{"id":13025,"date":"2026-07-05T13:27:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-05T09:27:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/news\/economy\/oq-steps-builds-student-leaders\/"},"modified":"2026-07-06T02:18:25","modified_gmt":"2026-07-05T22:18:25","slug":"oq-steps-builds-student-leaders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/news\/economy\/oq-steps-builds-student-leaders\/","title":{"rendered":"OQ\u2019s \u2018Steps\u2019 Programme: Empowering Future Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs in Oman"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>\r\n@keyframes hitv3sog-fadein{from{opacity:0;transform:translateY(14px)}to{opacity:1;transform:translateY(0)}}\r\n@keyframes hitv3sog-slideup{from{opacity:0;transform:translateY(20px)}to{opacity:1;transform:translateY(0)}}\r\n@keyframes hitv3sog-pulse{0%,100%{box-shadow:0 0 14px #dc262688}50%{box-shadow:0 0 32px #dc2626,0 0 60px #dc262655}}\r\n@keyframes 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solid rgba(255,255,255,0.18);backdrop-filter:blur(8px);-webkit-backdrop-filter:blur(8px);border-radius:20px;padding:3px 10px 3px 7px;margin-bottom:clamp(5px,0.6vw,9px);animation:hitv3sog-badge 0.5s ease both;\"><span style=\"display:inline-block;width:6px;height:6px;border-radius:50%;background:#dc2626;flex-shrink:0;\"><\/span><span style=\"font-size:clamp(8px,0.9vw,10px);font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0.07em;color:rgba(255,255,255,0.88);text-transform:uppercase;white-space:nowrap;\">EXCLUSIVE OMAN OFFER<\/span><\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"hitv3sogh\" style=\"animation:hitv3sog-slideup 0.7s ease both;animation-delay:0.15s;\">Websites For <span style=\"color:#dc2626;\">Omani Businesses.<\/span><\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"hitv3sogs\" style=\"animation:hitv3sog-slideup 0.7s ease both;animation-delay:0.3s;\">Empower your brand with custom digital solutions designed for high conversion and market dominance.<\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"hitv3sogbl\"><div class=\"hitv3sogbi\"><span style=\"display:inline-block;width:5px;height:5px;border-radius:50%;background:#dc2626;flex-shrink:0;margin-right:7px;\"><\/span><span>Responsive designs built for growth<\/span><\/div><div class=\"hitv3sogbi\"><span style=\"display:inline-block;width:5px;height:5px;border-radius:50%;background:#dc2626;flex-shrink:0;margin-right:7px;\"><\/span><span>Fast loading with smart automation<\/span><\/div><\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  \r\n  <div class=\"hitv3sogct\">\r\n    <button class=\"hitv3sogbtn\" style=\"animation:hitv3sog-pulse 2.5s ease-in-out infinite;animation-delay:1s;\">Build Your Free Website <span style=\"opacity:.9;\">\u2192<\/span><\/button>\r\n    <div class=\"hitv3sogbr\">hit.land<\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n<\/a>\r\n<\/div>\n<p><\/p>\n<p>MUSCAT: OQ, the global energy investment group, successfully concluded the inaugural edition of the &#8220;Steps&#8221; Programme, implemented in collaboration with Outward Bound Oman and the Ministry of Education. The closing ceremony took place at Outward Bound Oman\u2019s headquarters in Al Seeb.<\/p>\n<p>The event was held under the patronage of Dr. Intisar bint Abdullah al Ambosaidi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Education for Educational Support Programmes, with the attendance of representatives from partner organisations, participating students, and their parents.<\/p>\n<p>As part of OQ\u2019s social investment initiatives, the &#8220;Steps&#8221; Programme aims to support school students in building character and enhancing leadership and life skills. Through experiential learning and practical educational activities, the programme fostered self-confidence and teamwork, preparing students for future opportunities in alignment with Oman Vision 2040.<\/p>\n<p>Maha al Balushi, Business Development Manager at Outward Bound Oman, opened the ceremony with a speech describing &#8220;Steps&#8221; as a national platform for student capability development. She emphasized the significance of investing in youth as an investment in Oman\u2019s future. The programme employed Outward Bound Oman\u2019s experiential learning methodology, enabling participants to confront real-life challenges that enhanced their leadership, communication, and teamwork skills, while nurturing responsibility, initiative, self-reliance, and awareness of future academic and career pathways.