The Ministry of Transport and Communications (MoTC) of Oman held a workshop on the role of the telecommunications sector in the Fourth Industrial Revolution ‘4IR’. The event was held under the patronage of H E Dr Ahmed Mohammed bin Salim al Futaisi, Minister of Transport and Communications at the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre.
It aimed at spreading awareness about 4IR. The workshop discussed issues such as the importance of the Fourth Industrial Revolution for Oman, the role of revolution in shaping a prosperous economy and the readiness of the telecommunications sector in Oman for this revolution.
H E Said bin Hamdoon al Harthy, Undersecretary for Ports and Maritime Affairs, MoTC said, “The ICT sector plays a key role in the economic and social development of countries and their competitiveness which contribute in the creation of knowledge-based economies.”
He said that the components of the Fourth Industrial Revolution such as data, Artificial Intelligence and robots have started to change the balance of economic power. “We need an integrated system that includes policymakers, sector regulators, educational institutions, service providers and various user groups so that the telecom sector can enhance its economic and social contribution.”
Dr Saud bin Humaid al Shukaily, director general, Communications and Postal Services, MoTC, said, “We are currently preparing a national strategy for the telecomm sector. The strategy will enable the sultanate and other economic sectors to enter the Fourth Industrial Revolution.” Oman has several factors that will help it to enter the Fourth Industrial Revolution such as the coverage of the mobile phone reaching 160 per cent and mobile Internet coverage at 99 per cent. There are also 13 submarine cables passing through the Sea of Oman.
Dr Shukaily stressed the importance of trained manpower to take advantages of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. “Twenty-three per cent of all graduates from universities and colleges in Oman have specialised in programmes related to the telecommunications sector. These national cadres can help Oman to make a quantum leap to enter the world of the Fourth Industrial Revolution when they acquire the right skills.
“The sultanate is making great efforts in the development of youth skills such as the National Youth Program for Skills implemented by the Diwan of Royal Court to develop their skills to enter the Fourth Industrial Revolution.”
Source: https://muscatdaily.com/Archive/Oman/MoTC-holds-workshop-on-the-role-of-telecom-sector-in-4IR-5cfa