The Shura Council Bureau, during its fourteenth regular meeting of the second annual session of the Tenth Term (2023–2027), reviewed today (Tuesday) the response of the Council of Ministers to the proposal submitted by the Education, Research, and Innovation Committee regarding the services provided by cultural attachés to Omani students studying abroad. The reply emphasized the government’s keen attention to the welfare of Omani students overseas through continuous coordination and effective cooperation among the concerned authorities, highlighting the pivotal role of cultural attachés in showcasing and promoting Oman’s cultural and civilizational heritage in host countries.

The meeting, chaired by His Excellency Khalid Hilal Al Maawali, Chairman of the Council, was attended by Their Excellencies the Bureau Members and His Excellency Sheikh Ahmed Mohammed Al Nadabi, Secretary-General of the Council.
The Bureau also reviewed the report of the Education, Research, and Innovation Committee regarding the employment of female graduates in Information Technology, which included details of the committee’s study procedures and its proposals to address the employment issue.
Furthermore, members considered the reply of His Excellency the Minister of Labour to a request for clarification concerning the employment of graduates in Dentistry and Oral Surgery. The response indicated that the matter primarily relates to the health sector and recommended its discussion with the Employment Governance Committee within the sector for further study and feedback.
The Bureau also reviewed the committee’s report on the financial allocations for students on domestic scholarships at private higher education institutions. The report noted disparities in financial entitlements between students enrolled in government and private institutions, in addition to differences in eligibility criteria, and recommended a review of the issue.
In addition, the Bureau examined a number of ministerial replies to follow-up tools submitted by members of the Council. Among them was the response of Her Excellency the Minister of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation to a question on academic efforts to utilize both discovered and undiscovered natural resources in Oman. The reply highlighted the Ministry’s work to strengthen collaboration with the public and private sectors to encourage support for research projects, including entering into partnerships aimed at building a knowledge-based economy. It also outlined initiatives such as the performance-based Institutional Funding Program and the “Ejad” platform, operated under the Institute of Advanced Technology Integration and Industrial Applications.


The Bureau further reviewed the reply of His Excellency the Minister of Health to a request for clarification on unifying health data between military and civilian hospitals. The reply confirmed the completion of integration for all health institutions under the Ministry of Health, with work ongoing to link several private health institutions. It also noted that the Ministry is finalizing the National Digital Health Strategy.
Other ministerial replies discussed during the meeting included the response of Her Excellency the Minister of Education to a question concerning the results of international assessments (TIMSS and PIRLS), and the reply of His Excellency the Minister of Economy to a request for clarification on the Development Projects Evaluation and Selection Matrix. The latter provided a list of priority development projects approved by the Ministry of Finance for 2025, as well as updates on the implementation status of projects across key sectors and governorates of the Sultanate.
The Bureau also reviewed a number of follow-up tools submitted by members and approved their referral to the relevant authorities. Among them were a request for clarification addressed to His Excellency the Minister of Information regarding the need to regulate unprofessional media practices on social media platforms, and a question to Her Excellency the Minister of Education on the future of curricula and school assignments in light of the growing use of artificial intelligence applications.