AMRC copy planned for Middle East

From left: Khalid Al Qatiti, head of the centre for continuing education at Sohar University; John Baragwanath, AMRC Executive Director; Dr Hamdan Al-Fazari, pro vice chancellor for resources at Sohar University; Ali Al Moqbali, head of finance at Sohar University; Prof Barry Winn, vice chancellor at Sohar University; and Emma Hutton, AMRC major projects development manager, at the AMRC’s Factory of the Future

Oman, on the Arabian Peninsula, will establish its own version as it looks to diversify its economy and attract foreign investment.

The AMRC’s successful Rotherham template has previously been used in several countries, including India, Germany, Australia, Italy and the Netherlands.

Senior figures from Sohar, Oman’s first private university, have visited their counterparts in the UK to develop the cluster idea for high-tech firms.

AMRC executive director, John Baragwanath, said: “It has been a privilege to work with Oman in this remarkable venture.”

He paid tribute to the Omani government and the team at Sohar University for having the vision and drive to create a world-class centre focused on high-value added manufacturing.

And he added: “As the originators of the AMRC model, we have been able to show them how world-class research can help manufacturers of any size add value to their business by introducing advanced techniques, technologies and processes.

“What we are doing chimes perfectly with their vision of helping Oman become ‘a knowledge nation’.”