The seminar included the presentation of three papers that highlighted various developmental themes, combining educational and organizational aspects. The first paper was entitled: “The Identity and Citizenship Curriculum (Starting Points, Content and Construction Model)”, presented by Siham Al-Hana’i. The second paper presented the services provided by the Transportation and Services Department to the Directorate-General for Curriculum Development and was presented by Yahya Al-Hatali.

The third paper reviewed the external scholarship pathways, presented by Badr Al-Rashidi, Director of the External Scholarships Department. The seminar concluded with a dialogue and discussion session with the speakers, chaired by Dr. Radhia Al-Hashimi, an educational curriculum expert at the Director-General of Curricula's office.

This seminar was organized as part of the Directorate-General for Curriculum Development's commitment to ongoing development and improvement efforts, and to strengthening integration between various technical and administrative aspects, thereby contributing to enhancing the quality of educational outcomes and raising the efficiency of institutional work.

The forum discusses a number of key themes related to the use of modern technologies in education. The theme of artificial intelligence in school education reviews practical applications such as academic performance analysis, smart assistance, and automated correction systems, in addition to presenting successful models and experiences locally and globally in employing these technologies within schools.

The focus of the forum on employing technologies for people with disabilities is on building an inclusive digital learning environment that ensures equal educational opportunities, through the use of smart tools and assistive technologies to support the learning of students with disabilities. The forum also addresses collaborative work skills in the world of technology through the implementation of student projects based on artificial intelligence, such as the VEX robot, and the development of communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills through digital platforms.

The Ethics and Privacy in the World of Artificial Intelligence section discusses the importance of protecting school data and student privacy in digital environments and promoting the responsible and ethical use of artificial intelligence technologies in education.

Issa Al-Anqoudi, Director of the Department of Educational Technologies, said: “The world is witnessing an accelerating knowledge and technological transformation led by artificial intelligence technologies, which have become one of the most prominent tools for developing education and shaping the future of students.” He pointed out that organizing this forum comes within the framework of the Ministry of Education’s direction towards promoting innovation and employing artificial intelligence technologies in the educational process, in partnership with the relevant authorities, and in a way that contributes to developing the skills of workers in the education sector.

He added that the school is no longer just a place to transfer knowledge but has become a smart learning environment that contributes to developing students' thinking, creativity and innovation and empowering them with future skills. He also pointed out that artificial intelligence opens up broad horizons for developing education through analyzing learning data, personalizing educational experiences, and producing interactive content, as well as enhancing blended and inclusive education for students of different abilities. He stressed on that building the schools of the future requires the integration of efforts between educational institutions, the private sector and experts, and investment in human beings through developing skills of innovation, critical thinking, and the conscious use of technology.

The forum aims to raise awareness among the educational community in general and private schools in particular about artificial intelligence technologies and their applications in education, and to enable teachers and students to use smart tools in a safe and effective way that contributes to enhancing the quality of learning, in addition to promoting integration between modern technologies and the concept of inclusive education, which allows equal learning opportunities for students with disabilities, as well as discussing the ethics of using technology and protecting the privacy of users in digital educational environments.

GEDEX continues its pioneering role as a knowledge and educational exhibition in line with Oman Vision 2040, which focuses on developing the education and scientific research system, enhancing national capabilities, and building a high-quality educational system based on community partnership. The exhibition brings together local and international educational institutions, students, researchers, and decision-makers to showcase the latest educational programs and opportunities.

Amr bin Abdullah Baaboud, CEO of Al Dar Al Arabiya for Data Analysis – the event organizer – said: “This year we are celebrating the 25th edition of the GEDEX Global Education Exhibition, which is the oldest and most prominent educational event in the Sultanate of Oman. This edition has witnessed an evolution in its visual identity, now bearing the name (GEDEX Global Education Exhibition), in line with the importance of the event and the changes in the educational system in the Sultanate of Oman. The exhibition is no longer limited to universities and colleges only, but has become a comprehensive platform that includes institutes, schools, and educational centers.”

He added: “Through our partnership with the Ministry of Education, we seek to support this vital sector by inviting local and international educational institutions and contributing to shaping the future of education in the Sultanate of Oman, in order to achieve the goals of Oman Vision 2040 towards high-quality education and enhance innovation and scientific research efforts.”

