29 September 2024 

 The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MTCIT), through its National Digital Transformation Programme ‘Tahawul’, announced today, Sunday, the launch of the ‘Governorates’ Digital Transformation Ambassadors Programme’. This initiative reflects a commitment to leveraging and maximising the expertise of national specialists, professionals and enthusiasts in digital transformation. These individuals, who possess the necessary passion and skills, will serve as ambassadors, contributing to the achievement of digital transformation goals and ensuring the active involvement of the Omani community in this process.

The Governorates’ Digital Transformation Ambassadors Programme targets citizens, residents, students, job seekers and retirees. It aims to select six ambassadors from each governorate, two of whom will be persons with disabilities. The programme also seeks to raise community awareness of digital services and smart, advanced digital solutions. Additionally, it promotes the shift towards a digital lifestyle as the optimal means of accessing government services, thereby enhancing satisfaction and acceptance among citizens.

Eng. Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Kharousi, Director General of Digital Transformation and Sector Empowerment at MTCIT, emphasised that the programme focuses on raising awareness and expanding knowledge about digital transformation, introducing the community to available digital services and demonstrating their role in improving quality of life and simplifying governmental procedures. It also highlights the latest technologies being used in this field. The programme further focuses on equipping the community with practical skills in using modern digital tools, such as electronic authentication, digital signatures, e-payment methods, smart applications and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies. These efforts aim to enable individuals to securely and efficiently access and benefit from digital services.

The Ambassadors in this programme will be categorised into three primary tiers: 

‘Initiator’ - Individuals with basic experience and a fundamental understanding of digital transformation and advanced technologies. 

‘Advanced’ - Individuals with intermediate experience in digital transformation, an advanced understanding of digital services and transformation technologies such as data analysis, AI, application development, cloud computing and cybersecurity. 

‘Expert’ - Individuals with extensive knowledge and experience in digital transformation, holding relevant certifications or academic degrees in the field. 

The selection process for the Governorates’ Digital Transformation Ambassadors involves several criteria to ensure the recruitment of qualified individuals who can effectively contribute to the programme’s objectives. These include residency within the governorate, an age range of 13 to 60 or older, successful completion of a personal interview and agreement to the conditions of joining the list of ambassadors with a commitment to ongoing participation. Candidates for advanced and expert levels must also provide proof of academic degrees or certifications. Additionally, participants must demonstrate fluency in Arabic, responsibility, a willingness to contribute to the community, communication skills and the ability to produce digital content.

Tahawul Programme adopts an institutional and community participation  approach as a foundation for implementing initiatives, ensuring the involvement of all government sector institutions and community members in achieving a transition from transactional to integrated, efficient performance, while increasing the use of digital services.

22 October, 2024

The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MTCIT), through the national Government Digital Transformation Programme ‘Tahawul’, announced today the successful conclusion of registration for the Governorates' Ambassadors for Digital Transformation Programme. The initiative aims to strengthen Oman’s digital transformation efforts, raise community awareness about advanced smart digital services and solutions and encourage a greater shift towards a fully digital lifestyle.

Eng. Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Kharousi, Director General of Digital Transformation and Sector Enablement at MTCIT, highlighted the strong interest shown by both citizens and residents in the Governorates' Ambassadors for Digital Transformation Programme, which received over 320 applications. He expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all the applicants for their enthusiasm and eagerness to be part of this effort. Al Kharousi also mentioned that the selected ambassadors will undergo comprehensive training, equipping them to serve their communities by helping individuals effectively use digital technologies and services. This initiative will play a key role in enhancing quality of life and fostering the growth of the digital economy.

A total of 66 ambassadors will be selected from various governorates across Oman, categorised into three key levels. The first level, "Initiator", is for those with a basic understanding and limited experience in digital transformation. The second level, "Advanced", includes individuals with intermediate experience and a solid grasp of advanced technologies such as data analytics, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, application development and cloud computing. The third level, "Specialist", is designed for individuals with deep expertise and extensive experience in digital transformation, supported by academic and professional qualifications.

