Muscat: The Gulf Student Forum for Financial Culture, organized by the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Khazna project, is dedicated to fostering financial literacy among school students.
This initiative, in partnership with the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States, was inaugurated on Sunday morning at the Rotana Salalah Resort in Dhofar Governorate, under the theme ‘Towards Building Financial Culture for School Students’, with the aim of extending its reach until Thursday.
The forum commenced with a warm welcome speech by Dr. Haifa Al-Maamari, the Director of the Khazna project, to the participating students and their supervisors. During her address, she provided an introductory overview of the forum's planned activities, which encompass financial awareness and investment, as well as the creation of promotional content for various projects.
In the inaugural session, Ali Al-Lawati, a distinguished financial expert specializing in investment and governance, delivered a presentation titled ‘Concepts of Financial Culture’. In this discourse, he delved into the broader concept of culture, including the intellectual methods, habits, and standards that influence interactions with others, as well as the significance of financial education and the emergence of personal financial management at both familial and global levels.
The subsequent session focused on the critical topic of ‘Financial Awareness’, highlighting the importance of cultivating financial culture and addressing the disparities in financial knowledge.
Student Shahad Al Kuwari from Qatar expressed, “The Gulf Student Forum has been an enlightening experience for me, as it has introduced me to the concept of financial culture, the elements that shape cultural identities, the importance of understanding and appreciating diverse cultural perspectives, and the significance of financial literacy. Furthermore, the presentation by Ali Al Lawati on the accurate understanding of culture, whether it be Gulf, Arab, or international, and the commendable behaviors exhibited by individuals, has been particularly insightful.”
It is important to highlight that the Khazna project is committed to spreading awareness and embedding the principles of financial culture among school students. Its primary objective is to cultivate a financially astute generation, achieved through a diverse array of 19 programs that encompass guides, documents, training and awareness programs, as well as purposeful activities and events.
