As Oman advances economic diversification, accelerates digitalisation and progresses its energy transition, innovation, STEM education and future-ready skills have become national priorities under Oman Vision 2040. Together, these efforts reflect a shared ambition to equip the next generation with the knowledge, confidence and capabilities needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
With around 70% of the population under the age of 35, investing in young people is not simply an educational priority; it is a national one. Across government, education and industry, there is a clear commitment to ensuring young Omanis have both the knowledge and the mindset needed to contribute meaningfully to the country's future.
Shell NXplorers Oman provides a platform for developing future thinkers, innovators and changemakers, creating lasting impact for learners, educators and communities alike.
Oman’s education system provides learners with strong academic foundations, preparing them across a wide range of subjects and disciplines. As technology, sustainability and global challenges continue to evolve, there is also an increasing opportunity to complement these foundations with practical experiences that help learners apply their knowledge in new ways.
Shell NXplorers extends learning through a future-focused lens, giving learners structured tools to explore complexity, develop ideas and tackle real-world challenges. The goal is not simply to prepare young people for change, but to empower them to lead it.
Shell NXplorers Oman has been developed to align closely with national priorities, working closely with the Ministry of Education and delivery partners, the programme contributes directly to ambitions around innovation, future skills and youth development.
Shell contributes to the programme through the technical expertise, industry insight and active engagement of its employees. Technical volunteers from Shell actively engage with learner projects, evaluating ideas and providing industry insights that help bring real-world perspectives into the learning experience.
Oman is particularly distinctive within the global Shell NXplorers network, delivering the complete Shell NXplorers journey across Junior, Senior and Pro pathways. Rather than a single experience, participants can continue developing their skills throughout all stages of their lives.
Learners develop critical thinking, systems thinking and creative problem-solving skills alongside equally important capabilities such as teamwork, project management, communication and presentation skills. Educators see learners become more confident, more curious and more willing to challenge assumptions, while they themselves benefit through professional development opportunities, creating a continuous culture of learning.
Learners getting involved in the Shell NXplorers programme
Across Oman, learners are connecting directly with their communities, identifying local challenges and developing solutions that address genuine needs. Projects are shaped through collaboration with community members, innovation centres, universities and research institutions, ensuring ideas are grounded in practical reality.
Solutions are tested, refined and supported through partnerships with technical experts, laboratories and government entities. The result is a learning experience where participants can see the tangible outcomes of their work:
As an Arabic proverb reminds us, "Knowledge in youth is like engraving on stone." The skills and mindsets developed through Shell NXplorers are designed to stay with learners throughout their personal and professional lives.
Some of the programme's most inspiring stories come from learners who have gone beyond expectations, proactively engaging research institutions, government organisations and industry partners to strengthen their projects. This learner-led momentum has helped build awareness of Shell NXplorers and reinforced its reputation as a catalyst for innovation and positive change. Some standout examples include:
AlgaPlant Tech
After identifying the harmful effects of chemical fertilisers on soil health and the environment, the AlgaPlant Tech team developed a sustainable blue-green algae fertiliser using locally sourced materials. Through extensive research, field trials and collaboration with local farmers, they created an eco-friendly solution that improved crop growth while reducing environmental impact. The project has already generated interest from agricultural stakeholders and demonstrates how young people can combine scientific thinking with community insight.
SUSTAIN PACK
The SUSTAIN PACK team tackled both food waste and plastic pollution through the development of smart biodegradable packaging. Using natural pigments that respond to changes in food freshness, they created a packaging solution capable of extending shelf life while reducing environmental impact. Their project demonstrated how systems thinking can connect food security, sustainability and public health within a single innovative solution.
Behind successful projects are dedicated educators like Fakhriya Saif Khalfan Al-Shaibaniyah, who has supported many learner projects. Through personalised coaching, structured guidance and a commitment to empowering learners, she has helped cultivate a generation of young innovators capable of tackling complex sustainability challenges with confidence and creativity.
Shell NXplorers learners present their ideas built through NXthinking
Over the past eight years, Shell NXplorers Oman has evolved into an ecosystem that connects learners, educators, alumni, mentors, universities, government stakeholders and communities through a shared approach to innovation and problem-solving.
The Junior, Senior and Pro pathways create continuity between different stages of n development. New schools and educators join each year, expanding reach and ensuring the programme continues to grow throughout Oman. Mentorship has also expanded, with contractors and industry professionals contributing their expertise to support participants. An alumni club helps former learners stay connected, transforming graduates into future mentors, collaborators and ambassadors for the programme. Educators are given opportunities to share experiences, showcase achievements and learn from one another.
Together, these elements create an ecosystem where knowledge, experience and inspiration continue long after learners graduate.
What stands out about Shell NXplorers Oman is how the programme has become increasingly embedded within local communities over time, building strong relationships and creating lasting connections that continue to grow year after year.
Being part of a global programme creates opportunities for learners to become part of an international network connected by a common language of systems thinking, creativity and innovation. This global community encourages collaboration, inspires new ideas and reinforces the belief that local action can contribute to wider change.
As new interests emerge, including growing learner curiosity about artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies, the programme continues to evolve alongside the aspirations of the young people it serves. At its heart, the story of Shell NXplorers in Oman is a story about investing in minds and the power of change. change in how young people see themselves, change in how communities approach challenges, and change in how a country can prepare the next generation to help shape its future.
