Course for budding Omani business leader

The 37 graduates have developed business ideas and pitched them to a Dragons’ Den style panel of entrepreneurs as part of the course.

The ideas included an image and beauty consultants business for women in Oman and a sign language recognition service.

The graduates have been in Wolverhampton during August and September and will now return to Oman and continue work to launch their businesses in their own country.

As well as learning entrepreneurial skills and developing business plans, the group, which included 30 women, also visited London and Manchester and had dinner with the Mayor of Wolverhampton.

The course was delivered by the Business Solutions Centre at the University and funded by the Ministry for Higher Education in Oman.

Jawaher Al-Ghaithi, 22, from Sohar and Salima Al-Sawai, 23, from Al-burimi, are developing their beauty and image consultancy business, A Touch of Beauty, which will offer make-up, colour and style advice to Omani women. Their plan is to expand into airports and eventually create their own cosmetics range.

Jawaher said: “There is nothing like our business in the Middle East – there are make-up advisors but there is no business to teach women how to put on make-up.

“The most important thing we have learnt is the practical side of how to develop our business. We had never done a presentation in front of entrepreneurs before but we have more confidence now. We have been impressed by the technology here.”

Zainab Mohammed Al-Aamri, 23, from Nizwa, has developed her business, ‘Omani sign language recognition using Kinect sensor’ to assist people with hearing difficulties.

She said: “I know my customers and my target market. I have gained a lot from coming to Wolverhampton - I know more about how to market my business and how it can make more sales. I would recommend the course to people, it helps you to know your goals and targets and then can go back to Oman and start doing it.”

Business Development Director at the University’s Business Solutions Centre, Nigel Birch, organised the visit.

He said: “They have exceeded their own expectations and the vast majority of the group are able to return to Oman as global entrepreneurs with a creditable business plan and viable business case.

“It has been an honour to have them here and to watch their confidence grow. They didn’t know what to expect when they arrived, but are leaving as friends and partners of the city.”

ENDS

For more information please contact Vickie Warren in the Media Relations Office on
01902 322736.

Date Issued: Thursday, 11 September 2014