Oman unveils Hadatha Centre to promote cybersecurity innovation
The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, in collaboration with the National Center for Information Safety and Sultan Qaboos University, has opened the Hadatha Centre for Cybersecurity Industry. The inauguration ceremony was chaired by Dr Ali bin Amer al Shaidani, Under-Secretary for Communications and Information Technology, with His Highness Dr Fahd bin Jalandi Al Said, President of Sultan Qaboos University, and other senior officials in attendance as well.
The Hadatha Centre will enhance research, innovation, and development in cybersecurity and position Oman as a regional hub for digital security. It will create a thriving academic community that attracts innovation and stimulates cutting-edge solutions.
Eng Badr bin Ali Al Salhi, Director General of the National Center for Information Safety within the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology said: "The launch of the 'Hadatha Centre for Cybersecurity Industry' comes in line with the National Cybersecurity Industry Programme. The centre will create specialized national capabilities, guard digital sovereignty, and drive economic diversification in a sector envisioned to be worth more than $10 trillion worldwide by 2030."
Eng Al Salhi continued further: "Supported by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology and universities, the centre will provide financial and technical assistance to aid students and researchers in developing local solutions and tech start-ups, promoting national security and economy."
One of the key priorities of the centre is to create a culture of innovation for Omani youth by providing them with the facilities and resources so they can contribute to the sector. Through the development of the National Cybersecurity Industry Programme, the centre will facilitate coordination between academic institutions, government departments, and private sector stakeholders.
The initiative also aims to stimulate investment in the cybersecurity field, supporting economic and social development while localising technologies in line with global trends. It will prioritise skills development among young Omanis, enabling them to produce competitive, locally developed cybersecurity products suitable for export to regional and international markets.
Dr Mohammed bin Mani' Baitsuwailim, Associate Professor at the College of Engineering, and Director of the Communications and Information Research Center at Sultan Qaboos University, commented, "The centre is a research nucleus that supports student projects and fuels innovation in cybersecurity. It is playing a vital role in preparing students for the employment sector and business entrepreneurship in the Sultanate, while building national capacities that can propel digital development and sustainable growth in Oman in the long term."
"A comprehensive cybersecurity programme will take effect in September 2025 for an entire school year. It will provide worthy students with useful concepts through practical training and professional workshops. The participants will then proceed to conduct individual research under the mentorship of experienced scholars from the technical committee of the centre, who have extensive experience in cybersecurity technologies." Dr Baitsuwailim added.
This initiative supports Oman Vision 2040 through the promotion of economic diversification, digital sovereignty, and human capital development. Hadatha Centre reflects a focus on innovation, skills, and entrepreneurship that aligns with the vision to build a sustainable knowledge economy and make Oman a regional technology leader.
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