Muscat: The Ministry of Education, in collaboration with Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), organized a workshop titled 'Supporting Social Innovation in Learning Cities.' The event was held under the auspices of Dr. Intisar Abdullah Ambusaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education for Supportive Educational Programs and Deputy Chairperson of Oman National Commission for Education, Culture and Science.
According to Oman News Agency, the workshop aimed to achieve several key objectives, including raising awareness about the concept of social innovation and its critical role in local community development. It also focused on reviewing pioneering practices and global experiences in sustainable community learning, empowering participants to design initiatives addressing social, economic, and environmental challenges, and strengthening partnerships across various sectors involved in education and community development.
In his address, Dr. Mahmoud Abdullah Al Abri, Secretary-General of Oman National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, emphasized the importance of transforming learning cities into active platforms that support lifelong learning and sustainable development amidst global changes. He highlighted that the inclusion of the Wilayats of Muscat, Sur, and Nizwa into the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) signifies a significant milestone. This accomplishment reflects the Sultanate of Oman's commitment to building a knowledge-based society aligned with the targets of Oman Vision 2040.
Dr. Al Abri also noted that social innovation is a crucial mechanism for transforming societal challenges into developmental opportunities. He advocated for ongoing capacity building, expertise exchange, and strengthening partnerships to prepare Omani learning cities to compete for prestigious accolades, such as the UNESCO Learning Cities Award.
Dr. Aisha Salim Al Harthy, head of the research team for the project supporting social innovation in Omani learning cities at Sultan Qaboos University, remarked that social innovation is an urgent necessity. It fosters sustainable solutions derived from community needs through collaborative partnerships among academia, government, the private sector, and civil society.
The workshop is part of the Sultanate of Oman's strategic efforts to build resilient, knowledge-driven societies capable of navigating modern socio-economic shifts. It was attended by heads and representatives of Omani cities in the UNESCO network, alongside college deans from Sultan Qaboos University, academics, educational planners, and professionals in urban and municipal planning.