MUSCAT, 21 February 2011 – BankMuscat and Overseas Business Machines (OBM) on Monday (21 February 2011) announced a partnership programme as part of the National PC Initiative launched by the Information Technology Authority (ITA) in line with the directive of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said.

 

The joint initiative is primarily aimed at facilitating digital media as a tool to assist citizens in acquiring e-literacy and thereby improving their daily life by gaining easier access to internet and electronic services offered by the government as part of the ambitious e-Governance programme.

 

To start with, laptops will be provided to first year students enrolled for higher education and teachers. BankMuscat in association with OBM will facilitate the sale and financing of laptops to eligible students and teachers at select 25 branches of the Bank.

 

Eligible students and teachers can avail Lenovo laptops from select BankMuscat branches across the Sultanate. The government has subsidised the laptop initiative to the extent of RO 150 and beneficiaries need to pay only the balance amount to buy their preferred models. They can either pay cash, use any credit card to pay for the purchase or opt for an instalment scheme by applying for a BankMuscat credit card.

Overseas Business Machines (OBM) is an integrated IT solutions company having tie-up with IBM and Lenovo. The company focuses on education and technology education, providing solutions that play a major role in e-learning.

Technical specifications for laptops to be distributed to students were selected by ITA experts, based on international criteria on what students would need for e-learning. Lenovo laptops meet the stringent criteria defined by ITA and they are protected with industry-leading security features such as Active Protection System and ThinkVantage Rescue and Recovery, which prevent data loss.

Sulaiman Al Harthy, Group DGM – Consumer Banking, said: “Over the years, BankMuscat has supported all national initiatives and we are pleased to be an integral part of the National PC Initiative which will significantly enhance e-literacy and support the e-Governance programme launched by the government. The Bank remains committed to working closely with government agencies in improving the digital landscape of Oman.” 

BankMuscat is the first card-acquiring bank to support ITA for electronic payment for goods and services offered by the government. The card payment facility at the Royal Oman Police (ROP) directorates, Muscat Municipality and various ministries has evoked positive feedback from the public.

Al Harthy said: “This partnership initiative will be beneficial to society as the programme helps students to stay connected with various government programmes. Over the years, the Bank has sponsored varied programmes motivating students to become leaders, decision makers and opinion formers. As a dedicated corporate citizen, the Bank is committed to supporting national initiatives, especially projects targeting the educational sector.”

Mohamad Al-Bolbol, General Manager, Overseas Business Machines, said: “OBM is pleased to announce the tie-up with BankMuscat to provide laptops to eligible Omani students and teachers.  This programme is in line with the directive of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said that each family covered by Social Insurance with one or more first year students registered for higher education should be provided with a laptop. The PC initiative is aimed at helping students to benefit from e-education and facilitating the setting up of Oman Digital Society.”

Al-Bolbol said: “OBM focuses on e-education and technology through various methods and has agreements with some educational establishments to provide training to graduates at is Technical Centre. OBM provides different solutions that play a major role in the field of e-education.”

Samir Karam, Regional Business Manager, Lenovo Middle East, Egypt and Pakistan, said: “Lenovo is the number one PC company in the world in the relationship notebook segment – large enterprise, public sector and education. Lenovo acquired IBM PC division in 2005. Lenovo’s success in the emerging markets is a result of market insight to strategically build up presence and competitiveness.”