is the key driver that contributes to enhancing and adding new value to existing resources and methods, and contributes to the development of new industries, products, and services, which in turn, creates jobs and multiple opportunities for young people, and will ultimately drive Oman’s economic growth.
“The changing needs of our society and the world caused by a myriad of factors, especially the huge technological revolution and the advent of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, compel us to invest heavily in research and innovation to advance our country’s industry, economy and to ensure the well-being of our society. Therefore, we must focus on ways and means to ensure that innovation is instilled as a culture in our society and that the great benefits of innovation are realised in the various fields and sectors of the economy and society.”
Mamari said, “We are delighted with this new partnership with SQU. This partnership is one among many that Omantel has signed with the university, which have proven to be successful, with the latest one being the establishment of an Internet of Things Lab, in addition to the Omantel Fund for Scientific Research in the fields of ICT and nanotechnology.”
