Muscat: The Royal Academy of Management, in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior, has launched a specialized programme for Municipal Council members from across Oman. The innovative programme was inaugurated under the auspices of Sayyid Khalifa Al Murdas Al Busaidi, Secretary General at the Ministry of Interior. The initiative aligns with the vision of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, which aims to cultivate national leadership and enhance the skills of future-ready leaders to meet the goals of the Oman Vision 2040.
According to Oman News Agency, Dr. Fathiya Abdullah Al Rashdi, Vice President for Programme Affairs at the Royal Academy of Management, stated that the launch of the Municipal Council Members Programme is part of ongoing efforts to enhance the capabilities of national talent. This initiative focuses on fostering administrative and economic decentralization in Oman’s governorates by exploring best practices in local public governance. It represents a fundamental step towards empowering Municipal Council members to innovatively and effectively perform their role and emphasizes the importance of leveraging available resources to achieve sustainable development.
Dr. Al Rashdi added that the programme incorporates interactive workshops, dialogue sessions, and case studies, featuring practical models for operational plans and projects that enhance local development and improve the efficiency of national leadership. The programme aims to fine-tune the leadership skills of Municipal Council members, expand their ability to propose and implement innovative initiatives, and boost their competencies in monitoring developmental and public service projects. It also seeks to build their capabilities in data analysis, strategic planning, performance evaluation, and infrastructure development.
A key objective of the programme is to strengthen the role of Municipal Council members within the local governance framework. This includes equipping them with leadership expertise, enhancing their ability to evaluate proposals and initiatives, and deepening their understanding of administrative procedures for public service projects. The programme encourages active community engagement, ensuring members contribute effectively to local decision-making processes.
The significance of fine-tuning the skills of Municipal Council members to deliver efficient public services and make informed decisions is emphasized. An important objective is to foster collaboration between Council members and young Omanis, encouraging the development of innovative community initiatives and public service projects that support sustainable development and improve the quality of life across the governorates.
The Municipal Council Members Programme follows a structured learning approach, offering a comprehensive overview of the responsibilities of the Municipal Council and the role of members in reviewing proposals, overseeing service projects, and engaging with local communities. The programme will accommodate five groups, comprising a total of 148 Municipal Council members from across Oman, and will include advisory sessions with government officials and representatives from the private sector to facilitate knowledge exchange.
The programme’s curriculum includes dialogue sessions on smart cities and project design and evaluation, alongside core modules on emotional intelligence, effective communication, decision-making, strategic thinking, and data analysis. These elements collectively contribute to enhancing governance performance across Oman’s governorates.
The launch of the Municipal Council Members Programme builds upon the Royal Academy of Management’s ongoing efforts to advance local governance in Oman. It further strengthens the role of Municipal Council members in realizing the leadership’s vision of optimizing resources to improve the well-being of Omani citizens.
The Royal Academy of Management has introduced several national initiatives, including the National Initiative for Local Administration Development, the Governors’ Programme, and the Walis’ Programme, all instrumental in supporting the competitiveness and development of Oman’s governorates by developing governance capabilities and promoting administrative and economic decentralization.