Omantel signs agreement with MEC to promote digital learning

Engineer Khalid Bin Mohammed Al Raisi, senior manager of Key Accounts at Omantel and Dr Kiran J., dean of MEC, signed the agreement in the presence of Dr Abdulmonem Al Kharusi, director of OMREN project at The Research Council

MUSCAT: Omantel, the leading telecom provider in Oman, has signed an agreement with the Middle East College (MEC) to take part at the Oman Research and Education Network (OMREN) as a member among various affiliated institutions in the Sultanate.

Through this agreement, Om- antel and MEC look forward to rise the provided educational services in convenience with the rapid growing development of the telecommunication services, technologies, and information revolution which the world witnesses in many sectors and domains, including the educational sector and to support the registered students at the collage to benefit from suitable environment that OMREN provides.

Engineer Khalid bin Mohammed Al Raisi, senior manager of Key Accounts at Omantel and Dr Kiran J., dean of MEC, signed the agreement in the presence of Dr Abdulmonem Al Kharusi, director of OMREN project at The Research Council (TRC).

Dr Al Kharusi said: “This new membership of the Middle East College to OMREN will be a catalyst for enriching many research activities, exploiting educational and knowledge resources and enhancing collaboration among members, especially after the successful link made between OMREN and other International research and education networks such as Internet2 and GEANT.”

He added that, it is very important for all higher education institutions in the Sultanate to participate in the success of this national project. This will enrich collaboration among researchers in finding the necessary solutions and applications in all fields of life scientifically, economically and socially to move the consortium forward from the stage of consuming knowledge to the stage of producing advanced knowledge and exporting it to boost the national income and generate more jobs opportunities.

Al Raisi said, “We are very pleased to cooperate with one of the leading educational institutions in the Sultanate to promote digital learning and scientific research. Digital inclusion is a key part of our strategy as Omantel and we remain committed to sharing this vision with a growing number of educational institutions in the country.”

He added, “Through our partnership with the Middle East College, OMREN has been able to reach out to eight universities and colleges including Sultan Qaboos University, Nizwa University, Dhofar University, Al-Sharqiyah University, German Technology University, the International Marine Sciences College, and the college of Shareah Sciences to promote collaboration in research and education. Fifteen more members are expected soon to join once the Ministry of Higher Education and the Ministry of Manpower processed the contract document. Our objective is to increase the network of educational institutes to enrich and empower education and research in the Sultanate, and we are confident that this will lead to achieving the aims of the national strategy and the scientific research visions.”

Al Raisi also confirmed that Omantel and other relevant parties are all striving to achieve the objectives of OMREN, which is to create a suitable environment for researchers and students at universities and colleges in the Sultanate, which will enhance the level of education, and scientific research in the country.

Omantel is constantly investing in enhancing its telecommunications networks, developing smart technologies and innovative solutions that support high-speed communication networks and link educational, and research institutions to each other for easy exchange or information.

Dr Kiran said, “We are pleased to join OMREN and we believe that the association will undoubtedly enrich the research cell at the college and encourage exchange of knowledge with various other institutions affiliated to the network. The Middle East College aims to improve the overall level of education in the Sultanate and equip graduates with the right skills to work in the local market.”