MOE SYMPOSIUM TO FOCUS ON CREATING ENTREPRENEURIAL MINDSET IN YOUTHS

L-R: Dr Nasser al Ghanboushi, director of research studies and technical support, MoE, Dr Badar Hamoud al Kharousi and Dr Sana al Balushi

The Ministry of Education (MoE) will be conducting a national symposium, ‘Education for Entrepreneurship and Innovation’ from September 22 to 24 at the Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton HOTEL.

The symposium is aimed at creating an entrepreneurial mindset through which learners, educators and other concerned individuals can adopt a positive attitude towards entrepreneurship and foster their skills and knowledge. Dr Sana al Balushi, director general of National Centre of Career Guidance, MoE, said, “Entrepreneurship education has been given greater attention in educational systems all over the world. This is due to a number of challenges, one of which is youth unemployment.

“Therefore, entrepreneurship is promoted in educational systems to stimulate economic development and bridge the gap between educational outcome and demands of labour market.”

She added, “The ministry in cooperation with The Research Council has designed a pilot programme to promote innovation and entrepreneurship skills in schools. Based on that, a number of activities has been planned to improve curricula.”

This event is a follow-up of the national SME development symposium held last year. It is aimed at identifying the competencies that educational outcomes in the sultanate should acquire to meet labour market demands. Dr Badar Hamoud al Kharousi, director general for human resources development, said, “We have many initiatives where the students are taking interest in SMEs and starting their own businesses.

“We have encouraged them to come up with innovative business ideas and creative projects. We have also involved specialists from reputed institutions to help us in this matter.”