• Al Kharusi: 16,666 trainees benefited from Community IT Training Project.
• Al Massan: Qalhat LNG supports the project as part of its commitment towards the community.

Recently, the Information Technology Authority (ITA) in cooperation with Qalhat LNG Company held a ceremony at the Omani Women’s Association in Shinas to honor some trainers and trainees of the Women’s Community Knowledge Center (WCKC) in the Wilayat of Shinas. This event was held under the auspices of His Excellency Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohamed Al Farsi, Deputy Wali of the Wilayat of Shinas, and in the presence of Mr. Abdulaziz Abdul Rahman Al Kharousi, Director General of Investment & Sourcing at ITA, and Mr. Khalid Abdullah Al Massan, Vice President for Corporate Affairs at “Qalhat LNG”.

Social Responsibility

On this occasion, Mr. Abdulaziz Al Kharousi, Director General of Investment & Sourcing at ITA, delivered a speech expressing his thanks to private sector organizations, particularly Qalhat LNG, for their interest to be part of the e.oman initiative through their co-operation and support to the Women’s Community Knowledge Center (WCKC) in Shinas realizing the corporate social responsibilities towards the society.

He said: “This ceremony marks the end of the training program organized by Qalhat LNG according to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which was signed by and between both parties in October 2010, and whereby they agreed to establish the Women’s Community Knowledge Center in the Wilayat of Shinas. The establishment of the WCKC aims to train Omani women in computer basics and internet, improve their skills and enhance their performance in IT so as to enable them to participate in building Oman’s Digital Society. During the program’s period from May 2011 to the current May, more than 400 trainees have been trained.”

Mr. Al Kharousi further commented about the Community IT Training Project, saying: “This project is an essential part of the National IT Training & Awareness Initiative (NITTA), which is sponsored by ITA to activate the continuous learning among all strata of society and to reduce digital illiteracy. Moreover, it contributes to creating job opportunities for Omani youth in the different sectors and jobs that require individuals to be able to enter the knowledge community and be IT literate. More than 30,000 trainees, including 16,666 female citizens have taken part in this program since its start in 2008.” 

Distinguished Partnership

For his part, Mr. Khalid bin Abdullah Al Massan, Vice President for Corporate Affairs offered this statement: “Qalhat LNG consistently takes its corporate mission and responsibilities towards the local society with interest as one of its most important objectives through the activation of its ambitious program of social investment, where the program is designed to reflect the corporate efforts and policies in developing the individual and the society as a whole”.

He added: “We are proud of our distinguished partnership with ITA which was made possible through our support to this useful training program. In fact, more than 400 female trainees benefited from the program, acquiring the necessary IT skills, which would enable them to positively interact with the prudent Government orientation towards eGovernment initiatives. At the same time, this program came in response to the call of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said – May Allah Protect him – for empowering the Omani woman and activating her role in the society.”

There are 10 CKCs open for both genders today in the Sultanate, spread across the following regions: Bausher, Sohar, Sur, Salalah, Al Amerat, Nizwa, Bidiya, Khasab, Al Khabourah and Ibri. Dedicated for women alone, 9 CKCs have been allocated for them in: Shinas, Rustaq, Thumrait, Bahla, Ibra, Jalan Bani Bu Ali, Seeb, Yanqul and Masirah.