They are Asma bint Abi Baker School Umiyah bint Qais and Khalid Ibn al Waleed.

The launch was done under the auspices of Sheikh Saif al Thehli Liwa Municipal Council member Sheikh Saeed bin Ammar al Manie Sheikh of Oqdat al Mawanei village and Sheikh Saeed bin Mohammed al Thehli Sheikh of Al Zahiavillage and in the presence of Dr Fahad al Ajmi fishing farming expert community leaders school staff and Vale's management and employees.

Abdulmonem al Murshidi deputy CEO of Vale in Oman delivered a speech on this occasion followed by a technical presentation delivered by Dr Ajmi to explain the project mechanism. The guests of honour were called to officially inaugurate the Aquaponic System and invited the attendees to view the unit.

'We are glad to see what Vale in Oman is contributing to develop the society through setting up this educational unit which will contribute to raising the knowledge of our students' said Sheikh Thehli.

The project is designed to be an educational unit implemented in three local schools aiming at raising the awareness of students' knowledge regarding sustainability which is a reflection of Vale's mission - To transform natural resources into prosperity and sustainable development.

As well it showcases the local educational institutions commitment to empower their students' practical skills through facilitating the establishment of these educational units.

Murshidi said 'Our local community has inherited the value of utilising natural resources as they are well known to rely on fishing and farming activities. This project will facilitate to preserve our heritage while integrating it with the technology to sustain natural resources and educate the students to be more productive and environmentally aware.'

The Aquaponic System aims to reinforce the students' practical abilities through designing such integrated units to cultivate vegetables in water pools using organic fertilisers generated by fish ammonia.

Added to that the unit contributes to utilise the students' knowledge to sustain natural resources and get the benefit of applying such tutorials scientifically and socially which will result to expand the students' research methodology and be self-dependent to produce organic products for their families like fish vegetables and wise consumption of water.

Dr Ajmi said 'This unit is integrated system between plants and fish where it only needs a limited amount of water and a number of fish to cultivate different types of organic vegetables.'