Aachen students have long recognized Oman's potential
Oman involves more than just trading. The country is geopolitically an important mediator. economically, Germany can observe quite a few things. RWTH Aachen is showing how it's done.
Oman is a desert state that relies on knowledge. Many students of RWTH Aachen are already familiar with the country and its innovative power. For years, there have been close relationships between their university and the German University of Technology (GUtech) in the Omani capital Muscat.
Robert Schmitt is a professor at RWTH Aachen and one of the founders of GUtech. The engineer has been scientifically connected to Muscat for a long time. For him, Oman is "rooted in clear value systems, while at the same time embracing the world in terms of openness, welcoming culture, and the development of new technologies that the country is striving for," according to Schmitt in the ntv podcast "Wirtschaft Welt & Weit".
Houses from the 3D Printer
The implementation of new ideas is quick and practical. In the podcast, Schmitt talks about houses from the 3D printer, which have been adapted to the special conditions of the desert state. This has significantly reduced construction time. For Schmitt, it's clear that we can observe quite a few things in Oman: "We underestimate the dynamics of this development," says Schmitt in the new podcast episode.
However, not only economically, but above all geostrategically, Oman is a reliable partner for him. After all, the country has been known for a long time as a prudent mediator, for example, in the reconciliation between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Without losing many words about it, Oman uses its good connections on all sides. Oman expert Sousann El-Faksch has lived in the country since 2000: The Sultanate of Oman pursues the strategy of cultivating friendly relationships with everyone and making no enemies. This has cultural backgrounds for her.
In the new podcast episode, host Andrea Sellmann talks to Sousann El-Faksch and engineer Robert Schmitt about the Sultanate of Oman, which is often overlooked in the shadow of the glamour worlds of other Gulf states. Both guests have been connected to the country for a long time. University professor Robert Schmitt has built the cooperation between Aachen and Muscat. Since 2008, he has been a representative for cooperation with the Arab Gulf States in the Rectorate and a member of the Board of Governance of GUtech. Sousann El-Faksch works for the Chamber of Commerce and is the representative and office manager of the AHK office in Muscat.
Oman's economy, driven by its strategic location, has attracted the interest of Germany, particularly in the field of knowledge exchange. For instance, RWTH Aachen has a long-standing relationship with the German University of Technology (GUtech) in Muscat, Oman's capital.
Furthermore, the Gulf States, including Oman, have shown interest in innovative technologies, such as the use of 3D printing in construction, which can be particularly beneficial in desert conditions like Oman's. Professor Robert Schmitt from RWTH Aachen, a founder of GUtech, has been instrumental in this field, discussing the potential of 3D-printed houses in Oman.
