MUSCAT -- AIESEC, a student-run organisation that develops young people through leadership opportunities, begins here today its third national conference on Youth Engagement in Oman 2020. David Ziser, Director, Organisational Development, AIESEC, told the Observer yesterday that the focus will be on 'Youth Engagement in Oman 2020.' The next two days are focused on a smaller group of AIESEC students to provide training opportunities to further prepare them for the opportunities and responsibilities available to them as members of AIESEC Oman. On Wednesday there will be a World Issues Cafe for AIESEC members where "we will have the opportunity to discuss various topics relevant to our society such as the environment, intercultural misunderstandings, and women empowerment".

AIESEC Oman organises two national conferences every year. The aim is to provide skill-development and training opportunities to student member, and sets goals for upcoming activities. The current conference assumes significance because it is the first national conference "we are opening up to a larger audience. For the first day, we are expecting students, college administrations and faculty, and representatives from the private and public sector to share perspectives regarding the role of the youth in Oman 2020 to educate students about Oman 2020 and provide them with opportunities to develop the skill sets that are crucial for the success of Oman 2020".

There will be three keynote speeches, one from the education perspective, one from the student perspective and one from the private-sector perspective. The education perspective will be delivered by Dr Badr El Din, Dean of Modern College of Business and Science. The student perspective will be delivered by Bushra and Mukhter, student at Modern College of Business and Science. The private-sector perspective is expected to be given by Ibtisam al Riyami from Petroleum Development Oman (PDO).

At the three-day event (July 6-8) at the Caledonian CollegeCaledonian College, AIESEC has invited students and administrations from eight colleges: Modern College of Business and Science, Muscat College, the College of Banking and Financial StudiesCollege of Banking and Financial Studies, Majan University College, Waljat Colleges of Applied Sciences, Middle East College of Information Technology, Caledonian CollegeCaledonian College of Engineering, and the College of Commerce and Economics at Sultan Qaboos University. David Ziser said: "We are also expecting representatives from PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Tawasul, PDO, Omantel, Shell and a few other companies".

AIESEC's office in Oman is currently located in Mawalleh. AIESEC has a national office 107 countries worldwide. AIESEC is still new in Oman, establishing operations began in August 2007. AIESEC recently sent a student from Majan University College for an internship in Colombia and is sending 11 more students this summer, 10 from the College of Commerce and Economics at SQU and one from Modern College of Business and Science, to internships in the US. David Ziser added: "We are hopeful that AIESEC in Oman will be recognised as a key development partner for students, colleges, companies and the Omani community as a whole, especially in achieving the associated goals of Oman 2020".

AIESEC's international platform enables young people to explore and develop their leadership potential for them to have a positive impact in society. AIESEC uses an innovative approach to engaging and developing today's youth. By offering opportunities to build extensive international personal networks and explore leadership opportunities, it provides a platform for young people to discover direction and ambition for their futures.

By Hasan Kamoonpuri

© Oman Daily Observer 2009

 

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