Muscat airport introduces eduroam, secure Wi-fi service for researchers
The Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, in collaboration with Oman Airports, launched eduroam, a secure global educational roaming service at Muscat International Airport, on Thursday.
This groundbreaking initiative makes Muscat International Airport the first airport in the Middle East to offer a reliable wireless Internet connection specifically designed for students and academics.
eduroam is an internationally recognised Wi-fi Internet access roaming service tailored for users in the research, higher education, and further education sectors. Since its launch in Europe in 2003, eduroam has gained popularity throughout the research and education community and is now available in 74 territories worldwide.
eduroam allows students, researchers and staff of participating institutions to obtain Internet connectivity across campus and when visiting other participating institutions quickly and easily without the need to find local login details.
Najah Mohammed al Rashidiya, Director General of Innovation Centre, informed that the service was developed by the global research community and is exclusively available to students, researchers and academics affiliated with official research networks. "The service is currently available in 36 locations across Oman, including universities, colleges and key strategic areas."
Ayman bin Ahmed al Hosani, CEO of Oman Airports, said that Muscat International Airport is witnessing an increasing number of passengers following the COVID-19 pandemic. He acknowledged that travellers often spend hours during layovers and need to complete various tasks, including scientific and academic.
"The eduroam service is a unique offering that enables authorised users to easily and securely connect to wireless Internet networks within institutions linked to the Oman Research and Education Network or OMREN. Muscat International Airport is among 36 international airports providing this exceptional service," Hosani said.
With the introduction of eduroam at Muscat International Airport, students, researchers and academics can now enjoy uninterrupted connectivity, ensuring that their academic pursuits and collaborations continue seamlessly, even while travelling. This landmark initiative showcases Oman's commitment to fostering innovation and facilitating knowledge exchange within the higher education and research communities.