MUSCAT – The programme seeks to foster a culture of independent work and entrepreneurship among school students. It is being implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and the SMEs Development Authority (Riyada).

The three-month programme, which began on July 7, 2025 and will run until September 18, is being implemented in 11 training institutions across the Sultanate of Oman. The institutions include Sohar University, the Junior Development Center in Sur, Ibri Club, the Sultan Qaboos Youth Compound for Culture and Entertainment in Salalah, the Youth Center in Al Khuwair, Al Sharqiyah University in Ibra, Oman Across the Ages Museum in Manah, ‘Wali Hall’ in A’Rustaq, the Special Economic Zone Authority in Duqm and Khasab Sports Club.

The programme targets 330 school students (male and female) of grades 10, 11, and 12—at a rate of 30 participants from each governorate.

The programme offers comprehensive professional and cultural training content that enhances the students’ understanding of freelance work and provides them with the skills needed to provide digital services and deal with clients. ‘Mustaqil’ also coaches the students by enabling them to develop professional portfolios on freelance platforms. It inculcates early entrepreneurial thinking in the students so that they can establish viable small businesses.

According to Samira Al Tal’ee, Head of the Education Ministry’s Entrepreneurship Department at the Career Guidance Centre, the ‘Mustaqil’ program constitutes a step forward in guiding students to associate academic education with practical reality.

She added that, due to rapid economic developments, freelancing has become a major career path. She pointed out that ‘Mustaqil’ responds to this reality by developing early professional awareness and enabling students to transform their passion for business into practical sources of income.

For her part, Halima Ibrahim Al Balushi, Career Guidance Supervisor in Muscat Governorate, stressed the importance of the program in promoting awareness about digital opportunities. The program enables students to develop professional profiles on freelancing platforms, she explained.
She pointed out that ‘Mustaqil’ is an interactive programme that helps students discover their skills in a stimulating and professional environment.

It represents a model of institutions’ contribution to support and empowering youth in line with the goals of Oman Vision 2040. It helps raise a productive, independent and business-minded generation that is capable of taking the initiative to develop a digital, economic future.