Namariq Al-Riyami is one of the Omani youths who is torn between his homeland and job opportunities abroad. In 2014, he traveled to Michigan, United States, with a scholarship from the Ministry of Education of Oman, and after obtaining a bachelor's degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering, he continued his studies with two master's degrees in the same field.
New Opportunities in the Automotive Industry
Namariq concluded that entering a job sector that did not exist not only in Oman but also in other Gulf countries was a suitable choice. He believes that this choice can expand his professional horizons and provide an opportunity to learn things that he could not acquire in his homeland.
With five years of experience in automotive parts manufacturing, Namariq stated that working in a production environment has familiarized him with international standards in program management, business strategy, and customer management. He says, "This experience gave me direct insight into how major automakers develop and launch automotive programs."
Returning to the Homeland and the Role of Omani Youth
A significant part of his work plan involves close coordination with engineering teams based in China, Korea, Germany, Japan, and the UK. He says, "This has helped me gain a deep understanding of how different cultures communicate, operate, and make decisions, and learn the problem-solving approach in multi-million dollar deals."
Namariq expressed hope about the possibility of returning to Oman after more than a decade away, noting that with the start of automotive manufacturing activities in the free and economic zones of Oman, this matter is now on his mind. Given his experience, he is well-prepared to contribute to the growing automotive industry in Oman.
Namariq is one of the Omani youths who have spread their wings beyond the horizons of their country, and many of his peers feel that returning to their homeland is essential to fill professional gaps and advance their country. In a country that is rapidly attracting international investments for developmental projects, the return of these youths is greatly needed.
