Symposium empowers Omani students for a sustainable future

MUSCAT: Dr Abdullah bin Khamis Ambusaidi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Education for Education, presided over the closing ceremony of the Financial Culture Symposium. The two-day symposium highlighted the importance of financial education for school students in Oman.

The closing ceremony featured a visual presentation of the symposium’s activities, a reading of the recommendations and the honouring of Khazna project partners.

The symposium’s key recommendation was to develop a comprehensive strategy for financial education in Omani schools. This initiative aims to equip students with essential skills in financial planning, saving and investment, and to integrate financial literacy into school curricula. The use of AI and digital financial technology was also emphasised as crucial for spreading financial knowledge among students.

The symposium also encouraged fostering partnerships with the banking sector to support initiatives that teach financial skills, including creating student companies and business incubators.

The MoE signed several cooperation agreements with private institutions

Additionally, the event called for optional subjects focused on financial education for students in grades 9-12, and for qualitative training programmes for teachers and career guidance specialists to help advance financial literacy.

Various speakers, including Dr Alya al Foori, Dr Khalid al Saadi, and Dr Maha Khalil Shahadha, contributed insightful papers on the role of financial education in building a sustainable economy, integrating financial technology and enhancing financial literacy through AI. The symposium concluded by stressing the need to involve civil society and parents in raising students’ financial awareness, which will help them make informed financial decisions in the future.

The Ministry of Education (MoE) also signed several cooperation agreements with private institutions, including Bank Muscat, Oman Arab Bank, and Sohar International Bank, to implement training programmes aimed at enhancing financial skills among school students. These partnerships will further solidify efforts to build a financially literate society.