Monday 31 / August / 2026
From the very outset of building modern Oman, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos placed education at the heart of national progress. “We shall educate our children even under the shade of trees” remain immortal words that shed light on education as a powerful force for empowerment and leading strategic change.
As the wheel of our renewed renaissance moves forward under the leadership of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, Oman Vision 2040 places education and youth at its heart, empowering them to drive sustainable development and shape the future of our nation.
Out of such continuous commitment towards education and youth, on the 6th of August 2026, the Governorate of Muscat organized an awarding ceremony to recognize the high-achieving graduates of the General Education Diploma. The ceremony was presided over by HH Sayyid Bilarab bin Haitham Al Said, Minister of State and Governor of Muscat. The recognition was more than a celebration of academic excellence; it instilled a deep sense of pride and self fulfillment among the students and their parents both Omanis and residents.
Addressing the high achievers, His Highness shared gems of wisdom, inspiring them to pursue their dreams, believe in their potential, and turn their aspirations into achievements. His Highness commended the students for their achievements, and congratulated them and their parents for such a moment of pride. His speech inspired the students. While delivering the message across to the intended audience the words were flowing naturally like water rolling in the aflaj across the nation. His tone was sincere and uplifting. Filled with pride and joy his words were so inspiring and heart elevating. He said: “Be like a beacon overflowing with the light of knowledge, science and good morals. Remain rooted in your authentic Omani values, standing firm like the mountains of Oman in a rapidly changing world. Let your principles be a scale and your minds insightful. Never forsake the noble morals, love for the homeland and devotion to it upon which you were raised. Each one of you carries a dream and the gathering of these dreams is what shapes the nation’s future. Be the best representatives of Oman wherever the paths of life take you, make your knowledge beneficial, your contributions continuous, and your success an addition to this dear homeland.”
These were genuine pieces of advice, shared from a loving heart for Oman’s youth. But the question remains: How can these thought provoking, empowering, and life changing words be translated into tangible reality, and become a blueprint that distinguishes Omani youth through their character, contributions, and achievements, wherever they are and whatever their specialisations may be?
For such an agenda to flourish and for our youth to reap its intended benefits, it requires a collective effort, a partnership among parents, schools, universities, workplaces, civil society organisation and, above all, the youth themselves. Our youth should nurture a mindset of thinking globally while acting locally; embracing the opportunities of a changing world while remaining proudly anchored in their Omani identity, culture, and deep rooted heritage. They should draw inspiration from the achievements of their ancestors throughout history and carry that legacy forward, not merely as a source of pride, but as a responsibility to create, contribute, and achieve.
These six pieces of advice can become much more powerful when students translate them from inspiring words into daily habits. In my view, each one can become a personal discipline that gradually shapes character, productivity, and ultimately a distinctive Omani personality.
Our youth are invited to turn these six pieces of advice into nurturing Positive Habits. I am sure their brilliant way of thinking will lead them to innovate and come up with so many approaches. The below ideas are shared to enable them to brainstorm and come up with the right blend that is appropriate for them to nurture these habits.
1- Being a beacon of knowledge, science and good morals. This requires our youth to ask themselves where are they in terms of inculcating reading as one of the habits that can shape their character and make them abreast with the ongoing development around them. They should make use of technology to advance in this sphere. After all they are the future leaders and leaders are readers. This will enable them to make learning a daily habit. They should allocate time to read, ask questions, learn new skills, and share what they learn with others. At the same time, let their knowledge be accompanied by good character. Knowledge enlightens the mind; morals elevate the person.
2. Remain rooted in your authentic Omani values, and make your identity your anchor. Embrace your Omani culture, heritage, language, traditions, and values, while remaining open to the world and its possibilities. Like the majestic mountains of Oman, stay grounded in your roots while reaching ever higher. After all, these values will be your compass and your anchor, enabling you to endure the turbulent waters of life without losing your way.
3. Let your principles be your scale and your minds insightful. Make reflection and integrity a daily habit. Before making a decision, pause and ask yourself: Is it right? Is it beneficial? Does it reflect the values I was raised upon? Develop the habit of thinking before acting, and never compromise your principles for short term gain.
Our Omani seafarers and sailors once ventured across the seas, reaching India, East Africa, and even as far as China. They built bridges of trust with people from different countries, cultures, and languages. Despite these differences, it was their principles, integrity, and respect for others that earned them trust and admiration. These very principles strengthened trade, deepened relationships, and connected nations across the seas.
Likewise, the reputation and respect Oman enjoys today, across different spheres, did not come by chance. It has been built over generations by remaining committed to the very principles that define our integrity, respect, trust, wisdom, and good character.
So, let your principles guide your choices, just as they guided our forefathers across the seas. You may travel far, meet different people, and enter a rapidly changing world, but never lose sight of the values that anchor you.
4. Each of you carries a dream. a dream that can shape not only your own future, but the future of our nation. Do not leave your dream as a wish; turn it into a plan.
Write your dream down. Set clear and meaningful goals. Break those goals into achievable steps, and review your progress regularly. Remember, a dream gives you direction, a plan gives you a pathway, and disciplined action turns that dream into reality.
As Eleanor Roosevelt beautifully said, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
So, dare to dream, but do more than dream. Plan for it, work for it, persevere through the challenges, and one day, you will look back and realize that the dream you once carried in your heart has become a reality and perhaps, a contribution to the future of Oman.
5. Be the best representative of Oman wherever life takes you. Think what does it mean to be Omani? How do you want to be perceived by others?
Whether in a classroom, university, workplace, or abroad, let your conduct speak for you and for your country. Be punctual, respectful, responsible, collaborative, and professional. Wherever you go, leave a positive impression behind.
6- Make your knowledge beneficial, your contributions continuous, and your success an addition to your homeland. Make contribution a lifelong habit. Do not measure your success only by what you achieve for yourself, but also by what you add to the lives of others and to the progress of your nation.
Volunteer your time, mentor others, innovate, solve problems, and generously share your knowledge and expertise. Remember, true success is not merely about reaching the top; it is about reaching back and lifting others with you.
Let every achievement you accomplish become a building block in the progress of Oman. Let your knowledge serve a purpose, let your talents create an impact, and let your success leave a lasting legacy.
For when you give back to your homeland, your success becomes bigger than you. It becomes part of Oman’s success.
In the language of talent development, these six pieces of advice provide a powerful framework for developing Oman’s future leaders. Together, they embrace the three pillars of the ASK model, Attitude, Skills, and Knowledge . The essential blend required to nurture capable, confident, and values driven individuals.
More than just a framework, they represent a philosophy, a strategy, and a purposeful goal for preparing our youth for the future. It is a vision that our educational institutions, corporate talent-development initiatives, and civil-society organizations programs should keep at heart always while looking to the future with the end in mind. After all, what we can conceive, we can achieve.
The future we envision for Oman begins with the people we develop today.
Thank you, Your Highness, for these memorable gems of wisdom, sent from a loving heart to the youth of Oman. Your words are not merely advice; they are seeds of wisdom planted in the hearts and minds of our young people, seeds that, with commitment and action, can grow into a brighter future for Oman.
An Omani writer focusing on youth development and cultural issues.
