Muscat, April 20, 2025 – Oman Shell, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the Royal Oman Police, celebrated the closing of the 2024–25 VIA Road Safety Program at a special ceremony held at Kempinski Muscat. The event marked another milestone in Shell’s long-standing commitment to road safety and youth empowerment in the Sultanate.
This year’s program reached a remarkable 33 schools across the Sultanate, delivering vital road safety education to over 1,195 students and training 56 teachers to become road safety ambassadors in their communities. With a reported 95% improvement in road safety skills and knowledge among participants, the VIA program continues to make a meaningful impact in fostering a culture of safer road use among the youth. In addition, 3 Shell volunteers joined efforts on-ground to support and strengthen the program’s delivery.
A highlight of this year’s edition was the introduction of a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) competition, which brought technology and road safety together in an exciting way. 23 schools participated, with 6 winning schools recognised for their innovative ideas during the ceremony.
His Excellency Abdullah Ambusaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education, reflected on the program’s significance, stating: “Road safety is not just a subject we teach, it’s a life skill we must instill in our students from a young age. The VIA program continues to do just that by equipping our teachers and students with the knowledge and mindset needed to become responsible road users. We value our continued partnership with Oman Shell and the Royal Oman Police in bringing such impactful initiatives to our schools.”
Speaking on behalf of the Royal Oman Police, Lt. Colonel Khamis Al Batashi remarked: “Our collaboration with Oman Shell and the Ministry of Education reflects a shared goal: building a generation that respects and prioritizes safety on the road. The VIA program supports this goal through its practical approach and its focus on both awareness and behavioral change. We’re especially proud of how students have taken ownership of road safety issues through the AI challenge, offering ideas that reflect both creativity and responsibility.”
Representing Oman Shell, Malak Al Shaibani, General Manager – Corporate Relations and In-Country Value, commented: “For us at Shell, road safety is more than a campaign, it’s a long-term commitment. We’re proud to see VIA grow year after year, reaching more schools, more students, and adapting in ways that reflect the aspirations of Oman’s youth. What sets this year apart is the introduction of the AI competition, which brought a new dimension to the program, showing us how students can combine innovation with social impact. We’re proud to see such strong results and grateful for the continued partnership with the MoE and ROP in building a safer Oman for generations to come.”
As the curtains close on this year’s edition, the impact of the program will continue to be felt across classrooms, school zones, and communities, where every safer decision on the road begins with awareness, education, and empowerment.