In a step that reflects ahlibank’s steadfast commitment to its social responsibility towards inclusive education and support for individuals with visual impairments, the bank has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Omar Bin Al-Khattab Institute for the Blind, the only educational institution in the Sultanate of Oman dedicated to teaching visually impaired students. The partnership comes in alignment with White Cane Day, observed internationally on 15 October, dedicated to celebrating the achievements of visually impaired individuals and their contributions to society.
The initiative included equipping the institute with interactive smart boards covering all classrooms for grades ten to twelve, aimed at empowering visually impaired students and teachers to utilize the latest interactive digital learning tools. This support stems from the bank’s belief in the importance of assistive technology as a key enabler of inclusive education and equal academic opportunities.
Commenting on the initiative, Jumana Aflah Al Hashmi, Assistant General Manager, Head of Marketing & Corporate Communications at ahlibank, stated: “At ahlibank, we take pride in leveraging our technological capabilities to serve both people and the community; particularly by empowering individuals with visual impairments. This initiative reflects our unwavering commitment to advancing equal learning opportunities and our vision of using digital innovation to break barriers and open new pathways toward inclusive education. It stands as a testament to the meaningful integration of social responsibility and technology that defines our approach across all initiatives.”
Previous experiences at the institute have shown positive outcomes from the use of smart boards, as they have contributed to enhancing classroom interaction, facilitating the delivery of information, optimizing time, and boosting the independence of teachers with disabilities in preparing and delivering lessons. The initiative not only seeks to enhance the quality of education for the institute’s students, but also aims to strengthen their social engagement skills, ensuring they are equipped with the tools to build a brighter, more promising future.
It is worth noting that this initiative exemplifies ahlibank’s social responsibility strategy, which prioritizes advancing education, empowering individuals with disabilities, and harnessing technology to serve the community. The initiative also aims to create a lasting impact that benefits generations of students and reinforces the bank’s position as a vital partner in inclusive social development.