Issue 7 - January 2017

IPMnewswww.ipm.om

Collaboration. Success. Prosperity

2016A YEAR OF

COLLABORATION& PARTNERSHIP

FROM THEDIRECTOR’S DESK

01

2016 has been a great year for Innovation Park Muscat (IPM). From events inviting new partners and clients, to workshops and conferences, we have seized opportunities for exciting new developments. We have signed an agreement with Enhanced Oil Recovery Company to establish a R&D Centre in the field of heavy oil recovery. Further, we have also inked a pact with Instog, a capability building institute for Omani professionals in the Oil and Gas sector. In addition, we also signed a partnership agreement with PDO to support Omani entrepreneurs solve key production and technical challenges. Moreover, we also fully leveraged our social media channels to spread awareness about IPM’s potential and its investment opportunities.

Looking forward to 2017, we plan to launch incubation spaces inside IPM for entrepreneurs to create the right environment for innovation. We plan to invite SMEs and startups in the fields of energy, health, food & biotechnology and water & environment to make use of our incubation spaces. Also due for launch early next year is the ambitious first phase of IPM. Furthermore, we will strive to maintain our momentum by entering into new agreements and collaborating with organisations committed to furthering innovation in the Sultanate.

Dr. Abdulbaqi Al KhabouriDirector of Science Parks

Oman Energy R&D summit reaffirmsIPM’s vital role in linking the academic sector with R&DThe following are some of the recommendations of the Oman Energy Industry Academia - R&D Summit:

1. IPM can bring industry and academia together by establishing public-private partnerships for R&D

2. IPM can help in the establishment of research clusters & incubators with universities across the country. Moreover, it can also facilitate their funding by putting them in touch with relevant companies in the industry.

A LOOK BACK AT 2016

02

HE Dr. Hilal Al Hinai and Mr. Raoul Restucci, Managing Director of PDO signing the MOU.

IPM signs MOU with PDO, December 15, 2016.

IPM participates in Oman Energy Industry – Academia R&D Summit October 18, 2016

03

IPM holds press conference on the agreement between IPM and EOR Company for the establishment of R&D Center, October 5, 2016.

04

IPM hosts ‘Invitation to Innovation’ to encourage collaboration among all stakeholders and attract investors.

IPM delegates attend the 33rd World conference of International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP) Russia, September 19 to 23, 2016.

Dr. Abdulbaqi Ali Al Khabouri, conducting a presentation on the investment and collaboration opportunities.

Representatives from government and private sector at the ‘Invitation to Innovation’ investment meeting.

05

IPM welcomes Iranian investors.

Dr. Abdulbaqi Ali Al Khabouri participating in an interview. Iranian delegates on a tour of the IPM.

06

Guest of Honors at Al Roya Economic Forum, visit the IPM exhibit.

The participants at Al Roya economic forum.

Senior management of The Research Councilconducting a site visit.

German Delegation visits IPM.

Visitors at the IPM exhibit,Oman Economic Forum.

TOP NEWS OF 2016

Trends to watch in 2017

07

Countries around the world are making more investments in Solar energy and India takes the No. 1 spot for its sheer volume of activity in the solar sector in 2016. The country is mobilizing to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s plans to boost solar capacity in the country to 100 GW by 2022.

Read more on http://bit.ly/2hyHLhU

Rise of Solar Energy

Halal Economy grows stronger

From the food industry to the fashion world, the halal market is a fast growing sector in Middle East, Asia, Europe and Americas. With a growing Muslim population around the world, the halal economy is poised to become a powerful force in international trade.

Read more on http://bit.ly/2iFte5D

Energy

Food & Biotech

Growing interest in probiotics

Innovation in carbon capture to reduce greenhouse effect.

Increasing awareness on the importance of good bacteria that lives on and within the human body is challenging conventional wisdom on the use of antibacterial products. There is an increased consumer interest in probiotics and other products which aim to improve health from within the body, and greater attention is being paid to the good bacteria on the skin.

Read more on http://bit.ly/2ifGtc0

Scientists in Iceland have found a way to permanently capture carbon emissions and prevent it from reaching the atmosphere. They pumped carbondioxide into volcanic rocks which sped up a natural process that turns basalt into carbonate minerals, and as result the captured carbon was turned into limestone. This process normally takes hundreds of thousands of years, but the scientists in Iceland were able to do it in only two years.

Read more on http://bit.ly/2ix2Ta3

Health

Water & Environment

IPM signs Agreement forR&D Centre in HeavyOil Extraction

At the 3rd Annual Research Forum held at Grand Millennium Muscat on October 6, 2016, Innovation Park Muscat (IPM) of the Research Council inked an agreement to establish a research and development Centre in the field of heavy oil recovery. The agreement aims at establishing the first research and development centre in the field of Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) outside USA. The proposed centre which will be set up at the scientific park at IPM will be spread across 3000 square metres and will be equipped with state-of-the-art technology to meet the needs of oil and gas sector. It will also help the sector find solutions for the challenges it faces in the region. These challenges include recovery of heavy oil and reducing the water consumption associated with oil production. Researchers will try to find alternative ideas to ensure optimum utilisation of the resources and contribute to the growth of the national economy.

IPM participates inOman Energy Industry– Academia R&DSummit

Oxy Oman and Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), in alignment with SQU and The Research Council, spearheaded the country’s efforts to create a research and development (R&D) ecosystem by aligning the goals of local Industry and Academia at the 2016 Oman Energy Industry-Academia R&D Summit in Muscat held on October 18, 2016. The summit explored timely and tangible solutions to the top R&D recommendation from the Oman Energy Master Plan 2040 (Draft) Report, which was published in late-2015. The top recommendation was to align the Academia and Industry in the delivery of an Enhanced R&D Ecosystem in Oman. Innovation Park Muscat took part in the forum to interact with top researchers and facilitate exchange between the Industry and academia. Other recommendations included setting up of public-private partnerships for R&D at IPM; Establishment of research clusters & incubators in association with IPM and universities across the country.

08

IPM signs MOU with PDO to support SMEs

Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) signed a partnership agreement with Innovation Park Muscat on December 15, 2016 to support Omani entrepreneurs and help them solve key production & technical challenges. Under the terms of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), PDO and IPM will work together on a number of important economic, energy and environmental matters to support the Sultanate’s development.

Both IPM and PDO will support the development of competitiveness in the SMEs belonging to Energy sector. Further local companies who work with PDO will be encouraged to start their own research and development with IPM. The agreement will encourage SMEs to carry out their basic technological research, test-proof their conceptual thoughts, innovation ideas and conduct the early-stage technology development in IPM prior to the mass production of their goods. PDO will also share with IPM the major challenges it faces in the oil and gas industry as a means of spurring innovation and research.

09Wishing you a prosperous New Year!

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2017CALENDAR

Collaboration. Success. Prosperity