The Embassy of India in Muscat celebrated the ITEC Day on Thursday, January 18, 2024, at the Embassy Premises. The event was attended by approximately 150 participants, including ITEC alumni from Oman who have previously participated in training courses in India under the ITEC Programme. These alumni consist of officials and professionals from various sectors. Additionally, several officials from different Omani authorities and agencies responsible for employee training also attended the function.
The Chief Guest for the occasion was Dr. Mahad bin Said bin Ali Baowain, the Minister of Labour of the Sultanate of Oman.
The Indian Technical & Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme was initiated in September 1964 as a bilateral assistance program by the Government of India to support capacity building in friendly developing countries. Over the years, it has become a significant platform for India to contribute to the Human Resource Development of partner nations. The ITEC Programme invites officials from more than 160 countries across Asia, Africa, East Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean, as well as Pacific and Small Island countries to benefit from India's developmental expertise.
Annually, the ITEC Programme offers a wide range of over 14,000 courses covering diverse subjects. These courses encompass traditional areas such as agriculture, SMEs, management, and English language, as well as modern fields like IT, Science & Technology, and biotechnology. The skills imparted through the ITEC Programme aim to facilitate human resource development, capacity building, skill enhancement, and empowerment.
Amit Narang, the Ambassador of India to Oman, highlighted the significance of the ITEC Programme as a crucial platform for fostering partnerships and enhancing capacity building between our two nations.
He emphasized that over the years, the programme has received a positive response in Oman, with active participation from numerous Omani officials in ITEC courses.
Furthermore, he expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Labour, Foreign Ministry, and other relevant ministries and organizations in Oman for their unwavering support in effectively implementing the ITEC Programme.
Ambassador Amit Narang also emphasized that the recent state visit of His Majesty to India has further strengthened our partnership in capacity-building, training, and skill enhancement. He underscored that the Government of India is a steadfast ally in Oman's pursuit of the objectives outlined in 'Oman Vision 2040', and the ITEC programme can play a pivotal role in achieving these goals.
In this journey, specialized training, human resource development, and skill enhancement are integral components, and the ITEC Programme serves as an ideal platform. He assured that customized courses can be organized specifically for Omani candidates based on their areas of interest.
The ITEC Day provided an opportunity for ITEC Alumni, who have undergone training in India through this Programme, to gather at the Embassy and engage with one another, sharing their experiences. They spoke about the invaluable benefits of ITEC courses, not only in terms of knowledge and expertise, but also in providing a platform to interact with trainees from other countries and gain insights into India's rich culture and traditions.
During the event, the talented artist Jhumpa Chakraborty and her students delivered a captivating Kathak dance performance.
