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Education and Research Committee discusses role of technical education in the knowledge economy

The Education and Research Committee of the State Council on Tuesday, held its fifth meeting of the third annual session of the sixth period, chaired by Hon.Mr.Abdullah bin Mubarak Al-Shanfari, the Committee head, in the presence of the honourable members of the Committee.
 
The meeting hosted Dr.Wajiha Thabit Al-A'ni, Professor in the Department of Educational and Management of the Faculty of Education-Sultan Qaboos University, Sheikha bint Nasser Al Akhzamiyah, and Director of Innovation Affairs at SQU.   
Qais bin Rashid al-Toobi, Director of Edlal e-learning platform and Haitham Al Toobi from Edlal e-learning platform to discuss   the Committee's study themed "The role of education in supporting the knowledge-based economy".
The Committee discussed with the guests a number of axes related to the development of the education system to support the knowledge-based economy through education legislation, the complementarity features between the education strategy, the scientific research strategy and the National Strategy for innovation and the development of various aspects of the educational system.
The Committee addressed the role of human resources and technology in knowledge creation by strengthening the capacity of the educational cadre, the optimum utilization of the student skills and awareness of the importance of technology in knowledge creation.
The Committee highlighted the need to promote investment in education by building a partnership with the private sector in knowledge creation, creating the necessary environment for the realization of the principle of investment in education, and awareness of the capacities and skills of graduates.
Community awareness and partnership comes by sensitizing society to the importance of knowledge-based economy by collaborating with society, activating the role of civil society and various initiatives in the areas of cognitive development and knowledge production.
Dr.Wajiha Thabit Al-A'ni made a visual presentation on the development of the education system to support the Omani knowledge economy. It detailed its principles and objectives, the ninth five-year plan of the Sultanate; and directions of the Education Council Education for accelerated technological development and the impact of globalization. It also touched on the changes in labour market requirements. The presentation mentioned the global trends in scientific research and innovation, and harmonizing Educational output and the labour market.
It dealt with the features of good citizenship, the promotion of national development and the management of human resources based on the knowledge-based economy.  During the visual presentation, Al-A'ni stated that the concept of the national economy would be soon replaced by the cross-border knowledge economy and shift from a large corporate economy to a small enterprise-based economy.
Dr.Wajeh also addressed the subject of education in the knowledge-based economy.  He delivered a presentation on the Edlal Platform for knowledge sharing, its characteristics and advantages.  The presentation also addressed educational areas, target groups and the platform's work mechanisms, as well as the positive effects of e learning across the platform.
The Innovative Open Learning Platform provides short online video courses, Distance Training and Education in Arabic Language, to share knowledge, experiences and skills in dynamic and Interactive environment.