As part of its efforts to diversify its economy and promote research and innovation in the country, Oman plans to set up a national space programme, which will be complemented by space research and technology initiatives.
The plans for Oman’s expansion into space were listed by Dr Ali Al Shidhani, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology for Communications and Information Technology, who said that developments in this direction were part of the objectives for expansion stated by His Majesty Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik.
“The ministry’s competencies in relation to advanced technologies came as a translation of His Majesty’s vision of moving forward to grasp the science and skills of the future, and enhancing the use of advanced technologies and employing them to improve the competitive capabilities of the national economy,” said Al Shidhani.
“This comes in line with Oman’s 2040 vision, which considered this sector a supporter and enabler of economic sectors,” he added. “The ministry was entrusted with unprecedented and new competencies such as setting up the national space programme, supporting programmes for developing uses and applications of space science and technology, establishing infrastructure for the development and manufacturing of space systems and satellites, and transferring and adopting advanced technology in the information technology industry.”
The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology has set up a work plan to bring these projects to reality. It will involve close cooperation between the government and private sector in the country, as well as many researchers and scientists involved in the relevant fields.
“These competencies were translated through the ministry’s structure, there being a centre for space, advanced technology and artificial intelligence, and directorates for infrastructure and digital platforms, thereby stimulating the sector, building future skills and empowering other sectors,” he said. “We will also benefit from all ideas and opinions that contribute to improve the ministry’s work and projects.
Al Shidhani went on to add: “Accordingly, we are working in the ministry to set work paths within all these competencies under specific indicators that measure performance and achievement, and we will work to achieve these goals in partnership and cooperation with all government entities, the private sector, and Omani experts and specialists in the field of technology and communications.”
The undersecretary also praised another of His Majesty’s initiatives: the donation of laptops to underprivileged and needy students in Oman.
“The directives of His Majesty to provide computers to higher education students from the social security segment and those with low income, and the government’s rapid endeavour to deliver communication and internet services to 598 villages and rural areas in the Sultanate during this year, confirm His Majesty’s interest to empower all citizens of the nation with technical services and knowledge.
“The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology will work side by side with all partners in the communications and information technology sector to improve the quality of the services to meet the needs of citizens and the strategic sectors,” he added.