SUHAR: Sohar University, in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation (MoHERI), and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), organised the Forum on Elevating Intellectual Property, Research, and Innovation in Oman. The event was held at the Sohar University campus on October 2, 3, under the patronage of Prof Rahma Ibrahim Al Mahrouqi, Minister of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation.
The forum addressed critical issues related to intellectual property, emphasising its importance as a tool for fostering innovation and supporting researchers and innovators within the Sultanate. It featured nine distinguished experts and specialists in the field of intellectual property, both from within Oman and internationally. Representatives from WIPO also attended. Participating entities included Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology, Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion, Sultan Qaboos University, UTAS, Omani Intellectual Property Association, SME Development Authority, and more.
Dr Hamdan Al Fazari, Vice Chancellor of Sohar University, in his keynote speech said, “Oman 2040 Vision focuses strongly on higher education, research, and innovation to enhance national capacities. Research and innovation are fundamental components of any successful university and any successful country, as they are critical to the economic and social well-being of society. Research, at both the university and national levels, is crucial for driving innovation, economic growth, and societal progress. Countries and universities that prioritise research invest in developing new knowledge, technologies, and solutions to address pressing challenges and improve the quality of life.”
Mohamed Abderraouf Bdioui, Senior Counsellor, WIPO Academy, emphasised the forum's role in consolidating the national endeavour towards achieving Oman Vision 2040, stating, “The forum also comes to consolidate the national endeavour towards reaching 'Oman Vision 2040', which WIPO continuously supports by assisting Oman in its transformation into a knowledge and innovation-based economy.” Dr Rahma Al Mahrouqi also delivered a speech highlighting the forum's significance.
The first day included multiple working papers, starting with 'IP, Research & Innovation: Government Perspective in the Context of Oman’s Vision 2040,' presented by Muhanna Al Zuheimi from the MoHERI. This was followed by a presentation from Julio Raffo, Head of Innovation Economy Section, WIPO Geneva, on 'Making Innovation Policy Work for Development: Insights from World Intellectual Property Report 2024.'
Further discussions encompassed topics such as 'High-Tech, Intellectual Property, and Open Knowledge Ecosystem,' presented by Dr Said Jaboob from the University of Technology and Applied Sciences, and 'Intellectual Property Challenges in the Era of Artificial Intelligence,' presented by Hamdan Al Alawi from the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology. Additionally, Michael Mbogoro, Head of the Technology Transfer Section at WIPO, delivered a paper on 'Moving Ideas from Research to Market.'
During the forum, several significant agreements were signed, including a Memorandum of Agreement between Sohar University and the Indian Institute of Management, and another MoU between Sohar University and the Sultan Qaboos Naval Academy. A collaboration document was also signed between the Environment Authority, Vale Oman, and Sohar University.
The first day concluded with a panel discussion on Opportunities and Q&A, featuring contributions from Mohamed Abderraouf Bdioui, Muhanna Al Zuheimi, Hamdan Al Alawi, and Dr Said Jaboob, moderated by Nur Naha, Dean of the Faculty of Business at Sohar University.
This global forum significantly contributes to raising awareness of the importance of intellectual property and its pivotal role in supporting innovation and sustainable development in Oman.
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