العربية
Professor Jabbar Yousif and Dr. Mahmood Al-Bahri from the Faculty of Computing and Information Technology at Sohar University served as keynote speakers at the second Open Arab University Youth Forum, held under the patronage of Her Excellency Prof. Rahma Al-Mahrouqi, Minister of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation. The forum, which took place on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, featured extensive participation from specialists, experts, and academics, and was inaugurated under the theme “Innovation and the Future of Jobs.” The forum aims to contribute to achieving one of the targets of Oman Vision 2024, which seeks to build a national system with competitive dynamic capabilities and skills locally and globally.
Professor Jabbar Youssef emphasized that technological advancement plays a crucial role in developing innovation skills, entrepreneurship, and generating new, creative ideas. He presented key modern experiences that help foster innovation and creativity, leading to the invention of marketable products locally and globally. He noted that entrepreneurs must possess strength and determination, coupled with knowledge through continuous learning to study and analyze labor market needs. He also addressed the types of sustainable professions that will be central to competition in the job market over the next ten years.
Dr. Mahmoud Al-Bahri highlighted the importance of bridging the gap between academic research and entrepreneurship by transforming student graduation projects into viable startups. He stressed the role of innovation in achieving sustainability goals, emphasizing the necessity of equipping students with an entrepreneurial mindset and essential skills to turn their ideas into marketable products. Key points included identifying real-world problems that align with sustainability initiatives, promoting creativity and critical thinking, and providing resources such as mentorship, funding, and incubator support. By encouraging students to view their graduation projects as the foundation for building future companies, the forum aims to cultivate a new generation of innovators who can contribute to sustainable development through entrepreneurship, in line with Oman Vision 2040.