Oman Observer

Oman attends Austria meet
MUSCAT — The Sultanate, represented by the Manpower Ministry, is taking part in the General Assembly Meeting of the World Skills International Organisation in Austria which started yesterday. The meeting discusses vocational skills competitions conducted by the organization worldwide which highlights the importance of excellence in vocational training. The Sultanate won the first rank in the first GCC Vocational Skills Competition held in last March in Al Ain, UAE, with 7 gold, silver and bronze medals. The Sultanate is qualified for the world competitions due to be held in Canada next year.
— ONA

Muscat Idol 2008 finalists named
MUSCAT — Talent Hunters, organisers of the popular annual talent hunt competition Muscat Idol 2008, have identified the line-up of expatriate finalists for this year’s event. A similar shortlist of Omani/Arabic singers will also be announced soon, according to Dr Sanjay Dalal, founder director of Talent Hunters. The grand finale will be held on Thursday, November 6, at the City Amphitheatre, Qurum. The organisers have earmarked RO 5000 from the proceeds to the well-known charity Dar Al Atta’a.
— By A Staff Reporter

Higher Ed Council meets

MUSCAT — The Higher Education Council yesterday held its second meeting for 2008 under the Chairmanship of Sayyid Ali bin Hamoud al Busaidy, Minister of the Diwan of the Royal Court. Sayyid Ali greeted His Majesty Sultan Qaboos on the advent of the holy month of Ramadhan praying to the Almighty to grant His Majesty continued good health.

MUSCAT — His Highness Sayyid Haitham bin Tareq al Said, Minister of Heritage and Culture, will preside over the inauguration ceremony of the first Oman-printed edition of the Holy Quran, the launching of the electronic Holy Quran and opening of the ‘Islamic Art in Oman’ exhibition today at the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Bousher it was announced...

OCO's iftar aid covers 20,000 needy families

MUSCAT — The Oman Charitable Organisation has ramped up its Ramadhan food aid distribution programme, providing welcome succour to needy families already hard-pressed by soaring food prices. OCO's Executive President Ali Ibrahim Shenoon al Raisi said the expanded iftar programme now covers an impressive 20,000 needy families across the Sultanate.

Students excel at NTI

MUSCAT — It has been an incredibly exciting year for the Financial Studies Division of National Training Institute (NTI) with outstanding results being registered in the courses of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Certified Accounting Technician (CAT) and Association of Business Executives (ABE).

Biotechnology start-up is Big Business Idea

MUSCAT — Mazoon Environmental and Technical Services, established in June 2008 by science graduates Rayan al Kalbani and Yaqoob al Mahrooqi, have won this year's Big Business Idea Compeition. This was announced here yesterday at the the 2008 TKM — Ernst & Young Big Business Idea Competition (BBIC).