Sohar Aluminium Company L.L.C (SA) and the University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS) Suhar celebrated the inauguration of the Emerging Technologies Lab at UTAS Suhar, under the auspices of His Excellency Eng. Omar bin Hamdan Al-Ismaili, Chief Executive Officer of Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA). The inauguration ceremony was attended by His Excellency Dr. Said Hamed Al Rubaie, Vice-Chancellor of University of Technology and Applied Sciences and Eng. Said bin Mohammed Al Masoudi, Chief Executive Officer of Sohar Aluminium.

The Emerging Technologies Lab was equipped with a smart interactive board and state-of the-art All-in-One computers, that have been financed by Sohar Aluminium. 

It is worth mentioning that the Emerging Technologies Lab focuses on innovation and research in the fields of Hybrid Cloud, Virtual Reality (VR), Blockchain, and Data Science. It aims to empower students, researchers, and industry professionals to explore and harness the potential of these emerging technologies through cutting-edge facilities and dedicated initiatives offered by the lab.

Commenting on the inauguration, Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Kharusi, General Manager of Human Resources and Corporate Affairs at Sohar Aluminium, said, “Funding the equipment of the Emerging Technologies Lab stems from Sohar Aluminium’s recognition of the pivotal role that education and technological advancement play in shaping a sustainable future.”

“Sohar Aluminium is proud to support this project that falls within the education, learning, scientific research and national capabilities sector, which is one of the priorities for Oman Vision 2040 that Sohar Aluminium’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Strategy targets funding its projects and initiatives,” Ahmed Al Kharusi added.

The lab will offer the University’s students and faculty a variety of services including workshops and training sessions for students and researchers, mentorship programmes, research projects, hackathons and competitions, technology expos and symposia, a start-up incubator, industry-specific workshops and seminars on applications of emerging technologies, advanced training programmes, as well as consultation services for industries seeking guidance on integrating these emerging technologies.