Education & Health
From The Report: Oman 2025
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Oman’s education and health sectors have undergone significant transformation in recent decades, driven by long-term development strategies and effective mid-term plans. The government has made progress in addressing the labour market skills gap through the promotion of the Omanisation of the workforce. Key indicators, such as literacy and life expectancy rates, have improved due to increased investment in education and health care. Collaboration with international organisations has further enhanced the quality of health and education services, contributing to higher standards in both sectors. Additionally, the government has accelerated the adoption of digital technologies, modernising the health care and education systems. These efforts have improved the well-being of the population and equipped the workforce with the necessary skills to support economic diversification. As a result, Oman is building a more resilient and prosperous future, with a strong foundation in education and health that aligns with its broader development goals.

This chapter contains in interview with Saeed Hamad Al Rubaie, Vice-Chancellor, University of Technology and Applied Sciences.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Keys to success: Digital technologies and investment in the local workforce to fuel Omanisation and modernisation
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There has been a significant transformation in Oman’s education and health sectors in recent decades, supported by long-term development strategies and actionable mid-term plans. The government has experienced success in closing the labour market skills gap and encouraging the Omanisation of the workforce. Key indicators, such as literacy and life expectancy rates, have risen considerably in recent years as the government has invested more heavily in education and health care. Meanwhile, collaborations with international organisations have driven up health and learning standards, as well as accelerated modernisation and the adoption of digital…

Analysis

Digital futures: Curriculum updates address future labour market demands
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Oman’s government has long been working to decrease the skills gap between basic and higher education and the labour market, which still persists. Across the MENA region, recent graduates encounter market entry dynamics that reflect evolving workforce requirements and a diverse talent pool that includes experienced international professionals. UNICEF Oman estimates that around 20% of youths in the country are currently not in employment, education or training. Recent statistics from Oman’s Ministry of Labour (MoL) show that out of 100,000 jobseekers, 80,000 have never worked. Even during the post-pandemic peak, around 16% of private sector…

Interview

Higher demand: Saeed Hamad Al Rubaie, Vice-Chancellor, University of Technology and Applied Sciences, on utilising practical experience within targeted learning opportunities
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Interview: Saeed Hamad Al Rubaie Which strategies can Oman’s higher education institutions adopt to foster innovation and entrepreneurship among students? SAEED HAMAD AL RUBAIE: Higher education institutions must continuously evolve to meet the needs of an increasingly dynamic economy. The emphasis that Oman Vision 2040 places on economic diversification calls for an education system that nurtures creativity, problem solving and entrepreneurial thinking across all disciplines. One of the most…

Analysis

The metaverse in education: Building a digital landscape in institutes of higher learning
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In a bid to expand access, education is increasingly exploring the possibilities of the metaverse and extended-reality (XR) approaches. The former comprises a range of technologies that immerse users in a virtual environment. It denotes a 3D medium that combines virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) into a new digital realm, sometimes known as XR. These environments are accessed through VR headsets and are typically immersive, interactive and social. Expanding Access The world’s leading tech companies are investing heavily in XR. In 2021 Facebook rebranded as Meta, indicating how important it believes XR will become. Indeed, following…