In a move reflecting forward-looking trends toward fostering innovation and technology, the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority in the Sultanate of Oman has organized a pioneering training program on AI-supported project management. This program, held in the Musandam Governorate, specifically targeted entrepreneurs and owners of small and medium enterprises, and took place at the seminar hall of the Authority’s administration in Khasab.
AI: A Paradigm Shift in Project Management
The training program covered a set of core topics essential for developing a comprehensive understanding of artificial intelligence and its applications in project management. The program commenced with an extensive introduction to AI and its significance, followed by a review of the various stages of industrial revolutions, culminating in the determined efforts by the Sultanate of Oman to activate this vital field.
Integrating Technology with Human Expertise
The program delved into the types and techniques of artificial intelligence and how to leverage them across different phases of project management, from planning and execution to monitoring, control, and closure. It also addressed the responsibilities of project managers, such as leadership, effective communication, negotiation, problem-solving, and influencing the system. The challenges and solutions related to AI in project management were highlighted, with an emphasis on maintaining a balance between technology and human expertise.
Future Vision and Promising Aspirations
The training program was led by Ibrahim bin Said Al Abri, who has extensive experience in this field. Hamad Mohammed Al Shahi, Acting Director of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority in Musandam Governorate, asserted that this program is part of a strategic plan aimed at empowering entrepreneurs through a series of comprehensive training programs that enhance their skills and help them achieve success in their current and future endeavors.
Participants’ Testimonials
Dr. Tariq Hamadi Al Shahi, owner of Marooj Engineering Consultancy in Musandam, praised the program for meeting modern requirements and technological advancements. He expressed hope that such training programs would be extended to school students as part of vocational guidance that helps hone their skills from a young age.
Iman Al Saltiyah, owner of Zari Project in Khasab, noted that the AI project management program enhances efficiency and productivity. She emphasized that such programs play a crucial role in developing institutions and raising productivity levels, in addition to serving as a means to build relationships with other entrepreneurs in the governorate.
Program Conclusion and Future Recommendations
The program concluded with participants underscoring the importance of such initiatives in enabling AI project management, stressing the need for the continuous organization of similar events to bolster innovation and technology in the Sultanate.
Source: Oman Newspaper