Across all levels, the ambassadors will take on diverse roles, from raising awareness about digital services to promoting the use of smart applications, electronic payment systems and other cutting-edge technologies.

The Government Digital Transformation Programme, ‘Tahawul’, remains dedicated to providing the Ambassadors with the skills and knowledge they need to excel in their roles. Following a thorough evaluation of applications and interviews, the selected ambassadors will undergo specialised training. This will cover essential areas such as digital content creation, the use of modern technologies and smart applications and artificial intelligence techniques. The goal is to ensure that the Ambassadors are fully equipped to actively support digital transformation efforts and make a tangible impact on the development of digital services.

27 October, 2024

The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, through its Government Digital Transformation Programme, ‘Tahawul’, has signed a cooperation agreement with the University of Technology and Applied Sciences. This partnership will introduce a Master of Science (M.Sc.) programme in Digital Transformation and Innovation, aimed at promoting collaboration with academic institutions and equipping individuals with essential skills in creativity and innovation, all in support of Tahawul's strategic objectives.

The agreement was signed by Dr Ali bin Amer Al Shaidhani, Undersecretary for Communications and Information Technology at MTCIT and Dr Said bin Hamad Al-Rubaie, President of the University of Technology and Applied Sciences.

This initiative seeks to harness the value of the M.Sc. in Government Digital Transformation, aligning efforts to develop innovative, agile, and proactive government bodies. It supports the vision of Oman Vision 2040, which highlights the importance of fostering innovation and empowering national talent in the digital transformation space. The agreement also ensures that the Master’s programme remains aligned with the evolving needs of government digital transformation through regular curriculum reviews, project evaluations, research activities and student admissions. 

H.E. Al-Shaidhani emphasized that the agreement underscores the Ministry’s dedication to collaborating with educational institutions to achieve long-term digital transformation. The aim is to prepare national talents with the skills necessary to create innovative government services capable of addressing future challenges. He stressed that coordinating both academic and practical efforts is a key element in the successful execution of the digital transformation programme, in line with Oman Vision 2040.

Under the agreement, the Ministry will provide access to its databases of digital transformation plans, projects, and evaluation outcomes to enhance research and project work within the M.Sc. programme. Students will also have opportunities to present their research and projects at high-profile events such as COMEX, GITEX, LEAP, and other global conferences. Furthermore, the Ministry will offer students consultations on digital transformation research, assist with surveys, and organize interviews. Workshops on change management and innovation will be integrated throughout the Master’s programme. Additionally, Master’s students will be involved in discussions about improving government services through the Manjam Labs initiative.

H.E. Al-Rubaie expressed his appreciation for the Ministry’s support of the education sector, highlighting the significance of this partnership. He stated, “This initiative is part of our ongoing efforts to enhance our academic offerings to meet national objectives and prepare a workforce capable of driving digital transformation in Oman. We deeply value our collaboration with MTCIT and look forward to further joint accomplishments in innovation and development.”

He also announced that the university will provide five free seats in the programme each year to government digital transformation specialists nominated by the Ministry, provided they meet the admission criteria. The university will encourage students to base their graduation projects and research on topics proposed by the Ministry and will participate in awareness and promotional activities related to the Government Digital Transformation Programme and initiatives aimed at improving digital services and solutions.

This agreement marks a significant step forward in strengthening the collaboration between the Government Digital Transformation Programme and academic institutions. It will prepare specialised national talent to lead digital transformation in Oman and foster innovation, in alignment with the government’s development goals outlined in Oman Vision 2040.

10  September 2024

The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MTCIT), through the Directorate General of Digital Transformation and Sector Empowerment, held a training session on digital participation in the government sector. The event brought together representatives from various government institutions and information and communications technology specialists. This initiative is part of the Ministry's ongoing efforts to strengthen and promote digital participation and fully leverage advanced technologies, in line with the goals of the Government Digital Transformation Programme 2021-2025.

The two-day training session aimed to increase awareness of the Digital Participation Guidelines and offer practical training on its key principles. It also focused on strengthening the role of government institutions in using digital participation tools to enable effective and inclusive communication with the public.

