العربية
Reflecting its deep commitment to the health and safety of individuals and its belief that employees are the cornerstone of institutional success, Sohar University, in collaboration with the Social Protection Fund, organized a celebration for the World Day for Safety and Health at Work under the theme: “Artificial Intelligence and Digitalization: Our Path to a Safer Work Environment.” The event took place on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Sohar University, under the patronage of Brigadier Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Farsi, Police Commander of North Al Batinah Governorate .
The initiative comes as part of the ongoing efforts by the university and the Fund to promote a culture of occupational health and safety among employees, in line with their shared commitment to creating a safe and sustainable work environment, and in alignment with the goals of Oman Vision 2040, which emphasizes improving quality of life and raising institutional safety standards.
The event opened with a welcoming speech by Dr. Mohammed Al-Muqbali, Pro Vice Chancellor for Financial Affairs at Sohar University, in which he stated: “This forum coincides with a global occasion — the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, observed annually on April 28. This day, launched by the International Labour Organization, affirms that safety in the workplace is not a luxury, but a fundamental right for every worker and a shared responsibility. The theme of this year, ‘Artificial Intelligence and Digitalization: Our Path to a Safer Work Environment’, highlights the importance of adopting modern technologies to move from reaction to prevention, and from response to proactive protection.”
He added:
“At Sohar University, we believe that building a safe and sustainable work and learning environment is an integral part of our academic and social mission. Over the past years, we have worked on developing our occupational health and safety system comprehensively, with a focus on digital transformation as a key enabler for performance improvement and safety culture advancement.”
Following this, Mr. Ahmed Al-Zaabi, Director of the Social Protection Fund in North Al Batinah, delivered the forum’s keynote address. He noted:
“The Fund, through this forum in collaboration with Sohar University, seeks to engage all participants in raising awareness about the importance of occupational health and safety, building a strong safety culture, and developing safety skills. This is especially relevant with the integration of digitalization and artificial intelligence technologies across all sectors in Oman. The forum also presents achievements made in this field and the dedicated efforts of the working teams striving to achieve positive national outcomes.”
The forum included a rich program of scientific and professional presentations, including a session on the benefits of compensation for workplace injuries and occupational diseases, and another on procedures for reporting workplace incidents. Sohar University presented a working paper titled “Enhancing Safety Culture through Digital Transformation and Sustainability”, delivered by Mr. Mohammed Al-Buriki, Head of the Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) Section.
Additional presentations were delivered by:
- Ms. Amna Al-Ansari, Senior Specialist Occupational Health at OQ, on the role of medical fitness in preventing workplace accidents.
- Mr. Yahya Al-Siyabi, HSE Director at the Oman Energy Association (OPAL), who discussed “The Voice of the Industry: OPAL’s Commitment to Transforming HSE Culture in the Energy and Minerals Sector.”
The event also featured a panel discussion with experts and specialists from various sectors, focusing on key challenges and solutions in occupational health and safety within the era of digital transformation.
An accompanying awareness exhibition saw participation from a wide range of public and private sector organizations, including:
- Royal Oman Police
- Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority
- Directorate General of Health Services
- Oman Occupational, Health, Safety and Environment Team
- Sohar Aluminium
- OQ
- Oman Road Safety Association
- Sohar University
- Social Protection Fund
- Al-Saada Hospital
The exhibition served as a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange and showcasing the latest technologies and innovations in the field of occupational safety and health.
This event reflects Sohar University’s ongoing commitment to institutional sustainability by promoting awareness of workplace safety, equipping individuals with the skills to navigate modern work environments, and contributing to the objectives of Oman Vision 2040, which prioritizes building a prosperous, human-centered society and strengthening health and safety systems to enhance quality of life and support sustainable development.