Yesterday, I had the opportunity to be part of a unique programme called ‘Startup Weekend Oman’. It is a platform to connect with other passionate and skilled individuals, and convert your idea into reality.

What is Startup Weekend?

Startup Weekend recruits a highly motivated group of developers, business managers, startup enthusiasts, marketing gurus, graphic artists and more to a 54 hour event that builds communities, companies and projects. It is an amazing opportunity to connect with other passionate and skilled individuals, and perhaps even find a co-founder or two to transform your idea into reality.

Startup Weekend is a non-profit organization based out of Seattle, WA USA. Startup Weekend is a small team of three along with community leaders around the world. Startup Weekend’s primary mission is to be the most valuable and influential organization in startup communities around the world.

Oman is the first nation in GCC and Arab world to organise this programme. I had an opportunity to talk to Donald Desantis, an internet junkie and a Startup Weekend facilitator who had come from US. The level of participation was heartwarming with more than 90 Omani folks registering for the 3-day event.

(Photos: Ali Nasser Mohammed Al Senaidi)

A report says:

The new Wireless Internet Service (WiFi) at Muscat International Airport was launched by Oman Airports Management Company (OAMC) and Omantel during a small ceremony held at the airport terminal in the presence of George Bellew, Chief Executive Officer of OAMC and Adil Ismail AL Raisi, Vice President of Corporate Customers at Omantel.

Travelers and visitors to Muscat International Airport will be able to use the high speed WiFi service for free and take advantage of surfing the Internet, check personal e-mail’s, communicate with others and find out the latest news, events and developments in the world. The free wireless internet can be accessed by any hardware which supports WiFi technology such as Laptop Computers and Mobile Phones.

Come weekdays, and it is almost hell to find a parking space in crowded Central Business District (CBD) in Ruwi. The Standard Chartered Bank Oman has hit upon a novel idea with a designated car park for the ‘employee of the month’. Brilliant thinking and so apt for CBD.