Engineer AbdulAziz Abdulrahman Al Kharusi, Director General of Digital Transformation and Sector Empowerment at MTCIT, emphasised that digital participation is a key strategy for increasing community involvement in government decision-making. By engaging beneficiaries in discussions and gathering their feedback, this approach helps improve government services and ensures that policies and services better address the public's actual needs. 

Additionally, digital participation fosters transparency and credibility, strengthens the relationship between the government and the community, builds trust in government institutions and improves the effectiveness of project and initiative execution. The Ministry remains dedicated to advancing digital participation tools and methods to fully utilize modern technologies and better meet citizens' expectations.

The session covered a detailed review of the digital participation policy and introduced the Digital Participation Guidelines. It focused on using digital tools and best practices for running participation activities. Positive government examples of digital participation were shared, including a success story from the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA). The TRA emphasised that the key to successful digital participation is giving people the right information, allowing them to ask informed questions and involving them in meaningful discussions about services, policies and improvements. The Authority also stressed the importance of using communication technology to involve people in government decisions about policies and public services.

The training session also discussed the main challenges faced when implementing digital participation in the government sector. These included difficulties in effective communication between government institutions and beneficiaries as well as issues with integrating digital tools. Solutions were proposed, such as improving ongoing staff training programmes and developing better communication strategies. Participants stressed the importance of continuing efforts to meet digital transformation goals and encourage meaningful community participation, ultimately leading to the benefits of digital participation and producing real positive results.

Digital participation offers several tangible benefits, including faster and easier collection of feedback from beneficiaries on challenges and needed solutions. It also boosts the return on investment in digital services by targeting the real needs of the public. By promoting interaction between government units and beneficiaries, whether individuals or organisations, digital participation increases public support for government projects and initiatives, encouraging commitment to their implementation. This, in turn, deepens the adoption of digital transformation by involving beneficiaries in policymaking and the design of new digital services.

In addition, digital participation helps create decision-making processes that are more collaborative and transparent between government units and the public, leading to more effective outcomes. It also promotes digital inclusivity, empowering beneficiaries to tackle future challenges as technology continues to evolve rapidly.

 As part of the "Tahawul" Government Digital Transformation Program’s mission to harness modern technologies for enhanced efficiency and innovation in government services, the Dhofar Governorate set new benchmarks in enriching the visitor experience during the Khareef season. Through the development of cutting-edge digital applications and services, Dhofar has delivered a truly exceptional experience, meeting the evolving needs of the community and significantly enhancing quality of life.

Digital Innovations Enriching Khareef Dhofar Visitor Experience

Dhofar Seasons

One of the standout digital innovations introduced by the Governorate is the "Dhofar Seasons" app. This comprehensive guide has redefined the tourist experience during the Khareef season, allowing visitors to explore a wide array of cultural and entertainment events, tailor activities to their interests, and access detailed information on Dhofar’s most breathtaking tourist attractions such as   its majestic mountains, pristine beaches and its lush green plains. the app also provides crucial information on accommodations and dining options. Since its launch, "Dhofar Seasons" has been downloaded 145,000 times, with users expressing high satisfaction with the app’s ability to offer a seamless and enriched experience.

Absher

The "Absher" app plays a vital role in improving the quality of life within the Dhofar Governorate, offering an array of essential services aimed at environmental cleanliness, road and green space maintenance, and parking reservations. This season alone, "Absher" has attracted 4,071 users, facilitating 547 transactions, including 230 for road and lighting services, 146 for pest control, 104 for environmental sanitation, and 67 for garden and landscaping services. Users have lauded the app for its user-friendly interface, noting significant improvements in mobility and access to environmental services.

Sekka

"Sekka" is designed to simplify the rental process for residential units during the Khareef Dhofar season. The app enables users to search for and list a variety of real estate options for rent, offering detailed information on nearby services. "Sekka" has been instrumental in enhancing the visitor experience by providing fast and reliable accommodation solutions. Since its launch, the app has been downloaded 29,088 times, receiving widespread praise for its unique and practical features.

