In tandem with its commitment to encourage and empower Omani youth and help them win and prosper, Sohar International was the main sponsor of an event that feted over 200 students that had received an ‘outstanding’ grade of 90% or more in their General Education Diploma from schools across the Wilayat of Sohar. Held under the patronage of H.E. Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef, Chairman of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), the event was organized to celebrate and honor achievements of young Omanis, as well as encourage them towards a path of continued excellence and winning.

Mr. Khalil Al Hedaifi, Chief Retail Banking Officer of Sohar International, represented the Bank at the event that witnessed the presence of prominent members of the Shura Council, Municipal Council, dignitaries, parents, corporate sponsors, media representatives and others. Sohar International had put up a special booth at the event that helped provide attendees with information about Sohar International’s wide range of products and services catering to the young Omani meeting their life styles and financial requirements.

The event began with a speech that was delivered by the founder of the initiative - H.E. Dr. Mohamed Ibrahim Al Zadjali who thanked the sponsors for supporting the event, and stressed on the importance of empowering Omani youth. Mr. Khalil Al Hedaifi also took center-stage at the event, and explained the significance of supporting events of this nature; while highlighting the Bank’s efforts towards the empowerment of Omani youth through initiatives, as well as the sponsorship of youth icons - Nadhira Al Harthy – the first female Omani to climb Mt. Everest and the Formula 4 Champion Shihab Al Habsi. This was followed by several cultural programmes that included poetry readings and speeches by the students. The day’s proceedings came to a close with the awards presentation ceremony felicitating the students.

Highlighting the Bank’s support to events that promote educational excellence for the continued progress of the youth in particular, and the nation at large, Mr Khalil Al Hedaifi averred, “Events of this nature serve as the ideal forum for us to meet and interact with the nation’s fastest growing demographic, while encouraging them toward a path of winning and excellence. With our avant-garde vision for the next five years and beyond, we continue our efforts to play a vital role in Oman’s socio-economic development with a special focus on the youth. Given that 50% of Oman’s population is under the age of 25, it is only a matter of time that the academic achievers of today will become the leaders of tomorrow. Through our support and participation to events of this nature, we aim to lead and encourage the youth of our beloved nation towards a winning future right from the onset.”

Sponsoring this salient event for the second time is in line with Sohar International’s goal of supporting community-centric activities and initiatives that are geared towards the empowerment of the youth. In keeping with this, the Bank had introduced “Tomohi - Sohar International’s Chairman’s Forum” which provides a yearlong internship programme aimed at enhancing the skills of Omani youth to raise the employability of graduates. Another initiative by the bank introduced was “ViewPoints” that has received significantly high recognition, providing beneficiaries talks and experiences from world-renowned leaders with a view to inspire local minds, motivating them towards realizing future economic progress for the nation. It is important to note, that supplementary engagement strategies targeted at the youth by the Bank, have also seen it participate in career fairs, as well as host school students at its various branches around the sultanate.