Eidaad aims to bridge gap between academia and industry

Muscat: The Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, in partnership with Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), has launched the fifth phase of the National Programme for Training University Students, 'Eidaad'. Dr Rahma bint Ibrahim al Mahrouqiyah, Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation

(MoHERI) inaugurated the event in Muscat.

The 'Eidaad' programme targets students in their penultimate year at both public and private higher education institutions. Over the course of a year, the programme aims to equip these students with essential skills by immersing them in real work environments.

This initiative is a strategic effort to enhance collaboration between the industrial and academic sectors, thereby bridging the gap between them. By providing participants with the necessary technical expertise, knowledge, and skills, the programme aligns the educational outputs with the demands of the labour market.

The launch event also saw the introduction of the ‘Specialisations Harmonisation Initiative’ and the signing of cooperation protocols between industrial and academic sectors. These measures aim to systematically link the two sectors, creating structured training opportunities for university students.

Hamad bin Saif al Hadhrami, Director of the 'Eidaad' Programme and Director of External Training and Development at PDO, emphasised the programme's evolution since its inception in the academic year 2020/2021.

Initially, the programme included a limited number of students and institutions—five universities and six industrial and private sector entities. It has since expanded to encompass all higher education institutions.

Al Hadhrami outlined ambitious plans for the future, including collaboration with the Oman Oil Development Company to incorporate scholarship students into the programme. He highlighted the programme's goal to expose students to key projects and challenges in various fields, enhancing their problem-solving skills, fostering cooperation, and boosting their confidence to thrive in any work environment.

Dr Yasser al Harthy, an expert in studies and research at the ministry, stated the E'daad Programme focuses on preparing higher education students for the labour market.

The latest phase includes participation from banks, an increase in training grants, and a wider array of specialisations. This diversification encourages industrial institutions to play a pivotal role in training students, providing them with practical experience before graduation and entry into the workforce.