<\/p>\n<p>The programme engaged 240 school students from across Oman, offering three progressive learning levels tailored to different age groups and educational stages. It aimed to shape participants\u2019 character, build self-confidence, develop leadership and life skills, and improve their ability to collaborate effectively and confidently face challenges.<\/p>\n<p>A video presentation during the ceremony showcased the programme\u2019s key milestones, experiential activities, participant challenges, and major outcomes achieved.<\/p>\n<p>Said al Badaai, Head of Social Investment at OQ, stated: &#8220;<strong>Steps embodies OQ Group&#8217;s vision for social investment, focusing on nurturing national talent and creating lasting societal impact.<\/strong> Through this programme, students embarked on a comprehensive learning journey that empowered them to recognize their strengths, build self-confidence, and cultivate essential leadership and life skills for their academic and professional futures.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>He added, &#8220;The programme\u2019s success highlights the strength of the strategic partnership between OQ Group, the Ministry of Education, and Outward Bound Oman. Initiatives like Steps are crucial in preparing a generation equipped with the skills, confidence, and values needed to contribute meaningfully to Oman\u2019s ongoing development.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><style>\r\n@keyframes hitl8gak-fadein{from{opacity:0;transform:translateY(14px)}to{opacity:1;transform:translateY(0)}}\r\n@keyframes hitl8gak-slideup{from{opacity:0;transform:translateY(20px)}to{opacity:1;transform:translateY(0)}}\r\n@keyframes hitl8gak-pulse{0%,100%{box-shadow:0 0 14px #dc262688}50%{box-shadow:0 0 32px #dc2626,0 0 60px #dc262655}}\r\n@keyframes hitl8gak-shimmer{0%,100%{opacity:0.3;transform:scaleX(0.4)}50%{opacity:1;transform:scaleX(1)}}\r\n@keyframes hitl8gak-glow{0%,100%{opacity:0.6}50%{opacity:1}}\r\n@keyframes hitl8gak-badge{from{opacity:0;transform:scale(0.8)}to{opacity:1;transform:scale(1)}}\r\n<\/style><style>\r\n.hitl8gakw{container-type:inline-size;width:100%;max-width:970px;margin:0 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style=\"display:inline-block;width:5px;height:5px;border-radius:50%;background:#dc2626;flex-shrink:0;margin-right:7px;\"><\/span><span>SEO-optimized & lightning fast<\/span><\/div><div class=\"hitl8gakbi\"><span style=\"display:inline-block;width:5px;height:5px;border-radius:50%;background:#dc2626;flex-shrink:0;margin-right:7px;\"><\/span><span>Smart features built for your business<\/span><\/div><\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  \r\n  <div class=\"hitl8gakct\">\r\n    <button class=\"hitl8gakbtn\" style=\"animation:hitl8gak-pulse 2.5s ease-in-out infinite;animation-delay:1s;\">Get Free Consultation <span style=\"opacity:.9;\">\u2192<\/span><\/button>\r\n    <div class=\"hitl8gakbr\">hit.land<\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n<\/a>\r\n<\/div><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>Special Analysis by Omanet | Navigate Oman&#8217;s Market<\/p>\n<p>The successful completion of OQ&#8217;s &#8220;Steps&#8221; Programme signals a <strong>strategic investment in Oman&#8217;s youth<\/strong>, aligning with Oman Vision 2040 to build future-ready leaders with strong life and teamwork skills. For businesses, this means a <strong>rising pool of skilled, confident talent<\/strong> capable of driving innovation and growth, while entrepreneurs and investors should consider opportunities in educational technology, youth development, and leadership training sectors. The programme also mitigates future workforce risks by fostering critical soft skills early, positioning Oman for sustainable socioeconomic advancement.<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>OQ concluded the first edition of the &#8220;Steps&#8221; Programme, in partnership with Outward Bound Oman and the Ministry of Education, to develop students&#8217; leadership and life skills. 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