Muscat: Activities of the 2nd edition of the forum titled 'Together We Progress' began on Sunday at Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC). The forum is organised by the Secretariat General of the Council of Ministers under the auspices of His Highness Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth.
The event seeks to advance communication and interaction between the government and society and consolidate public confidence and partnership.
The forum, which brings together members of the public and government officials, also aims to review policies, development programmes and government initiatives. The interactive event provides citizens with an opportunity to express their opinions and views on public matters and share their concerns about common challenges.
Sheikh Al Fadhl Mohammed Al Harthy, Secretary General of the Council of Ministers, said that the forum embodies the Royal vision of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik about the importance of strengthening communication between the government and society. He added that 'Together We Progress' catalyses the principle of community participation in the development process.
Al Harthy pointed out that the forum will address topics related to the sectors of education, health, social protection, labour and employment, youth, the media and national identity.
He added that, during the days of the forum, a special exhibition will be dedicated to Oman Vision 2040, as well as programmes on government digital transition, economic diversification, employment, investment and export development and carbon neutrality.
Meanwhile, Dr. Madeeha Ahmed Al Shaibani, Minister of Education, delivered a visual presentation highlighting various aspects of education and the potential for growth in the sector in line with Oman Vision 2040.
Dr. Madeeha emphasized that the key priorities are centered around promoting high-quality education and fostering community partnerships. Additionally, there is a focus on empowering the workforce, establishing a comprehensive and independent system, and nurturing talents that can compete both locally and globally.
Dr. Rahma Ibrahim Al Mahrouqi, Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, expressed her ministry's commitment to enhancing the quality of university education and providing the labor market with highly-qualified individuals. The aim is to strengthen the human capital of the country.
Dr. Rahma further explained that the ministry's strategy aims to align academic programs with the needs of the labor market. The strategy also seeks to achieve research excellence with the ultimate goal of generating positive economic and social impacts. Moreover, the ministry's strategy places significant emphasis on the continuous development of vocational education and training programs, ensuring compliance with national and international standards in this field.
Dr. Hilal Ali Al Sabti, Minister of Health, highlighted the strategic approach of the health sector in Oman, which focuses on sustainability and centralization of services, technical and medical systems, and the availability of qualified healthcare professionals. The implementation of diversified and sustainable funding sources is also a key aspect.
Dr. Hilal stated that the health sector's programs during the 10th Five Year Plan include comprehensive health coverage, governance and restructuring of the sector, and the establishment of a more efficient planning and financing system. These initiatives aim to improve the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the healthcare system in Oman.
In the meantime, Dr. Laila Ahmed Al Najjar, the Minister of Social Development, emphasized that the key areas of focus for Oman Vision 2040 are social welfare, family and community development, services for individuals with disabilities, self-employment, civil society organizations, and social responsibility programs.
Dr. Laila further stated that the ministry is actively implementing programs to enhance the services provided to individuals with disabilities, with the primary objective of facilitating their integration into society.
Additionally, Dr. Jokha Abdullah Al Shukaili, the CEO of the Oman Authority for Academic Accreditation and Educational Quality Assurance, highlighted that the Authority's initiatives prioritize excellence and public-private partnerships, along with the continuous evaluation of school performance and educational efficiency.
Dr. Jokha emphasized that the Authority has officially adopted a national system for accrediting academic programs, which includes the implementation of international standards for external quality assurance and the assessment of fundamental programs.
During the forum, an 'Idea Makers' initiative was launched, aiming to inspire citizens to develop innovative solutions that reflect the national identity and promote effective communication between the government and society.
This initiative seeks to harness the creative ideas of young individuals as a means to realize the future aspirations outlined in Oman Vision 2040.
