Muscat: Here is what is happening across the governorates of the Sultanate of Oman.
Exhibition of scientific innovations at Directorate General of Education in Dhofar Governorate concludes
The Education Theatre in the Directorate General of Education in the Governorate of Dhofar, represented by the Innovation Department and the Scientific Olympiad, concluded the activities of the Scientific Innovations Exhibition for Knowledge Development and Globe Environmental Projects at the level of the governorate’s schools for the 2022/2023 school year.
The exhibition included decentralised evaluation of a number of student projects and innovations in the fields of science, mathematics, engineering sciences, energy, as well as information technology, biology and the environment.
The exhibition aimed to introduce evaluation mechanisms in scientific innovations and the required steps, and to acquire a culture of competition in this field.
The exhibition was attended by Sheikh Yaqoub bin Saif Al Shehimi, Director General of the Directorate General of Education in the Governorate of Dhofar, and a number of administrative and educational officials.
Foundation stone of Monument to the Chinese navigator Zheng He was laid
A ceremony was held in the Wilayat of Salalah to lay the foundation stone for the monument project to the Chinese navigator Zheng He, which was organised by the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Sultanate of Oman in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign and the Dhofar Municipality.
The ceremony included a visual presentation on the design of the monument to the Chinese navigator Zheng He using 3D printing technology, as well as an overview of the Sohar ship's arrival in China, and the Omani-Chinese historical relations.
H.E. Li Lingping, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the Sultanate of Oman, delivered a speech in which she emphasised the depth of the historical relations between the Sultanate of Oman and the People's Republic of China since ancient times, noting the role of the historical Maritime Silk Road in strengthening the friendship between the two countries.
The Ambassador of China to Oman referred to some stages of the life of the Chinese navigator Zheng He and his visit to Oman, specifically the Dhofar Governorate in the fifteenth century AD, and his commercial sea voyages in the Western Ocean (the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean).
Abdullah bin Khalid Al-Sulaimani, who is in charge of operating the East Asia Department at the Ministry of Foreign, gave a speech in which he explained that the volume of trade exchange between the two countries amounted to $33 billion at the end of last year.
Dr Khalid bin Salim Al-Saidi, Chairman of the Omani-Chinese Friendship Association, said in a speech that the association was established 12 years ago with the aim of promoting trade and cultural communication between the Sultanate of Oman and the People's Republic of China.
Al-Saidi indicated that relations between the two countries are witnessing further development and progress in various fields.
His Excellency Dr Ahmed bin Mohsen Al Ghassani, Governor of Dhofar Municipality, the sponsor of the occasion, and the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China accredited to the Sultanate of Oman laid the foundation stone for the monument project to the Chinese navigator Zheng He, whose construction is expected to start early next year.
The establishment of the monument to the Chinese navigator Zheng He in the Wilayat of Salalah aims to strengthen the historical relations between the Sultanate of Oman and the People's Republic of China, thus strengthening the bonds of friendship between the two friendly peoples of Oman and China.
Salalah Port receives Viking Mars cruise ship with more than 1,000 passengers on board
Salalah Port received the Norwegian cruise ship "Viking Mars" with 1,332 passengers on board, including 881 tourists as part of its tourism programme in a number of ports around the world.
The tourist programme for the passengers of the cruise ship coming from the Jordanian port of Aqaba and heading to the port of Sultan Qaboos in Muscat included tours that included the most important archaeological and historical monuments for which the Dhofar Governorate is famous, in addition to visiting the beaches and markets in Salalah.
Abdullah bin Omar Al-Sabbah, Assistant Director of the Promotion Department at the Directorate General of Heritage and Tourism in the Governorate of Dhofar, said that the movement of cruise ships is an attraction factor in the growth of the winter tourist season by stopping at the port of Salalah, and tourists roaming around the governorate, which provides an added economic value to the Sultanate in general and the Governorate of Dhofar in particular.
"It is expected that the current season will witness growth and prosperity as a result of the intensification of the promotional efforts made by the Ministry in partnership with all relevant authorities, tourism companies and shipping agents," Al-Sabbah added.
Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Shammas, Head of the Tourism Patterns and Markets Department at the Directorate General of Heritage and Tourism in the Governorate of Dhofar, stated that the ministry, in cooperation with the tourism partners, succeeded in attracting more European tour groups’ trips, as part of its continuing efforts to promote the Governorate of Dhofar throughout the year. The governorate has all the ingredients and elements of tourist attractions that enable it to become the preferred tourist destination for many visitors from different countries of the world.