Sohar University signs agreement to incubate graduation projects

2026-02-22 - 06:26

Muscat – Sohar University witnessed the signing of a cooperation agreement with the Research and Innovation Authority to incubate graduation projects under the “upgrade” Program. The signing ceremony was held in the presence of H E Dr Saif bin Abdullah Al Hadaibi, President of the Research and Innovation Authority and Dr. Hamdan Al Fazari, Vice Chancellor of Sohar University. ‏This agreement stems from the principle of partnership and integration between education institutions and government entities in Oman, and reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the research and innovation ecosystem. It aims to empower students to transform their graduation projects into promising startups that contribute to the knowledge-based economy and promote a culture of entrepreneurship. ‏The “upgrade” Program seeks to incubate the best winning student graduation projects in each edition of the program and transform them into sole proprietorships or startup companies capable of growth and sustainability in the local market. Under the agreement, the Authority will assign incubation services to selected projects based on evaluation results and allocate financial support to the incubated teams. ‏For its part, Sohar University is committed to incubating the selected projects and providing an integrated environment that includes workspaces, shared offices, and essential services, in addition to technical mentoring and training. The University will also organize advisory sessions and workshops in management, marketing, and legal aspects to enhance the commercial readiness of the incubated projects. Furthermore, it will facilitate obtaining the necessary licenses and approvals, while conducting periodic follow-ups to address challenges and ensure the achievement of the program’s objectives. ‏The signing of this agreement reflects both parties’ commitment to supporting Omani youth talents, reinforcing the University’s role as a key driver of innovation and entrepreneurship, and transforming academic outcomes into economic ventures that contribute to job creation and sustainable development in Oman.