The Czech Institute of Informatics, Robotics and Cybernetics of the Czech Technical University in Prague (CIIRC CTU) was visited by a delegation from the National Defence College (NDC) of the Sultanate of Oman. The visit focused on presenting the research and technological capabilities of CIIRC CTU and identifying areas for long-term cooperation between Czech and Omani institutions. In addition to defence and security, opportunities are also emerging in a range of civilian areas where advanced technologies, artificial intelligence, robotics, autonomous systems and digitalisation can support Oman’s development.
The delegation was led by Rear Admiral Ali Abdullah Mohammed Al-Shidi, Commander of the National Defence College. The visit to CIIRC CTU was part of a broader programme aimed at familiarising the Omani side with Czech institutions, their professional capabilities and opportunities for long-term cooperation.
“For our institute, it is important that our ties with Oman already have a concrete foundation. For example, we cooperate with Prof. Abdulnasir Yahya Hossen of Sultan Qaboos University, and we would like to build on these contacts and further develop them,” emphasises Prof. Vladimír Mařík, Scientific Director of CIIRC CTU. “At the same time, the visit of the National Defence College delegation allows us to present a broader range of our research and technological capabilities to partners from a country that is currently making significant investments in the development of infrastructure, technologies and new urban and industrial projects.”
The National Defence College (NDC) is part of the Academy for Strategic and Defence Studies in the Sultanate of Oman. NDC prepares military and civilian leaders for the highest strategic positions and focuses on issues related to defence, security and strategic management. It is precisely this broader strategic context that creates room for dialogue with research institutions whose technologies can find applications not only in the security sector but also in the civilian economy.
Oman as a Space for Technological and Investment Cooperation
The potential for cooperation is not limited solely to defence and security. The aim of the visit was therefore not to focus exclusively on opportunities for cooperation with the Omani defence and security sector. Attention was also paid to areas in which Oman is preparing major development projects. As part of its long-term Oman Vision 2040 strategy, Oman is implementing extensive projects in transport, infrastructure, energy, urban planning and the development of new cities. The public sector plays a significant role in their preparation and implementation, providing strategic oversight of projects through state institutions, preparing their infrastructure and creating conditions for cooperation with domestic and foreign investors and technology partners.
One example is Sultan Haitham City, one of the most ambitious urban development projects in Oman, conceived as a modern smart city. The project includes smart infrastructure, sustainable energy and modern mobility. Another major project is Al Khuwair Downtown, a planned transformation of a large area in the centre of Muscat, whose masterplan is being developed with the participation of Zaha Hadid Architects. Both projects represent complex and technologically advanced development plans that correspond to Oman’s long-term vision of modernisation and sustainable development.
The scale and complexity of these projects are precisely evidence of the opportunities Oman offers for the application of advanced technologies and research capabilities – from artificial intelligence, robotics and autonomous systems through smart infrastructure and digital twins to technologies for energy, transport and sustainable urban development. For CIIRC CTU and the Czech Republic, cooperation with Oman could thus connect research with the specific needs of the public sector, industry and investors.
CIIRC CTU Presented Its Research Capabilities and Specific Opportunities for Cooperation
During the visit, the delegation was introduced to selected research activities and technological capabilities of CIIRC CTU. The programme included, for example, research in the fields of smart cities and intelligent transport, robotic perception, intelligent and mobile robotics, and embedded systems. It also included a tour of the RICAIP Testbed Prague, an experimental environment for testing and validating advanced technological solutions for industry. The delegation was thus introduced both to specific research topics and to the environment in which CIIRC CTU connects research with practical development and technology testing.
The CIIRC CTU presentation also included specific opportunities for future cooperation with the National Defence College. These include educational and training programmes, research stays and postdoctoral positions, joint research projects, and the transfer of know-how and technologies with dual-use potential. Technologies for the navigation of autonomous ground vehicles (AGVs) and drones, process and trajectory planning and control, the use of multimodal foundation models and systems integration were discussed as examples.
It is precisely the interconnection of these areas that could provide a basis for cooperation extending beyond academic research itself and enabling the joint development of technologies applicable in both defence and civilian environments. A promising area, for example, is the use of artificial intelligence, autonomous systems and robotics in intelligent transport, smart cities and other complex infrastructure systems.
The Visit as the Beginning of Broader Cooperation
The delegation came to the Czech Republic at the invitation of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic. On the Czech side, the programme was organised by representatives of the Honorary Consulate of the Sultanate of Oman in the Czech Republic and the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces. Masaryk University in Brno was also involved in its preparation.
Later this week, on Thursday, 20 August, the Czech-Omani Security Forum will take place at the premises of the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Nearly 90 representatives of Czech companies have already expressed interest in meeting with representatives of the National Defence College and discussing opportunities for cooperation. These meetings may lead to broader links between Czech research and technology institutions and Omani partners.
The current programme is also expected to be followed by a visit from a broader Omani government and investment delegation, which is to be led by His Highness Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs and Crown Prince of the Sultanate of Oman. For CIIRC CTU, this opens up an opportunity for further dialogue on cooperation that may extend beyond defence and security to include research, innovation, technological development and major civilian projects.