The Global Education Exhibition (GEDEX) 2026 aims to empower the education sector by attracting leading educational institutions and supporting the aspirations of students in various disciplines, thereby contributing to building an integrated educational system that keeps pace with the latest global developments.

In this context, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq issued Royal Decree No. (32/2026) approving the Sultanate of Oman’s accession to this Convention, in embodiment of its firm approach to promoting justice, equality and equal opportunities in its educational system, and consolidating the principles of inclusiveness and non-exclusion, in line with national legislation, Oman Vision 2040 and the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly the fourth goal related to ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education for all.

HE Ambassador Amna bint Salem Al Balushi, Permanent Delegate of the Sultanate of Oman to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), affirmed that joining this convention supports the position of the Sultanate of Oman at the international level, considering education as a human right, and confirms its firm approach in supporting global principles that establish education as an inalienable human right. Joining reflects a sovereign commitment to actively engage in the international system concerned with protecting this right and enhances the Sultanate’s presence as a responsible partner in multilateral efforts aimed at preserving human dignity by ensuring equitable educational opportunities for all.

This accession sends a message that national education policies stem from a firm conviction of the importance of justice and equal opportunities, in line with internationally recognized human rights frameworks. This enhances the Sultanate’s credibility in international forums related to human rights and sustainable development, supports its participation in formulating joint initiatives and programs related to education, and reinforces Oman’s image as a country that adopts dialogue and international cooperation as a means to promote fundamental rights. It also confirms its commitment to ensuring that education is a tool for empowerment, capacity building, and achieving societal stability.

HE Dr. Intisar bint Abdullah Al-Ambosaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education for Educational Support Programs and Vice-Chair of the Omani National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, believes that joining the Convention contributes to enhancing the professional environment for teachers and consolidating their pivotal roles within schools. This is achieved through the adoption of a clear international commitment that guarantees the provision of professional training and development for those working in the teaching profession without any form of discrimination, as stipulated in Article (4/d) of the Convention. This international framework emphasizes the importance of empowering teachers scientifically and professionally so that they are able to address the needs of all students within a fair and inclusive educational environment.

This commitment is complemented by the School Education Law in the Sultanate of Oman, which established an integrated system to support teachers, as it obligated the Ministry to provide continuous professional development programs for members of the teaching staff (Article 51), and to work on developing their career paths and enhancing their readiness to perform their roles efficiently and competently (Article 52), in addition to activating the educational supervision system to monitor performance, provide specialized technical support and improve professional practices (Articles 67-68).

This harmony between the international agreement and national legislation reflects a strategic direction towards raising the quality of teacher preparation, ensuring equal opportunities for their development, enabling them to manage diversity within classrooms and implement practices that consider individual differences. These efforts are consistent with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040, which aims to build a high-quality education system, enhance the efficiency of educational staff, and empower the teacher to lead an innovative and comprehensive educational process that contributes to building a knowledge society and an economy based on competitive national competencies.

HE Dr. Badr bin Hamoud Al-Kharusi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education, spoke about the clear alignment of the provisions and articles of this agreement with the laws and legislation related to education in the Sultanate of Oman. The Omani School Education Law prohibits any form of discrimination among students based on gender, origin, color, language, religion, or social status, in accordance with Article 1 of the agreement, which defines and prohibits discrimination. The law also stipulates free and compulsory education at the basic level, which aligns with the agreement's commitment to making primary education free and compulsory and facilitating post-basic and higher education for all. The law and the Omani educational philosophy emphasize equal opportunities, curriculum standardization, and respect for identity and culture without compromising the principle of non-discrimination. This is also permitted by the agreement within the framework of respecting cultural and religious specificities without infringing upon individuals' rights to education based on equality and quality. Furthermore, the Education Law promotes teacher training and professional development, which is consistent with the agreement's call for training all those working in the field of education without discrimination.

