Italian language centre to open in Muscat

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish the first official Italian language Centre (Società Dante Alighieri) in Oman was signed by Società Dante Alighieri (La Dante’s), Italy’s official institution for teaching Italian language, and Global Education Services (GES Quality Education).

Speaking to the Observer, Federica Favi, Ambassador of Italy to the Sultanate of Oman, said that this marks a turning point in the bilateral cultural relations with Oman, making Italian language closer for the Omani public and a further tool for economic diversification.

“Learning Italian will open new opportunities to young Omanis in many fields to learn more about our country, our education and our technology, and to get certified professional skills that can be spent in growing sectors like tourism or engineering,” she said.

“We have a focus on developing and retaining Omani skills through educational opportunities and recognise the long-term advantages that introducing the Italian Language Centre will bring. La Dante is the ideal partner to promote the Italian language and an appreciation of its culture,” said Shaikh Julanda bin Salim al Hashmi, Vicepresident of Global Education Services.

“Promoting Italian culture and language abroad is our main mission. We deliver Italian courses both in presence and by our e-learning digital platform Dante.global according to our high-level quality teaching approach. Oman is a key country in our vision and cooperation with GES is strategic in accomplishing our goals,” Alessandro Masi, Secretary-general of Società Dante Alighieri, told the Observer.

Located in Al Mouj Muscat Development Project, the first official Italian language centre in Oman comes under the auspices of the Embassy of Italy and the Omani-italian Friendship Association and the Oman Centre is the second in the region and first in the country.

Salma al Hashmi, Board Member of the Omani-italian Friendship Association, commented, “This is another significant step in enhancing cultural relations between our nations. With GES Quality Education and La Dante, Omanis will enjoy access to high quality teaching and certification of Italian in Muscat.

La Dante was established in Italy in 1889 with a network in more than 80 countries around the world.”