10 Feb MEDRC and the British Embassy in Muscat partner to deliver Omani SMEs in the renewable energy water treatment sector
MEDRC and the British Embassy in Muscat have signed an agreement during a ceremony held under the patronage of Her Excellency Dr. Rahma Al Mahrooqi, Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation at MEDRC’s office today. The agreement was signed by James Goldman, Charge d’Affaires of the British Embassy and Ciarán Ó Cuinn, MEDRC’s Center Director.
Under the agreement, MEDRC will deliver an intensive 9-week training program in solar wastewater treatment. The program will prepare 20 young Omanis for self-employment in the water treatment sector with the goal of boosting job creation and economic growth. Through the program, trainees will learn how to design, procure, build and install small-scale solar grey treatment plants, meeting the needs of a variety of consumers.
On the occasion, James Goldman, Charge d’Affaires of the British Embassy Muscat commented: “We are proud to sponsor REROM SME’S programme, providing vocational training to 20 young Omanis in order to support them gain employment in the green economy building a more sustainable future. Innovation and entrepreneurship are critical to both UK and Oman which is why we are partnering with the Government of Oman on a range of initiatives to support the development of SMEs in Oman. Alongside REROM, in the last 12 months we have also helped accelerate over tech 20 companies and worked with the SME Authority on producing strategies to support their long term development across a diverse range of fields. We wish the participants every success in developing their start up enterprises, we hope this will contribute to vibrant ecosystem here in Oman”
Ciarán Ó Cuinn, MEDRC Center Director said: “We are delighted to partner with the British Embassy on this important project. Our joint program will support Oman’s focus on renewables and the green economy while also boosting jobs. The presence of Her Excellency Minister Al Mahrooqi underlines the strategic importance of these activities.”
The technology that will be taught in the program is a new pioneering method of reusing end of life reverse osmosis membranes (REROM) for the tertiary treatment of wastewater. This technology was developed by MEDRC in cooperation with the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation under their Strategic Water Research program. Sustainable water technologies such as this offer real business opportunities for young entrepreneurs in Oman as more individuals and industries look to adopt water and energy conservation approaches.
Present at the event were representatives from the different program stakeholders including the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources and The Public Authority for SME Development.