Dr. Mahmoud bin Abdullah Al-Abri, Secretary of the Omani National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, pointed out that this agreement contributes to strengthening the Sultanate of Oman's position in educational indicators and international reports related to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4. The agreement serves as an international framework that calls upon countries to adopt educational policies based on equal opportunities and non-discrimination, which are fundamental elements directly measured within the indicators of Goal 4. The Sultanate of Oman's commitment to the agreement's provisions, such as preventing discrimination in enrollment and quality of education, ensuring free and compulsory basic education, and guaranteeing equal opportunities for post-basic and higher education, supports improved results in indicators such as: universal enrollment rate, gender equality, inclusion of marginalized groups, quality of learning environment, and equity policies in education. The clarity of these principles in the Omani School Education Law—such as the explicit provisions on equality and the prohibition of discrimination among students—facilitates international organizations, particularly UNESCO, in assessing progress and verifying the alignment of the national legislative framework with global commitments. This positively impacts the Sultanate of Oman's ranking in comparative reports, thereby enhancing the reliability of national data and helping to raise Oman's standing in equity indicators, quality of learning, and inclusive education, included in the assessment of Goal 4.

Jamal Al-Nabhani, Advisor to the Minister of Education for Legal Affairs and Head of the Committee for Public Rights and Freedoms at the Omani Human Rights Commission, addressed the legal dimensions of the Sultanate of Oman’s accession to the Convention, saying: “The Basic Law of the State has given legal force to the international treaties and agreements to which the Sultanate of Oman has joined, as it has entrusted the esteemed Council of Ministers, pursuant to Article (51) thereof, with the general supervision of the implementation of treaties and agreements, in a manner that ensures compliance with them. Article (97) of the same law has given the international agreements to which the Sultanate of Oman has joined great importance, as they are binding on all entities in the State, as they are considered one of the sources of national law after joining them, and it is impossible for those entities to issue any regulations, decisions, or instructions that conflict with them.”

The provisions of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination in Education have become part of the country’s law in force after joining it. It places upon the countries that join it many obligations that revolve around combating discrimination between individuals in the field of education, whether they are citizens or residents, on account of color, sex, language, religion, origin, or other criteria of discrimination contained in Article (1) of the Convention. It should be noted that Article (2) of the Convention has identified some aspects that are not considered discrimination. The Convention also places upon the States Parties the responsibility of submitting reports on the progress they are making at the national level in enforcing and implementing the provisions of the Convention to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, including statistics and data that support the effective implementation of the Convention.

Ahmed Al-Shukaili, Assistant Director of the Quality Department, delivered a speech in which he stated: “In light of the rapid and successive changes and developments the world is witnessing across all governmental and private sectors, and the challenges facing administrations, these changes necessitate the adoption of all new developmental and improvement programs and projects.” He added: “The Ministry of Education is at the forefront of change and ambition, a center of excellence on all levels. Recognizing its commitment to achieving sustainability and providing better services through the adoption of strategic changes to strive for excellence, such as mastering the fundamentals of continuous improvement and implementing improvement projects capable of overcoming challenges to satisfy beneficiaries, the Ministry has included in its tenth strategic plan a strategic objective based on applying the principle of lean thinking in its operations to ensure the smooth flow of resulting procedures, excellent services that customers need, meet their expectations, and fulfill their aspirations and satisfaction.”

Following this, Alia Al-Zaidiyah, Assistant Director of Artistic Production in the Textbook Production Department at the Directorate-General for Curriculum Development, presented a project entitled "Accelerating Textbook Production." This project aims to expedite the production of textbooks and minimize waste. Next, Dr. Nasser Al-Batashi, Senior Quality Specialist in the Quality Department at the Directorate-General for Strategic Planning, presented a project entitled "Improving the Learning Resources Warehouse Using the 5S Methodology." This project aims to organize, arrange, and classify the work environment by applying the 5S system (Classification, Arrangement, Cleaning, Standardization, and Fixation) to avoid many errors in distributing and delivering textbooks to schools. This was followed by a video presentation entitled "Lean's Approach in the Workplace," which included an introduction to Lean methodology projects, their importance, their role in the educational environment, and interviews with those implementing the methodology.

Afterwards, the patronage of the event honored the implementers of the completed improvement projects in accordance with the lean management approach, at the Ministry's General Diwan and the educational governorates. Following this, Hamad Al-Bassami, Head of the Quality Department at the Planning Department of the Directorate-General of Education in South Al Batinah Governorate, presented a project entitled "Developing a System for Determining School Feeders." The project aims to shift to a survey projection system to determine feeders instead of point maps, thus giving specialists the ability to accurately know the boundaries of school feeders. Khalid Al-Hosni, Senior Quality Specialist at the Quality Department of the Directorate-General of Education in North Al Batinah Governorate, presented a project entitled "Energy Saving and Electricity Bill Reduction Project." The project aims to rationalize consumption, achieve financial and environmental sustainability, and reduce the electricity bill by improving the efficiency of electricity use in the main building of the Directorate through a set of measures.

