The Oman conference on astronomy and space kicked off on Sunday under the title "predecessors expertise, youth creativity and traineeship for labor market". The conference is annually held by the Oman Astronomical Society with the participation of 300 scientists, researchers, amateur astronomers, students of astronomical sciences, and representatives of different organizations in and out of the Sultanate, said Chairman of the society Dr Saleh Bin Saeed Al-Sheethani. The conference is a great opportunity to exchange experiences, present achievements in the field, and work on executing astronomical and space related projects with benefits to the country, he noted. Oman puts huge efforts in developing the astronomical field by creating cooperation between different ministries, the society, along with Arab and international astronomical organizations. said the chairman. The conference will also include seminars held by specialists in the field, presentations of historical studies, various astronomical projects, workshops regarding techniques of teaching astronomy, and astronomical telescopes exhibition, said Al-Sheethani. The chairman noted that the event aims to define the role of space technology and applications in the estimation of environmental and climatic disasters, and also to support investment on the scientific tourism in Oman.