Renaissance backs Early Intervention teacher training programme
Renaissance Services has donated RO 85,000 in 2009 as part of its pledge to support local organisation Association of Early Intervention for Children with Special Needs with RO 250,000 over three years. Renaissance reported the arrangement last year as a fund toward a diploma programme in special education for 45 Omani teachers. The outcome will enable the graduates to acquire specialist skills that assist the empowerment of the young children to live active roles in society. The Association aims to create a model resource centre and training programmes that serves disabled children with a comprehensive early intervention that covers social, medical, physical, occupational therapies and academic services. Renaissance CEO Stephen Thomas said, “While we do not normally publicise specific donations made as part of the corporate social responsibility programme at Renaissance, beyond the disclosure requirements as a public company listed on the Muscat Securities Market, on this occasion we would like to urge others to support the outstanding work of the Association in whatever way they can. We can all learn from these wonderful children who take on their challenges with positive thinking and possess qualities of friendship and unconditional love from which we might all learn. It is clear that these young children can make an outstanding contribution to society as they progress through life.”
 

Bait Al Ahlam at Al Ghubrah
A new Bait Al Ahlam was inaugurated at Al Ghubrah under the auspices of the Wali of Bousher Shaikh Ibrahim Bin Yahya Al-Rawahi along with the Directors and senior management from Khimji Ramdas. The 550 sq.m Al Ghubrah showroom will display an exclusive global products range, and is the latest addition to the Bail Al Ahlam chain at MBD, Ruwi High Street, Al Khuwair, Al Khoud and Sohar. The Al Ghubrah Bait Al Ahlam will display the world’s leading brands including ROCA, the world’s largest manufacturer of sanitary-ware from Spain, Air Conditioners from Fujitsu General, Japan, Classic Air Conditioners from Saudi Arabia, Premium Home Appliances from Siemens (Germany), Indesit (Italy) and Frigidaire (U.S.A.) along with Modular Kitchens from Aran Cucine (Italy) bringing the choice, quality, value for money backed by extensive product warranty and the assurance of pre and post-sales services.
 

BankMuscat opens 122nd branch
The 122nd branch of BankMuscat, the leading financial institution in the Sultanate, was inaugurated in Sur under the patronage of Sheikh Khalifah bin Saleh bin Salim Al Busaidi, Deputy Wali of Sur. The state-of-the-art Al Afiah branch is the third BankMuscat branch to be opened in Sur. A large gathering of dignitaries, guests and senior bank officials, including AbdulRazak Ali Issa, Chief Executive of BankMuscat, were present on the occasion. “As the nation’s leading bank, BankMuscat is in the forefront of the Sultanate’s progress and development, being an integral part in the lives of citizens and residents spread across Oman. The expanding branch network reflects BankMuscat’s commitment to remain the nation’s bank of first choice in all parts of the country,” AbdulRazak Ali Issa, said.
 

Imam wins Merc in Mandoos draw
Another star shone among the lucky winners of OIB the 312 winners, of Mandoos exciting prize programme draw. This time the luck smiled for Imam Bakhush Ahmed, a customer of Musakar Al-Murtafa branch, who won A Mercedes C180. Ali bin Dawood al-Maimani, Manager Retail Banking and the District Manager for Muscat, and Tahira Abdul Baqi – Manager of Musakar Al-Murtafa Branch delivered the key of the car to the winner. The Friend and Partner offers Mandoos Prize programme 2009, and a number of 312 Mercedes, with 25 Mercedes class C , and 12 Mercedes cars class S allocated for the Renaissance day and the National Day.
 

Students graduate from PDO vocational training
A total of twenty-five Omani students from north Oman graduated from a vocational training course at a special ceremony held in Ibri under the auspices of HE Hamad bin Khamis Al-Amry, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Manpower for Technical Education and Vocational Training and attended by officials from Petroleum Development Oman (PDO). The course known as ‘Training for Employment’ was sponsored and funded by PDO under the terms of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with the Ministry of Manpower (MoM) in February 2008 under which students would undergo vocational training at MoM-approved training centres. PDO’s Oil North Director Saif Al-Hinai commented that: “The graduation ceremony today reflects the intimate relationship that exists between the Company and the local communities, which goes back more than four decades.”
 

BizPro winners meet to exchange expectations
All the nine winners of the NTI BizPro Young Achievers Awards to date met at a unique session to discuss their individual career paths, and their expectations from their employers. The BizPro awards, instituted by the National Training Institute (NTI), are a definitive thrust towards recognising the role models and mentors of the business world in Oman. Designed to recognise and reward Omanis who have excelled in their professional domains, hundreds of candidates have been nominated from all leading corporate houses of Oman, and appraised using a professional assessment model designed by KPMG. During the exceedingly stimulating interaction, the young Omani professionals spoke out about not just their expectations, but also about how they were individually re-shaping their career paths after the win.
 

A’Saffa gives back to the community
A’Saffa Poultry Farms has been actively engaging itself in numerous social activities. It recently took the initiative to help the Al Wafa Center for Voluntary Work and the Association for the welfare of the Handicapped children. The Association of welfare for the Handicapped children as well as Al Wafa Center for Voluntary Work aim at providing children with a sense of belonging. There were several fun activities planned for the children. “A’Saffa has always believed in giving back to the society especially to the local community. The young children are the future of tomorrow and it is very important to nurture and hone their skills and talent. Most importantly, we need to give these children the confidence and trust to be independent and contribute productively to society,” says Daeij al Hosni, of A’Saffa.
 

Sadolin organises ‘DIY Paint Day’
Maybe a major renovation isn’t in your near future, but choosing key colours may be what you need for an interior and exterior facelift. Keeping this in mind, Sadolin Paints Oman hosted a fun packed ‘Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Paint Day’ for women at its unique Colour Point outlet – ‘Hamed Bin Abdullah Al Rusheidi & Partners Trading’ in Al Ghubra recently. The fun and rollicking painting experience allowed women to touch feel and discover colours and emulsions under various lighting conditions. The women were also given a chance to experiment with various colour combinations to understand how a particular shade will look in their own homes. One of the many attendees, Nirmeen Mohammed Nasr, Dentist, Ministry of Health says, “The ‘Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Paint Day’ was a fun experience and I am thoroughly impressed by what I have discovered about paints and what they can do in our lives."
 

Standard Chartered's new branch
Standard Chartered Group Executive Director, Gareth Bullock led the opening of the bank’s new branch in Al Ghubra. Joined by HE Yahya Said Al Jabri, Executive President of the Capital Market Authority in Oman, Gareth welcomed new customers, discussed Standard Chartered’s achievements over the last 40 years in Oman and spoke of the bank’s focus on improving its local distribution capability in order to serve its customers better. The branch will cater to the specific needs of individuals and corporates located in and around Al Ghubra, Al Khuwair and Al Azaiba. Services offered will include current and savings accounts, credit cards, personal loans, electronic banking and NRI services. The branch will also have a 24 hour ATM.
 

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