The celebration aims to honor the supportive leaders and energies that provided the enabling environment for experimentation and development, to motivate employees in various divisions to achieve continuous improvement and change management, and to honor the improvement projects completed according to lean management.

The session was presented by Dr. Hatem Abdel Fattah, Management Training Consultant and Lean Six Sigma at Zahrat Al Khaleej Institute Muscat. The session addressed several topics, including Social Engineering Concepts such as Roots, Mechanisms, and Digital Transformation; The Mindset of the Cyber ​​Fraudster such as Motives, Methods, and Evolution; The Mindset of the Victim such as Fears, Aspirations, and Weaknesses; The Role of the Surrounding Environment in Fraud Operations; and Prevention from Awareness to Implementation.

The session aims to introduce social engineering as a non-technical influence science, to identify the difference between positive influence and fraudulent hacking, to understand the role of psychological factors in the success of non-technical attacks, and to clarify the relationship between trust and human hacking.

A number of (140) trainers and training officials participated in the forum which aims to review the developmental updates related to the stages of the e-learning system project and the digital repository, and to enhance communication and coordination between certified trainers (TOT) and work teams, in order to contribute to unifying efforts and exchanging practical experiences. The forum also aims to implement feedback sessions to review field experiences, identify strengths and opportunities for improvement in the application of educational services on the educational platform, and conduct a joint brainstorming to propose practical solutions and develop future work mechanisms that support the quality and effectiveness of training, and to develop action plans that contribute to improving the use of the digital services provided by the educational platform that were introduced during the past years, and to ensure the sustainability of their efficient use.

The forum included discussion sessions to explore the development of the Noor platform and the technical aspects related to the platform. At the beginning of the forum, Issa Al-Anqoudi, Director of the Department of Educational Technologies – Vice chairman of the Main Committee for the Educational System and Digital Repository Project, pointed out the importance of this forum, saying: “This meeting comes to reinforce a set of principles related to the developmental and improvement aspects that will be presented and discussed with the work teams.”

The first paper of the forum discussed aspects of improvement and development during the next phase of the educational platform. This stemmed from user feedback after utilizing the services and submitting several development proposals, which the team studied and considered for implementation within the platform's development services. The second paper addressed the importance of training as the cornerstone of the project, a principle the team adopted from the project's inception.

The third paper, titled "Deployment and Activation of Platform Services," outlined the project's workflow from beginning to end, reviewing all completed phases. It then discussed indicators and statistics on platform activation across all services offered to target groups. The fourth paper, "Technical Support," addressed technical support related to user challenges, frequently asked questions, and the technical solutions the support team should implement. The fifth paper, titled "Assessment and Student Assessment Performance Record," covered the latest developments in assessment within the educational system, including the activation of the gradebook and upcoming enhancements.

At the conclusion of the forum, HE Dr. Badr bin Hamoud Al-Kharousi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education for Education, honored more than 125 certified trainers for the Noor educational platform from various divisions of the Ministry of Education, including trainers from the Ministry’s General Diwan. The trainers underwent a comprehensive training program, which included theoretical training and practical application of the Noor educational platform, and they submitted a recorded project of their steps in dealing with the platform, in addition to passing a test on the training program.

The ceremony witnessed the official announcement of the adoption of the results of the (RAM) report as a national reference for the governance of artificial intelligence in the Sultanate of Oman, in addition to presenting Oman’s vision for the path of artificial intelligence, reviewing the Omani model in this field, and highlighting the five main pillars of UNESCO’s recommendations, which contributes to unifying the understanding of government agencies and academic institutions of the concept of ethical artificial intelligence based on human rights, and enhancing Oman’s position regionally and internationally as a model in the ethical governance of modern technologies.

The ceremony included a speech by Hassan bin Fida Hussein Al Lawati, Head of the National Program for Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technologies, representing the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology. He emphasized that the RAM initiative is a practical and systematic tool that enables countries to assess their current situations, identify strengths and opportunities for improvement, and pinpoint challenges requiring attention. This, in turn, supports the development of policies, regulatory frameworks, and legislation aligned with global best practices. He added that the release of the UNESCO report's findings and recommendations underscores the Sultanate of Oman's commitment to international standards and frameworks, and its keenness to leverage globally recognized methodologies in a manner consistent with national priorities, while respecting Oman's unique characteristics and its institutional and developmental context.

