Reinforcing its commitment to fostering a people-first culture that celebrates the milestones that matter most to its employees and their families, Sohar International hosted a special ceremony at W Muscat to honour employees’ children who achieved outstanding results in the General Diploma (Thanawiya) examinations.
A first-of-its-kind initiative in Oman’s banking sector, the event brought together the high-achieving students, their parents—who are employees of Sohar International—and their families to celebrate academic excellence and determination, while highlighting the pivotal role families play in supporting their children’s journey towards success. The students were selected based on their General Diploma examination results.
The ceremony was attended by Abdulwahid Mohammed Al Murshidi, Chief Executive Officer of Sohar International, and Mahira Saleh Al Raisi, Chief People Officer, who joined the students and their families in celebrating this achievement and recognising their dedication and academic excellence.
Commenting on the occasion, Abdulwahid Mohamed Al Murshidi, Chief Executive Officer of Sohar International, said: “Oman’s future will be shaped by the capabilities, aspirations and determination of its people. In this context, our celebration of these outstanding students goes beyond recognising academic excellence; it reflects our belief in the importance of investing in national talent that will help shape the Sultanate’s future and advance its progress. In line with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040 and its emphasis on developing empowered, future-ready national capabilities, we believe that nurturing ambition from an early stage is fundamental to building a competitive, knowledge-driven economy. This celebration also reflects Sohar International’s commitment to recognising outstanding students, their families and the wider community, acknowledging that achievement is the result of collective effort and shared support. We are immensely proud of what these young Omanis have accomplished and look forward with confidence to the meaningful contributions they will make in shaping Oman’s next chapter of growth and prosperity.”
Mahira Saleh Al Raisi, Chief People Officer at Sohar International added: “A truly people-first culture extends beyond the workplace to the moments that matter most to our colleagues and their families. Through this initiative, we celebrate the students’ success while also recognising the patience, encouragement and dedication demonstrated by their parents throughout their academic journey. We hope this recognition inspires them to begin the next chapter of their lives with greater confidence and a clear sense of purpose.”
The programme featured an inspiring address by Fatma Sultan Bahwan, Co-founder and Chief Operations Officer of Al Jabr, who reflected on her experience as a student, the challenges she faced and the resilience and determination that enabled her to overcome them. She encouraged the students to remain focused, embrace continuous learning and approach future challenges with confidence and determination.
The event also featured a panel discussion with several parents of the students, all of whom are Sohar International employees. They shared their experiences of supporting their children throughout their studies and preparations for the examinations. The discussion highlighted the importance of encouragement, balance and creating a positive home environment that supports learning. Several students also took to the stage to share their academic experiences, the challenges they had overcome and their aspirations for the future.
The event concluded with a recognition ceremony, during which the students received awards before joining their families and Sohar International’s leadership for commemorative photographs.
Through this pioneering initiative, Sohar International continues to strengthen its culture of belonging and wellbeing, celebrating the achievements of its employees and their families as an integral part of the Bank’s wider community. It also continues to create meaningful experiences that reflect its people-first approach and recognise the important milestones in their lives.
