Wednesday 06 / May / 2026
Al Buraimi: Al Buraimi Science and Innovation Centre was inaugurated on Wednesday in Al Buraimi Governorate to the tune of OMR618,000, funded by OQ Refineries and Petroleum Industries.
The opening ceremony was held under the auspices of Dr. Madiha Ahmed Al Shaibani, Minister of Education.
The project spans an area exceeding 61,000 square meters and features an integrated system of educational and technical facilities. These include innovation and robotics laboratories, a planetarium, a mini-science museum, and an educational cinema, alongside specialized halls for scientific modeling and applied technology.
The center is expected to serve 54 public and private schools, as well as universities and colleges in Al Buraimi Governorate. It aims to benefit more than 18,000 students from public and private schools, colleges, and universities, in addition to teaching, administrative, and technical staff, thereby fostering a learning environment that stimulates innovation.
Furthermore, the center offers advanced educational programs, including scientific laboratories, innovation workshops, and digital learning environments, while supporting student projects and implementing specialized scientific programs and competitions to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.
The center represents an investment in developing the educational system in the Sultanate of Oman by providing advanced learning environments that encourage creative thinking and support innovation. The role of OQ Refineries and Petroleum Industries is reflected in utilizing its investments to support educational initiatives related to science, technology, and innovation, while enhancing integration with the Ministry of Education to implement pioneering programs that build student capabilities and equip them with future skills.
Additionally, the center solidifies the contribution of education to the knowledge-based economy by providing students with applied skills, enhancing the readiness of the future workforce, and creating a supportive environment for innovation and entrepreneurship.
The benefits of the centre extend to supporting SMEs and stimulating the development of practical, innovative solutions, which contributes to providing quality job opportunities and enhancing economic diversification. The center serves as a supportive platform for preparing national cadres capable of contributing to the knowledge economy, in line with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040.
Saif Hamad Al Abdali, Director General of Education in Al Buraimi Governorate, explained that the Al Buraimi Science and Innovation Center is a qualitative addition to the educational system in the governorate.
He noted that it provides an interactive learning environment that supports the development of student skills in science, technology, and innovation, helps link theoretical knowledge with practice, fosters a culture of research and exploration among youth, and builds future skills to support the knowledge-based economy.
For his part, Omar Mohammed Al Abri, Director General of Corporate Affairs at OQ Refineries and Petroleum Industries, emphasized the significance of the project, stating that the establishment of the Al Buraimi Science and Innovation Center embodies the company's commitment to supporting innovation and enhancing the educational process. He added that it represents a practical extension of OQ Group’s social investment strategy aimed at empowering education and youth, and building capacities in the fields of science, technology, and entrepreneurship.
He further noted that the center focuses on providing a stimulating educational and applied environment that contributes to transforming ideas into value-added initiatives and projects for society, reinforcing the transition toward an economy based on knowledge and innovation.
Al Abri explained that the project reflects OQ's commitment to continued investment in initiatives with sustainable impact and enhancing its role as a strategic partner in supporting national development paths and building a more diversified and sustainable economy.
