The Ministry of Education, through the Directorate-General of Curriculum Development, is collaborating with the Scientific College of Design to implement the 'Young Crafters' program in Muscat. The program, which commenced last week, aims to train 30 students from Muscat Governorate in preserving traditional Omani crafts by utilizing modern technology to create various designs.
The 'Young Crafters' program is a vocational training initiative designed to equip students with technical skills that not only enhance their appreciation of cultural heritage but also prepare them to contribute to both local and global markets.
One of the primary objectives of the program is to foster interest in crafts and traditional industries while empowering students to share their knowledge with peers in the realm of handicrafts.
The training encompasses a range of skills including metal shaping, pottery, ceramics, artistic works, graphic design, and photography. These workshops are conducted by professors specializing in metals, pottery, artistic works, and graphic design from the Scientific College of Design.
Ahmed Al-Sabhani, a senior educational researcher at the Department of Citizenship, highlighted that the program is structured around interactive workshops where students receive hands-on training under the guidance of experienced instructors from the Scientific College of Design. The program is divided into two parts, with the first part focusing on graphic design skills using industry-standard software like Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator, as well as advertising photography. Students are divided into groups and rotate between workshops over a two-week period.
The second part of the programme is dedicated to providing specialized training to each student in one of the following areas: Artistic works, metal shaping, ceramics making, and pottery. To ensure that the students receive the most suitable training, they were divided into three groups based on their inclinations and choices. The emphasis is placed on the numbers, as we aim to accommodate as many students as possible and provide them with the necessary skills to excel in their chosen craft.
This initiative, known as the Young Crafters programme, aligns with Oman Vision 2040 and its goals of preserving Omani crafts, fostering a sense of national identity among students, and equipping them with the skills needed to thrive in the modern craft industries. By incorporating modern technology and promoting entrepreneurship, we aim to broaden the students' horizons and prepare them for a successful future.
