MUSCAT : Bank Muscat, the leading financial services provider in the Sultanate of Oman, is among the pioneering institutions committed to creating an inclusive banking environment that meets the needs of all segments of society. In this context, Bank Muscat recently organized a two-day financial literacy workshop dedicated to male and female students with hearing impairments at the ScientificCollege of Design. The workshop saw the participation of more than 120 students from various disciplines and featured a range of interactive sessions and practical activities specifically designed to meet the needs of this group. The initiative aimed to equip participants with essential skills to manage their finances and make informed spending decisions. This initiative comes as part of Bank Muscat’s efforts to continue implementing the “Maliyat” financial literacy initiative, which seeks to promote financial awareness and highlight the importance of sound financial planning among different segments of society through innovative and inclusive educational and training programmes.

On this occasion, Talib Saif Al Makhmari, Head of Community and Media Relations at Bank Muscat, stated: “The Bank is one of the leading banking institutions in Oman that places great importance on empowering all segments of the society including persons with disabilities, by providing an inclusive banking environment tailored to their needs. Organizing such workshops for this segment of society reflects the Bank’s commitment to financial inclusion and social integration through the implementation of quality initiatives that empower persons with disabilities and enhance their role in development. Bank always remains focused on instilling financial literacy concepts and introducing modern methods of financial management, enabling them to better manage their financial resources and adapt to various life changes.”

Several participants voiced their experiences about the importance of such initiatives. Student Mohammed Hammad Al Kasbi stated: “Participating in the financial literacy workshop organized by Bank Muscat was a rich and inspiring experience. It allowed me to learn key financial management concepts in a simple and clear manner that takes into account our needs. My motivation to participate stemmed from my desire to develop my financial skills and prepare for my professional future with greater confidence. I greatly benefited from the information related to saving, financial planning, and the importance of managing expenses. I extend my sincere thanks to Bank Muscat for organizing this valuable initiative that contributes to empowering students and enhancing their financial awareness.”

Student Abdullah Ali Al Riyami also noted: “Organizing financial literacy workshops for college students, especially persons with disabilities, is extremely important as it equips us with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage our financial affairs efficiently. Such initiatives significantly enhance financial independence among youth and enable them to make well-informed decisions about their future. I would like to express my appreciation to Bank Muscat for these commendable efforts, which reflect its commitment to empowering all segments of society.”

From her side, student Thuraya Abdullah Al Nasri expressed her appreciation, saying: “I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Bank Muscat for organizing this purposeful initiative, which enhanced our financial knowledge and helped me acquire many important financial concepts and skills, such as how to prepare a personal budget, the principles of saving, and planning to achieve financial goals. The workshop positively changed my perspective on money management, making me more aware of the importance of proper financial planning and informed decision-making.” Similarly, student Jinan Khalil Al Muqbali emphasized the importance of financial awareness among students, noting that financial literacy plays a crucial role in building a stable future, achieving personal goals, and making sound financial decisions with confidence and independence. Such initiatives also contribute to boosting self-confidence and developing essential life skills. She expressed her gratitude to Bank Muscat for organizing this valuable workshop and for its continuous support for youth.

The “Maliyat” initiative is one of Bank Muscat’s sustainability and social responsibility programmes, focusing on promoting financial literacy within the community and equipping individuals with essential skills to manage various financial matters and make informed decisions, especially in light of current economic changes and their impact on the financial stability of individuals and families. Amongst the programmes offered is “Maliyat Academy”, a dedicated initiative for school students in partnership with the Ministry of Education. So far, it has benefited more than 100,000 students across different governorates of the Sultanate.

In addition, Bank Muscat offers the “Maliyat” programme as a free online platform providing financial literacy courses targeted at individuals across all age groups, including those with hearing and visual impairments. The Bank places strong emphasis on continuing to implement community service initiatives and programs as one of its core priorities, with more than 32,700 individuals from various social groups having benefited from the programme to date.