Oman and the United Kingdom signed two letters of intent and two memoranda of understanding during the state visit of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, covering investment, space cooperation, data centre and the use of artificial intelligence in education.
Under the sovereign investment cooperation, a memorandum of understanding was signed between Oman Investment Authority and the UK Office to promote investment cooperation and encourage investment flows between the two countries.
The letters were signed from the Omani side by Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister, and Dr Madiha bint Ahmed Al Shaibani, Minister of Education. The UK signatories were Dr Alice Bunn, Co-Director of the UK Space Agency, and Scott McDonald, Chief Executive of the British Council.
The first letter aims to enhance cooperation in the space sector through exchange of expertise in space policy, scientific research and innovation between the UK Space Agency and the Government of Oman.
The second focuses on the responsible use of AI in education, supporting English-language learning and helping teachers use AI safely and effectively in classrooms.
Madiha said the letter of intent between the Ministry of Education and the British Council marked an important step towards strengthening educational cooperation and exploring how AI could improve teaching and learning methods and develop students’ skills.
The cooperation will focus on jointly designing and implementing a pilot project in selected secondary schools in Oman to improve students’ English communication skills, particularly speaking and writing. It also aims to strengthen their readiness for the labour market and prepare them to pursue higher education at institutions offering programmes in English.
Madiha said the project would include building teachers’ capacity to use AI-supported learning tools and aligning educational activities with Omani curricula and the needs of participating schools.
The initiative will also adhere to principles governing the safe and responsible use of modern technologies, with safeguards for students and their data.
The pilot project will be evaluated against indicators agreed upon by both parties. Its findings are expected to help improve educational practices and identify opportunities for future expansion, supporting evidence-based decision-making, the minister said.
The two countries also agreed to strengthen strategic digital cooperation through a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology and UK-founded Yamna, a global infrastructure development and investment company backed by British investment funds, to build a large-scale AI data centre in Salalah.