Through these pioneering digital projects, the Dhofar Governorate has demonstrated its commitment to implementing innovative solutions that cater to community needs and improve the quality of life. These applications have significantly enhanced the visitor experience by providing comprehensive, accurate information on tourist events, mobility services, and accommodation, thereby boosting user experience efficiency and underscoring the Governorate’s dedication to excellence in digital transformation.

"Tahawul" program emphasizes the urgency of accelerating digital transformation initiatives, prioritizing them as essential to the current phase of development. The program will continue to offer robust support and guidance to government institutions, ensuring the implementation of best practices and standards in digital project execution.

Moreover, "Tahawul" program is committed to bolstering Oman’s digital economy by acting as a catalyst for government-led digital initiatives and services aimed at businesses and individuals. It plays a critical role in enhancing digital infrastructure, fostering innovation, expanding digital services, and empowering competencies in digital transformation. The program is also key to facilitating Oman’s transition to a connected, efficient, and inclusive digital society that benefits all members of the community.

December 31,2024

The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MTCIT) on Sunday organised the first meeting of heads of teams tasked with the ‘management of change and digital transition’ in government institutions.

The meeting was part of a series of gatherings that has been initiated to expedite the process of digital transition in the government sector, with the prime objective of realising the goals and indices of the Government Digital Transition Programme 2021-2025.

The meeting discussed the importance of activating the role of change management teams to ensure the success of digital transformation plans in government institutions, and of the executive plan for the national change management strategy to implement several digital transformation programmes in 2024.

The meeting also reviewed the unified national portal for e-government services, the challenges facing change management teams in government institutions, and ways to contribute to the change management goals in the Government Digital Transition Programme for 2024 in solving these challenges.
The meeting also reviewed change stories for projects in digital transformation to focus on how to manage the human element and direct it towards new technology effectively and constructively to ensure full benefit from digital transformation.
 

It stressed the importance of enhancing interaction between change management teams in government institutions to accelerate the work of digital transformation teams and the necessity of transferring knowledge and benefiting from successful experiences.

During the meeting, a ‘change management knowledge community’ was announced. The community will help accelerate digital transition and secure its success and sustainability.

Source: Muscat Daily

December 10, 2023

The Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology, represented by the General Directorate for Digital Transformation and Sector Empowerment, is implementing a series of specialised workshops to execute the first phase of the Unified National Portal for Electronic Government Services. The initiative involves the participation of representatives from government institutions targeted in the first phase.

The initiative aims to efficiently and securely provide citizens and residents with government services through a unified electronic gateway. The launch involved specialised workshops to engage relevant government entities in the initial phase of the project, emphasising the portal's role as a centralised electronic gateway for users to access government information and services.

The workshop discussed the involvement of service providers in the unified portal, focusing on documenting all aspects of the project, maintaining key project agreements and decisions, ensuring effective communication among stakeholders, providing necessary data and updates, coordinating internal portal project tasks, and adapting to changing project requirements.

In the first phase, priority services from various government institutions, such as the Ministries of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology, Housing and Urban Planning, the Royal Oman Police, and others, are targeted for inclusion in the unified portal.

The user journey in the portal includes clear guidance on completing services step-by-step, easy and quick searching of available government services, real-time tracking of user requests, and personalised dashboards for users. The workshop also covered the criteria for selecting services in the unified portal, considering different maturity levels (electronic, semi-electronic, manual) and the impact of essential services on users' life paths. Additionally, the session highlighted the evaluation mechanism based on surveys to assess business and technical requirements at the service provider level.

The project's objectives include creating a unified portal consolidating all government electronic services, providing a standardised user experience, offering data-driven services with strategic design based on data analysis, and digitizing manual services using embedded tools and communication technologies.

Source: Times of Oman

January 29, 2024

Today, Sunday, the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology launched the “Edaad” program for leaders of change in its second edition. Which comes within the ministry’s efforts to empower digital transformation teams in government institutions and achieve the goals and indicators of the government digital transformation program 2021-2025, and continues for a week with the participation of 8 government institutions: the National Documents and Archives Authority, the Interior Governorate, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Labor, the Ministry of Education, The Civil Aviation Authority, the State Financial and Administrative Control Authority and the Royal Oman Police.