For his part, Dr. Mahmoud bin Abdullah Al-Abri, Secretary of the Omani National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, delivered the Ministry of Education's speech, noting that the Sultanate of Oman is dedicating an increasing attention to artificial intelligence (AI) in recognition of its pivotal role in supporting sustainable development. He pointed out that this attention is reflected in the launch of the National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence and Data, investment in building national capabilities, and the promotion of innovation and responsible digital transformation. He emphasized that the report represents a significant milestone and a practical tool to support decision-makers, researchers, and national institutions in their efforts to adopt AI ethically and sustainably.

The ceremony also included a recorded speech from Dr. Dafna Feinholz, Acting Director of the Research, Ethics and Inclusion Division, and Head of the Bioethics and Science and Technology Ethics Section in the Social and Human Sciences Sector at UNESCO.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Dr. Ahmed Al-Balushi, Director of the Science Affairs Department at the Omani National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, presented a keynote paper outlining the main findings of the UNESCO report assessing the Sultanate of Oman's readiness in the field of artificial intelligence ethics. He emphasized the report's importance as a national diagnostic tool that measures the level of preparedness for adopting artificial intelligence ethically and responsibly. He also presented UNESCO's vision for Oman's path as a comprehensive national transformation project linked to good governance, the protection of human rights, the achievement of sustainable development, and support for the objectives of Oman Vision 2040 and the knowledge-based economy. Furthermore, he highlighted several indicators of national readiness, including the formation of the National Committee of Artificial Intelligence Experts.

The first round was full of excitement, with Al Fajr Al Jadeed School from North Al Batinah Governorate defeating Sur School from South Al Sharqiyah Governorate 1-0, thanks to a goal by Timur Fathi, who was named Man of the Match. Al Safa School from South Al Batinah Governorate triumphed 5-0 over Al Noor School from Al Wusta Governorate, with Saleh Al Ghafeeli scoring a hat-trick and earning the Man of the Match award, while Mubarak Al Maliki and Bassam Al Manouri each scored one goal. The third match saw Al Ithar School from Al Dakhiliyah Governorate defeat Manba Al Ilm School from Al Dhahirah Governorate 1-0, with Al Hassan Al Muharbi scoring the lone goal and his teammate, Muataz Al Muharbi, receiving the Man of the Match award. In the final match, Sultan Qaboos School from Dhofar Governorate defeated Lazq School from North Al Sharqiyah Governorate 1-0, with Turki Basem scoring the winning goal and being named Man of the Match.

In the first match of the second round, Ard Al Jaw School from Al Buraimi Governorate defeated Al Noor School from Al Wusta Governorate 3-1. Sultan Said and Nader Al Makhini (two goals) scored for Ard Al Jaw School, with Al Makhini receiving the Man of the Match award. Hamad Al Musallami scored Al Noor School's lone goal. In another match, Lazq School from North Al Sharqiyah Governorate defeated Khasab School from Musandam Governorate 2-1. Hussam Abdullah scored both goals for Lazq School and was named Man of the Match, while Hussein Sadiq Al Kumzari scored for Khasab School. Sur School defeated Al Ta'alluq Private School 2-0, with goals from Mohammed Khamis and Mohammed Sabeet, who was named Man of the Match. Finally, in the fourth match, Manba' Al Ilm School from Al Dhahirah Governorate defeated Manar Al Ilm School from Muscat Governorate 1-0, with Hilal Khamis scoring the winning goal. Sultan Saif from Manba' Al Ilm School received the Man of the Match award.

The agreement was signed by HE Majid bin Said Al Bahri, Undersecretary of the Ministry for Administrative and Financial Affairs, and Omar bin Mohammed Al Farsi, Director-General of the Foundation, at the Ministry's General Diwan.

The agreement aims to improve the educational environment, activate cultural and educational activities, enhance partnership between government institutions and charitable organizations, support educational projects with community impact, enhance the quality of educational events, and achieve the goals of sustainable educational development in the Sultanate of Oman.