Muscat: Reaffirming its commitment to supporting national initiatives that promote knowledge and innovation and encourage future generations to explore science and technology, Bank Muscat, the leading financial services provider in the Sultanate of Oman, has signed a cooperation agreement with the Ministry of Education to sponsor the upcoming Oman Science Festival 2026 as the Banking Sponsor. The signing ceremony was held under the patronage of H.E Dr. Madiha bint Ahmed Al Shaibani, Minister of Education, and in the presence of a number of officials from the public and private sectors. The agreement was signed on behalf of the Ministry of Education by H.E. Dr. Intisar bint Abdullah Ambosaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education for Educational Support Programs, and on behalf of Bank Muscat by Sheikha bint Yousuf Al Farsi, Deputy Chief Executive Officer – Operations. The partnership reflects the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors in supporting initiatives that contribute to building a knowledge- and innovation-driven society.

The fifth edition of the festival is scheduled to take place from 2 to 11 November at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre under the theme “Science Behind Everything.” This year, Bank Muscat’s participation will be presented under the theme “The Science Behind Banking,” highlighting the connection between science, technology and innovation on one hand, and the banking and financial services sector on the other. It will also showcase the role of science in developing modern banking solutions, enhancing customer experience and improving operational efficiency.

Commenting on the occasion, Sheikha bint Yousuf Al Farsi, Deputy Chief Executive Officer – Operations at Bank Muscat, said: “We are pleased to continue our partnership with the Ministry of Education through our sponsorship of this year’s Oman Science Festival, which has established itself as an important national platform for fostering interest in science, knowledge and innovation across society. Our support for the festival stems from our belief that investing in knowledge and innovation is an investment in Oman’s future. It also reflects our commitment to supporting the objectives of Oman Vision 2040, which places the development of a knowledge- and innovation-based economy and society among its key priorities.”

Bank Muscat’s support for the Oman Science Festival builds on its successful participation in the fourth edition, which brought together around 2,500 participants from 120 institutions and featured more than 500 diverse activities held across several locations at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre. The festival also witnessed strong attendance and engagement from different segments of society. During the previous edition, Bank Muscat’s participation featured a range of activities focused on promoting financial literacy, including the use of modern interactive screens that provided visitors of different age groups with an innovative educational and informative experience, in addition to competitions and interactive activities that attracted significant public interest.

The partnership between Bank Muscat and the Ministry of Education continues through the implementation of a range of initiatives, including the Maliyat Academy programmes, which have so far reached more than 800 schools and over 170,000 male and female students across the Sultanate of Oman. This is in addition to supporting events and activities organised by educational directorates across various governorates. The Bank also contributes to empowering students at the Ministry’s Omar bin Al Khattab Institute for the Blind by providing advanced educational equipment, in addition to supporting the “Rikaz” Entrepreneurship Competition. This reflects the Bank’s strong belief in the importance of such initiatives in empowering national talents and fostering a culture of innovation among young people. 

Innovation and knowledge remain key priorities for Bank Muscat across its operations. The Bank continues to launch initiatives and programmes that support innovation in banking and the delivery of best-in-class services. These include the development of digital channels and investment in the latest technological solutions, as well as encouraging employees to propose innovative ideas that enhance customer experience. The Bank also organises workshops targeting different segments of society, including school students, to promote creative thinking and encourage innovation, while continuing its programmes supporting and developing entrepreneurs and start-ups.

Bank Muscat continues to support various national initiatives and programmes in partnership with government institutions and community organisations, targeting different segments of society across a range of areas, including education, youth, sports, healthcare, entrepreneurship and sustainability. These efforts are aligned with the Sultanate of Oman’s priorities and the objectives of Oman Vision 2040.