Education Leadership: Podar Pearl School Doha welcomed Rakesh Singh Tomar as its new principal, effective Aug 20, bringing 28+ years of experience across India, Qatar and Oman and expertise across CBSE/ICSE/IB/IGCSE. Youth & Culture Tech: A Kuwaiti delegation at Oman’s fourth Gulf Youth Forum in Salalah urged better regulation and training for digital content, including a GCC platform for creators, a unified rules guide, and a shared database for reliable stats. University Research: Sohar University launched the Dr Suleiman al Houqani Research Grant, backed by his family, targeting PhD and post-PhD researchers with support for theses, conferences and peer-reviewed publishing. School Excellence: ABM International School marked a decade of top GED and Cambridge IGCSE results, celebrating top achievers and reinforcing character-building alongside academics. Oman VAT Basics: A legal explainer outlined key VAT exemptions under Oman’s VAT law, including financial services, licensed healthcare, education services, and specific public transport and property lease conditions. Arts & Film: The 2nd Dhofar International Film Festival in Salalah crowned Egypt’s “Qafla” as Best International Narrative Feature, with Oman’s “Wahem” and Kuwait’s “Without Doors” also taking major awards. Culture & Lifestyle Development: Muttrah Waterfront is set for an 18.5-hectare mixed-use lifestyle destination, blending residences, leisure, cultural attractions and a new waterfront promenade.