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INTER-SCHOOL MEGA EVENT - STAI 2021 INAUGURATED AT INDIAN SCHOOL SALALAH

The inaugural ceremony of  inter-school mega event - STAI 2021- Science, Technology and Innovation - under the aegis of the Board of Directors of Indian Schools in Oman, was virtually live on You Tube and Zoom on Saturday, 25 September 2021 at 9.30 am here at Indian School Salalah. The event was aimed at showcasing the talents of craving young minds in the areas of Science, Technology and Innovation.

The virtual inaugural function was graced by the chief guest, His Excellency Shri Munu Mahawar, Ambassador of India to the Sultanate of Oman, Dr. Sivakumar Manickam, Chairman, Board of Directors, Indian Schools in Oman, Dr. Zahran Al Salti, Dean, College of Banking and Financial Studies, Muscat (guest of honour), C A Aswini Sawrikar, Finance director, BOD, Mr. Rajesh Rana, CEO & Director, Stellar Cyber Analytics (Keynote speaker), Dr. Syed Ahsan Jamil, President-SMC of the host school, Mr. Yasser Ahmed (co-convener, SMC) and Principal Mr. Deepak Patankar.

The formal proceedings started with the National Anthems of both India and Oman. It was more significant and meaningful when STAI 2021 celebrated both Oman Vision 2040 and India’s ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’. Adding the auspicious twilight of a spiritual glow to the programme, Indian School Salalah students presented an invocation dance in which they lighted the lamp that marked the beginning of the formal ceremony.

Dr. Syed Ahsan Jamil, President of School Management Committee extended the formal welcome to the chief guest, H. E. Shri Munu Mahawar, Ambassador of India to the Sultanate of Oman and all the other dignitaries on the virtual platform and he welcomed the guests, invitees, teachers, parents and students - present on the occasion virtually. Sharing information with almost an accurate data of population affected by the current pandemic, Dr. Syed Ahsan Jamil reiterated that Science, Technology and Innovation - STAI – comes to rescue human beings when their very existence is challenged and threatened.

Speaking on the occasion of future technological innovations and possibilities, Dr. Sivakumar Manickam, Chairman, Board of Directors, Indian Schools in Oman said, “Programme like STAI instills a scientific temperament in students. They are becoming aware of role of science and technology in transformation of lives in the world.”

H. E. Shri Munu Mahawar, Ambassador of India to the Sultanate of Oman delivered his inaugural address. H. E. Shri Munu Mahawar while addressing the audience said that science and technology have played the central role in resolving our global challenges. He further stated that technology and innovation have been at the core of India’s efforts to improve ease of living. He appreciated the administration and management of Indian School Salalah for successful completion of 40 years and extended his best wishes to all the participants of the mega event.

The guest of honour, Dr. Zahran Al Salti, Dean, CBFS appreciated the initiatives of BOD in organizing STAI for its schools across Oman and said that such events are great platforms for students to compete with and it helps schools to identify talents. 

School Principal Mr. Deepak Patankar, with the support of well-designed digital slideshows, familiarized the audience with the salient features of STAI-2021: an online mega show comprising 15 events in 3 categories where 18 Indian Schools across Oman participated. STAI 2021 also arranged Daily Challenge till 24 September in which 17497 students took part, 9186 students came up with correct answers and 100 students were winners. Speaking on the initiative of Board of Directors, Mr. Deepak Patankar said, “STAI aims to give platforms for students to share their innovative ideas.”

Recognizing the objectives and achievements of the event - STAI 2021, C A Aswini Sawrikar, Finance Director, BOD, during her felicitation speech said that science and technology of today is going to shape up our tomorrow. She quoted Edward Teller and said, “All earth-breaking technological innovations taking place around us all start from small innovative ideas.”

The keynote speaker, Mr. Rajesh Rana, CEO & Director, Stellar Cyber Analytics was introduced to address the audience. Creating awareness about the consequences and losses due to data theft and pilferage, he shared his views on cyber security, its career values and what skills one needs to succeed in it.

The well attended inaugural session concluded with vote of thanks proposed by Mr. Yasser Mohammed, co-convenor, School Management Committee.

As the inaugural ceremony marked the commencement of STAI 2021, the venue then witnessed a series of inter-school events. To begin with the most exhilarating live event inter-school science debate was conducted. It was a fantabulous opportunity that gave students a creative room for verbal battle and expression where students poured out their ideas on the topic “Artificial intelligence will replace humans in the job market in future’.

 It was followed by a real-time online fun-filled science spell bee competition for students of grades 6, 7 and 8.

The other events were indeed an opening for students to bring out their ideas with scientific approach and solutions in the form of 3D model design, Mobile app and Computer game development that took place on the inaugural day of STAI 2021.

The two-day mega event STAI-2021 will be concluded with more events followed by valedictory function on Sunday, 26 September 2021.