Midad Digital Centre Opened to Advance
Innovation, Digital Transformation in Oman

Muscat, 27 Sep 2026 (ONA) — The
Research and Innovation Authority celebrated today at the Innovation Complex in
Muscat the official opening of “Midad Digital” Centre and the official
launch of its visual identity, marking an advanced strategic step toward
strengthening the innovation and digital transformation ecosystem in the
Sultanate of Oman, in line with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040.

The opening was held under the
patronage of Dr. Saif Abdullah Al Hadabi, Chairman of the Research and
Innovation Authority.

Najah Mohammed Al Rashdi, Acting
Director General of the Innovation Centre, affirmed that “Midad
Digital” Centre represents a qualitative milestone in the journey of
developing the infrastructure for communications and Internet of Things
technologies in the Sultanate of Oman, noting the importance of strategic
partnerships between national institutions and international expertise in
building an integrated innovation ecosystem.

For her part, Petra Schirren, Vice
President & Head of Customer Unit Gulf, affirmed that the company’s
partnership with the Sultanate of Oman extends over more than 50 years, noting
that the launch of “Midad Digital” Centre represents an important
step in developing the digital ecosystem in the Sultanate of Oman, and emphasizing
the company’s commitment to supporting national talent and developing future
skills.

The ceremony reviewed the journey
of the “Midad” Centre, alongside a visual presentation on the Ibn
Firnas Drone Academy, and featured presentations of student projects in the
fields of robotics and digital applications developed within the “Digital
Laboratory” programme.

Dr. Salem Mohammed Al Waili,
Director General of Training at the company operating the “Midad
Digital” Centre, explained that the Centre is a national institution specializing
in knowledge transfer, capacity building, and foresight of future trends in the
fields of advanced communications, fifth-generation networks, the Internet of
Things, and artificial intelligence technologies.

He indicated that the Centre
seeks to be a leading national platform for knowledge transfer, capacity
building, and innovation development in the fields of advanced communications
and emerging digital technologies, by empowering individuals and institutions
with technical knowledge and skills and enhancing integration among the
governmental, academic, and industrial sectors.

The ceremony witnessed the
official launch of the visual identity of “Midad” Centre and a
showcase of student projects in robotics and applications developed within the
“Digital Laboratory” programme, which covered the fields of creative
programming, electronics, and game development.

The “Midad Digital”
Centre project is based on a system of strategic partnerships. The Research and
Innovation Authority assumes institutional oversight of the Centre and directs
its programmes in accordance with national priorities, while the Ministry of
Finance contributed to establishing the project and facilitating its
implementation through the Partnership for Development (Offset) programme.

Ericsson is responsible for
equipping the Centre with platforms and advanced communications technologies
and providing technical expertise as a technical and knowledge partner, while
Oman Telecommunications Company (Omantel) supports the technical environment
and links the Centre’s programmes to the national communications ecosystem,
alongside the role of the Ibn Firnas Academy in operating the Centre and
implementing applied programmes and the “Digital Laboratory”
programme.

— Ends/AH