Sunday 05 / July / 2026
Muscat: Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) has signed nine agreements worth OMR3.5 million (more than USD 9 million) to expand access to education, strengthen healthcare services, protect the environment and create new opportunities for young Omanis.
Signed at PDO's Mina Al Fahal headquarters, the agreements support Oman Vision 2040 through targeted investments in people, essential services and environmental sustainability. They also reflect PDO's commitment to creating value beyond its core operations.
Dr. Aflah Said Al Hadhrami, PDO Managing Director, said: “At PDO, we believe our success should be reflected not only in what we achieve as a company, but also in the opportunities we help create for people and communities across Oman.
These partnerships reflect our long-standing commitment to investing in national priorities and to working alongside our partners to help build a stronger, more resilient future for Oman.”
In education, PDO will continue supporting the Community Scholarship Programme, implemented with the Ministry of Education, enabling 150 students from the Company’s concession areas to pursue university education.
More than 1,400 students across seven government schools in Haima and Al Jazir will also benefit from high-speed internet connectivity to support digital learning. In addition, PDO launched the first Tamayuz cohort, recognising 20 outstanding scholarship students through an international enrichment programme focused on leadership, innovation and career readiness.
PDO also established a training partnership with the Ministry to provide practical training opportunities within the Company for 250 university students specialising in electrical engineering.
Commenting on the agreements, Dr. Abdullah Ali Al Shibli, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education for Higher Education, said: “These agreements reflect the strategic partnership between the Ministry of Education and PDO and support the goals of Oman Vision 2040, which places education among the nation's highest priorities.
Three of the agreements focus on higher education students through scholarships for students from concession areas, a training partnership programme, and an integrated cultural and knowledge enrichment programme.
The fourth agreement supports the completion of internet connectivity infrastructure for a number of schools located in PDO’s concession area, as part of the Ministry's strategic digital transformation initiatives.”
PDO will continue supporting the Musta'ed Youth Skills Development Programme, implemented by Outward Bound Oman in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth.
The fifth edition of the programme will equip 500 young Omanis aged 15 to 18 with leadership, entrepreneurship, and future-ready skills, enhancing their employability and preparing them for future careers.
Basil Ahmed Al Rowas, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth for Sports and Youth, said: “The signing of the agreement with PDO to support the fifth edition of Musta'ed reflects the programme's national importance and the confidence placed in the positive outcomes achieved by participants in previous editions.
Over the past four years, the programme has attracted around 2,700 participants from across the Sultanate of Oman, demonstrating its broad reach and inclusive nature, while reinforcing its role in developing youth capabilities nationwide. We highly value PDO’s continued support for the programme and are confident that this partnership will further strengthen its impact and expand the number of beneficiaries.”
As part of its environmental sustainability efforts, PDO signed an agreement with the Environment Authority to support the National Marine Early Detection System. The initiative will deploy advanced floating monitoring stations and smart sensors to monitor seawater quality in real time, providing early warning of pollution risks while helping protect marine ecosystems, biodiversity and coastal economic activities.
In healthcare, PDO will fund a national capacity-building programme at the Excellence Centre for Developmental Paediatrics at the University Medical City, supporting the training and employment of specialised professionals to enhance services for children with developmental conditions at the centre that will be launched soon.
The programme is expected to create 74 jobs initially, increasing to 129 within three years, while reducing patient waiting times and strengthening the centre as a regional hub for paediatrics.
Sayyid Dr Mujahid Rafi' Al Busaidi, Director General of Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, University Medical City, said: “This agreement reflects the effective partnership between University Medical City and the private sector, and underscores PDO’s longstanding commitment to social responsibility and its continued contribution to supporting national efforts to enhance the quality of healthcare services. We are confident that this agreement will deliver a sustainable positive impact on the health and quality of life of beneficiaries, while further strengthening the position of University Medical City as a leading centre for medical education and advanced healthcare in the Sultanate of Oman.”
Patients requiring specialised orthopaedic care will also benefit from a new clinic at Khoula Hospital, supported by PDO, which will replace the existing facility, improve patient safety and increase annual treatment capacity by more than 40%.
In Al Wusta Governorate, PDO will co-fund the construction of a new Accident and Emergency Unit at Al Jazir Hospital, improving access to life-saving emergency care and strengthening healthcare services for local communities. Once completed, the new unit will have the capacity to treat more than 1,000 emergency cases each year.
Dr. Rashid Mohammed Al Alawi, Director General of Khoula Hospital, said: “The signing of the agreement with PDO to fund the construction of a new specialist orthopaedic clinic represents a leading example of partnership between the healthcare sector and private sector institutions, reflecting a shared commitment to supporting initiatives that enhance healthcare services for the community. The new clinic will strengthen orthopaedic and trauma services through modern facilities and equipment aligned with the latest medical practices, improving treatment outcomes, patient experience and the quality of care.”
Together, these initiatives will expand educational opportunities, strengthen healthcare services, protect Oman’s natural environment and equip young people with the skills needed for the future. They reflect PDO's commitment to creating lasting value for the nation and contributing to a more resilient and sustainable Oman.
