Pure Life essay writing contest

Pure Life essay writing competition, promoted by National Heaters Industries came to a close with a prize distribution ceremony at the Indian School Muscat (ISM) premises. The competition which is currently in its fifth year was held for grade six and seven students from 18 schools across the Sultanate, with over 3000 students taking part in it. The topic for this year’s contest was – ‘My Green World’. Senior officials from National Heaters Industries, principals of various Indian schools and other special invitees graced the occasion. The essays winning the first prize from each school were evaluated and selected for ‘The Best School Trophy’ by a panel of eminent jurists comprising Dr Ali Al Balushi, Assistant Professor, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Sultan Qaboos University; and Mayank Singh, Editor, Oman Economic Review. ‘The Best School Trophy’ was bagged by Pakistan School Muscat this year.

Omran honoured for supporting youth
Omran, the government-owned tourism and real estate development company, has been awarded the shield of the Batinah south region, in recognition of its efforts in helping Omani youth through its support of Outward Bound Oman/Tahaddi and Injaz Oman. The educational programmes help young Omanis in the region and across Oman develop the life skills sought by employers and bridge the gap between educational environments and the workplace. The shield was presented to Dana Sarhan, Corporate Social Responsibility and marketing manager at Omran by Dr Sana bint Sabil Balushi during a special ceremony for careers advisors organised by the Education Directorate General in the Batinah south region. Wael al Lawati, CEO, Omran, said: “As a company with a strong commitment to corporate social responsibility, we are hon- oured to be receiving the shield of Batinah.” Omran has partnered with Injaz Oman, a non-profit organisation and a member of the Junior Achievement Worldwide organisation. The programme helps run business and economics programmes for youth aged 12-21 in schools and universities across the Sultanate, teaching them how to start and manage businesses.

Pizza Hut launches pizza sandwich
Pizza Hut Oman announced an innovation, which will revolutionise the traditional family pizza to suit the needs of busy teens and young adults. The new P’Zone pizza sandwich is designed to be eaten ‘on the go’ by busy individuals who are looking for a convenient alternative to a sit down meal in a restaurant. Whilst the P’Zone will not replace the traditional wheel shaped family pizza, it will enable Pizza Hut to expand its offering to attract a new market of highly active individuals seeking convenient, satisfying and delicious meal solutions. The P’Zone is available now at all Pizza Hut stores in five mouthwatering toppings including supreme, meaty, chicken, vegetarian and margherita. The P’Zone is very aggressively priced at less than two rials.

Khimji’s Mart’s retail awards
Khimji’s Mart announced the winners of its Retail Awards 2009 for its employees. The award competition featured four categories. Khimji’s Mart Al Khuwair won the Best Outlet of the Year award while Jitesh Bhimji Thanki, Jayaprakash S Pillai, and Ibrahim Issa Khamis al Balushi bagged the Best Employee of the Year, Best Outlet Manager of the Year and Best National Customer Service Manager respectively. Entries were received from 19 outlets and nearly 475 Khimji’s Mart employees. The winners were felicitated in the annual staff get-together. Presenting the award, Nailesh Khimji, Director, Khimji Ramdas, said, “Khimji’s Mart has maintained its tradition of setting new benchmarks towards better customer service that are vital for a professional environment.”

Made-in-Oman LCD TV
The Omani-Korean Company, a majority Omani held joint venture with a Korean partner, has started to manufacture LCD televisions for the first time in the Sultanate. A whole new state-of-the-art plant is already set up by the Omani-Korean company that will be operational shortly in Sohar. Suleiman bin Mohammed bin Hamed Al Yahyai, the founder of the company, says that the projected market size for the regions is in the range of 6.9 million units with a compound annual growth rate in excess of
15 per cent. The Oman market size is projected to grow at a much higher rate.