The “Edaad” program aims to qualify and prepare those responsible for implementing change management strategies in digital transformation teams in government institutions and grant them accredited specialized certificates in change management, in addition to providing enabling platforms and tools that will help them carry out the work entrusted to them professionally.

During the first day, focus was placed on the importance of change management and its impact in accelerating and doubling the success of the government digital transformation program 2021-2025, and the importance of the role of change leaders in accelerating their organizations’ work in digital transformation, instilling a culture of change, and transferring the knowledge gained from the program to their teams.

A study published by Prossay this year was also reviewed about the most prominent changes that are expected to occur in institutions in various sectors around the world in the year 2024 AD. The study indicates that the top 5 changes will focus on the following: information technology and digital transformation (37%), Regulatory Changes and Compliance (10%), Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change (9%), Talent Retention and People Change (9%), and Cultural and Organizational Change (9%), which underscores the importance of managing change in IT and digital transformation in more systematic and precise ways.

Then, the change journey of the government digital transformation program 2021-2025 was highlighted, and the role of change leaders in transferring the knowledge gained from the program to their teams, and adopting and supporting leadership to accelerate the work of the program, in addition to discussing the challenges facing government institutions in advancing the wheel of digital transformation.

The program will continue until Thursday, February 1, 2024, and the change leaders in the digital transformation teams in government institutions are expected at the end of the program to come up with 10 change plans for digital transformation ready to be implemented in their institutions.

April 24,2024

The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MTCIT) announced the launch of its first edition of the Government Digital Excellence Award 2024. This initiative is part of the Sultanate's ongoing commitment to accelerate digital transformation and to foster innovation within the government sector in alignment with Oman Vision 2040 and to enhance Oman's potential to improve its ranking in the global competitiveness index for e-government development, increase awareness, and foster the adoption of innovation and digital transformation culture in the governmental sector.

“In an era where digitisation is paramount for progress, the Government Digital Excellence Award aims to enhance the momentum of digital transformation in this sector towards greater efficiency, inclusivity, and innovation. The award embodies our shared commitment to harnessing the latest technologies in governmental services while setting new standards for excellence in service delivery, serving as a beacon for others to follow suit.," said H.E. ENG. Saeed bin Hamoud Al Mawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology.

“The Government Digital Excellence Award aims to enhance digital services and utilise advanced technologies to establish an agile and innovative administrative apparatus that shapes the future. Additionally, it aims to promote adopting a digital transformation culture, stimulate outstanding national competencies, recognise exceptional achievements, and reward outstanding entities in accelerating the fulfilment of digital transformation requirements,” He added.

The Government Digital Excellence Award will be organised within four main tracks: Entities, the categories include 'Best Government Entity for Achieving Digital Transformation' and 'Best Performing Entity in Achieving Outstanding Digital User Experience and Beneficiary Satisfaction'. Initiatives are celebrated through 'Best Integrated Initiative for Digital Transformation', 'Best Initiative for Digital Participation' and 'Best Initiative in Innovation and Use of Advanced Technologies'. In the Services realm, awards are given for 'Best Digital Government Service Provided to Beneficiaries' and 'Best Digital Government Service Provided to the Business Sector'. Lastly, under Competencies, the awards distinguish 'Best Team Leader for Government Digital Transformation' and 'Best Digital Change Leader'. Each category is precisely devised to encapsulate the full spectrum of digital excellence within the governmental domain.

It is worth mentioning that the Digital Excellence Award in the government sector represents a significant step towards realising the country's digital aspirations by recognising the efforts made in the field of digital transformation and innovation in governmental institutions. This initiative reflects Oman's commitment to supporting the national digital ecosystem to move forward.

For additional information, details about the award and to apply, please visit the following link: 

https://www.mtcit.gov.om/ITAPortal/Pages/Page.aspx?NID=292734&PID=961861