Seminar discusses role of academics in supporting innovation, startups

Muscat: The Entrepreneurship and Startups Seminar for the Education Sector, held under the title "From Idea to Impact: Building an Entrepreneurship and Startups Ecosystem in a Sustainable University Environment," discussed means of rising awareness of entrepreneurship in the university environment and its role in achieving the objectives of Oman Vision 2040.The event also shed light on the role of academics and administrators in supporting innovation and startups, reviewed successful models and experiences, stimulated entrepreneurial thinking among students and faculty members, and drew on global expertise in the field of university entrepreneurship. The opening of the seminar was held under the patronage of Dr. Abdullah Ali Al Shibli, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education for Higher Education.It was organised by the Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Riyada,) on Wednesday in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and the Research and Innovation Authority, within the framework of efforts aimed at enhancing integration between education institutions and entities supporting the entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem in the Sultanate of Oman.The seminar targets officials of innovation centres, business incubators and investment funds, thereby enhancing dialogue among the various parties of the ecosystem, with the aim of creating a platform that brings together government and academic entities, the private sector and investors.It also contributes to linking academic knowledge with practical application and transforming university ideas and innovations into projects and startups capable of growth and reaching the market, as well as promoting a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation within education institutions.The seminar programme included three panel sessions. The first session discussed the role of entities supporting the entrepreneurship and startups ecosystem in the university environment, with the participation of representatives from Riyada, the Ministry of Education, the Research and Innovation Authority, Sultan Qaboos University and the Future Fund Oman. It focused on facilitating students' and academics' access to support services, enhancing integration among entities and universities, and linking university research outputs to market needs.The second session reviewed "From Idea to Market: Local and Global Models in Incubating University Innovation," covering the experiences of universities and colleges in establishing business incubators and building ecosystems conducive to entrepreneurship, as well as the experience of the Middle East College and global experiences in attracting university innovation.The third session shed light on promoting a culture of innovation in the university environment, through working papers discussing the development of academic curricula and their linkage to the business sector and emerging technologies, and the use of real-world projects in developing entrepreneurial thinking, as well as reviewing modern approaches for moving entrepreneurship from theoretical concepts within classrooms to applicable projects and startups.