Colleges of Applied Sciences Careers Fair
The upcoming Colleges of Applied Sciences Careers Fair will take place between March 22-24 at Sohar College of Applied Sciences. This is the first ever careers fair event for the Colleges of Applied Sciences (with Colleges in Ibri, Nizwa, Sur, Salalah, Rustaq and Sohar) to coincide with the graduation of its first cohort of students in the summer of 2010. Over 36 organisations from the private and public sectors will participate in this exhibition. The participation of these organisations will provide them with an opportunity to interact with a large number of job applicants easily and inexpensively. The fair offers companies a chance to make initial contact with a large pool of potential work placement students as there over 1,500 students from the Colleges of Applied sciences
that are expected to graduate in summer 2010.

Shell Oman joins Biosphere project
Shell Oman co-sponsored the Biosphere Expedition which concluded its 2010 survey of the Arabian Leopard among the remote mountains of Dhofar region. To Shell Oman Marketing Company this support comes in line with its sustainable development plans and compliments its commitment to developing ecotourism in the Sultanate of Oman. This expedition is monitored and facilitated by the Office of Conservation of Environment in the Diwan of Royal Court. The expedition is especially significant since the Arabian leopard is the last surviving species of Big Cat on the Arabian Peninsula and is critically endangered. The team managed to achieve its objectives for this year led by Ronald Seipold and scientist Tessa McGregor. The Biosphere expeditions bring together people from different walks of life to support wildlife research and conservation in various parts of the world. Like last year, the Biosphere Expedition this year worked in the Dhofar mountains to look for signs of Arabian leopard and to estimate the abundance of the important leopard prey species in the area. The research team also conducted interviews of local people to better understand the relationship between local communities and the leopard.

Zawawi National Youth Hockey League
The Oman Hockey Association (OHA) and Zawawi Trading Company (ZTC) are all set to begin this year’s ‘Zawawi National Youth Hockey League’ simultaneously in Muscat and Salalah from February 8. The teams will be divided into two groups this year. Officials of the Oman Hockey Association (OHA) revealed that nine teams have registered for this year’s tournament, the draw for which was conducted at the Al Falaj Hotel in the presence of Reem Bint Omar al Zawawi, Chairperson, OIB. Over the years the OHA has been organising the preliminary rounds of the Zawawi National Youth Hockey League in three regions - Muscat, Batinah and Dhofar.

ADINC joins the global ‘IN’ network

Looking for global reach? What about a network of 98 marketing agencies in 148 cities, 91 countries and every continent not made of ice? Very difficult to believe, but absolutely true; because all this and more is now provided by the International Network (IN) agency that Advertising International Company (ADINC) is proud to be a part of. Bikram Sehgal, general manager, ADINC says, “We are extremely happy to announce that ADINC is now a part of the world renowned IN network. IN works for local, regional, multi-domestic and global clients, both directly and in co-operation with other IN network agencies. By being part of the IN network we will not only be able to serve our esteemed clientele in Oman better, but will also be able to provide our assistance and expertise for their advertising and integrated marketing communication needs the world over.”

OIB’s World Cup promotion
With the excitement of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa just around the corner, Oman International Bank (OIB) announced the “2010 FIFA WORLD CUP PROMOTION” in conjunction with VISA. As per the promotion specifications, all purchases, big and small, locally or internationally, with OIB Visa Credit, Visa Debit or Visa Debit Chip cards between January 15 and February 28, 2010 stand a chance to go into the draw to win an all-expenses-paid trip for two to watch the FIFA World Cup live in South Africa. During the promotion the OIB Customers who use their card will automatically go into the draw. OIB credit and debit cards are accepted anywhere in the world and in more than 29 million merchant outlets, OIB Credit Cards offer unbeatable advantages as maximum purchasing power, international convenience, peace of mind, unlimited access, more flexibility, deliver the financial freedom and convenience that today’s diverse priorities and lifestyle require. OIB is one of the largest issuer of debit cards with 83 branches all over Oman.

Top^