in digitising as well as enhancing the
efficiency of several vital sectors in
the country such as education, health,
safety and environment. The company’s
CSR initiatives have been immensely
helpful in empowering several segments
of society such as child entrepreneurs,
women, elderly people and people with
disabilities.”
Digital inclusion
Omantel’s digital inclusion initiatives
aims to create a solid foundation for
creativity and innovation, to contribute
to the national digital transformation
drive. The company capitalises on its
infrastructure and expertise as well
as the accumulated experience of its
employees to achieve these objectives.
The partnerships the company entered
into in 2017 include an agreement
signed with Sultan Qaboos University,
to establish a research fund for ICT and
nanotechnology to support and promote
scientific research in the Sultanate.
Omantel also set up an Internet of
Things (IoT) lab to create conducive
environment for the faculty members,
students and those interested in the
development of advanced ICT solutions.
‘Omantel Wal Alawael’ is an initiative
aimed at training elderly people on
using new technology. This will help
bridge the digital gap and enable them
to benefit from the new technological
advancements.
The company has concluded the first
version of its “Upgrade” initiative
aimed at converting graduation
projects in ICT to startup companies,
in partnership with TRC and SAS.
The initiative enabled the selected
team to establish their own start-up
companies. Omantel has also launched
the Sultanate’s first open e-learning
platform ‘Edlal’, designed to share
experiences, knowledge and skills
between experts and young people.
This knowledge-based innovative
platform, launched in partnership with
‘Rudha’ and ‘Point’, aims to contribute
in preparing young Omanis to join the
workforce by equipping them with
the required skills and knowledge
for the market. It also plays a role
in enriching the Arabic language
content on the Internet with timely
and reliable information. The platform
will contribute towards growing a
knowledge-based economy built on
innovation, engagement and new
technologies.Omantel has also partnered with
The National Business Centre (NBC),
Oman Oil Company (OOC) and Oman
India Fertilizer Company (Omifco) to
launch OM.HUB, an entrepreneurial
platform aimed at assisting small and
medium-size enterprises (SME’s) by
creating a fully-equipped centre that
helps in the creation and flourishing of
entrepreneurs, from the start of an idea,
to a fully established company.In support of the efforts to generate
employment opportunities for young
Omanis, Omantel approved an
initiative to train 100 Omanis in the
repair and maintenance of mobile
phones. Omantel also extended
support to Mujeed, which is the first
Omani e-recruitment platform to
enable Omani jobseekers to connect
with the various public and private
sector companies.Another significant initiative is ‘Hour
of the Code’, which involves a one-hour
introduction to computer science and
computer programming. Launched in
collaboration with the leading Omani
education centre ‘Engineering Village’,
this initiative targets children aged
8-14 years who will spend an hour
learning the basics of coding, guided by
Omantel’s ‘Ma’an’ volunteer team and
‘Engineering Village’ team.Community initiatives
Omantel Ramadhan Campaign is one
of the most important annual social
responsibility initiatives organised
by the company each year. The
campaign, which is organised for the
ninth consecutive year, has grown in
terms of the quality of the services it
provides and the type of beneficiaries.
In 2017, this initiative focused on the
maintenance of the homes of low-
income families in various governorates
of the Sultanate.For the eighth consecutive year,
Omantel continued its efforts to
build the capabilities of Omani youth
through ‘Outward Bound Oman’, a
training programme for public school
students, implemented under different
environment and conditions. The
initiative seeks to instill critical thinking
skills, self-reliance, problem solving,
time management and teamwork
among students. In 2017, Omantel, in
cooperation with the Omani Special
Olympics Society and Intellectual
School, involved students with special
needs in this programme.In recognition of the active role played
by Omani women’s associations towards
society, Omantel announced in 2017 the
Mubadara Award during the Sultanate’s
celebrations of Oman Women’s Day.
Mubadara seeks to encourage Omani
women in various governorates to
launch initiatives that add value to
society and recognise the efforts of
active associations and members. OWAs
from the various governorates will
compete for the award.Laila Mohammed Al Wahaibi
Corporate Social Responsibility Manager,
Omantel