Oman launches offset project with University of Arizona

The Omani government has signed an agreement with the University of Arizona’s Eller Executive Education to deliver training to Omani nationals as part of an offset agreement with US armoured vehicle manufacturer Lenco Armored Vehicles.

Under the agreement, Eller Executive Education will work to create a centre at Oman’s Institute of Public Administration (IPA) to train Omani nationals to become leaders in the country’s civil service. Aims for the project include: training 25 Omani instructors to teach future courses at the IPA; training for 150 targeted employees within the country’s existing civil service; delivering short courses for 80 personnel in higher management positions and management courses for 120 trainee level staff; and enrolling 15 trainees at the University of Arizona to undertake the Advanced Government Leadership programme. The overall project will culminate in the transferring of intellectual property rights for the course to the IPA, which will allow for increased local course delivery.

An offset agreement was signed in relation to the Royal Omani Police’s acquisition of Lenco Bear Cat armoured vehicle. (Janes/Patrick Allen)

Lenco Armored Vehicles has supplied the Royal Oman Police with its Bear Cat armoured vehicles for use in a variety of roles, including special operations. Oman’s offset authority, formerly known as the Public Authority for Privatisation and Partnership (PAPP), was transferred into the country’s Ministry of Finance as a subsidiary body in August 2020. The organisation is responsible for agreeing and managing offsets for the Omani military and police.