We are pleased to announce that the Royal Academy of Management (RAM) in the Sultanate of Oman, has successfully completed EFMD’s LIFT Learning Impact Certification. Warm congratulations!

The EFMD LIFT certification was developed with input from more than 30 organisations, including CLIP-accredited learning functions and EQUIS-accredited business schools. Officially launched in February 2024, LIFT certifies learning functions through an assessment of how learning impact is designed, delivered, and evidenced. The review considers the respective contributions of the learning team, organisational stakeholders, and learners in creating impact, the breadth of the impact framework across learners, the organisation, and wider society, the extent to which the framework is applied in practice, and how learning impact is reported, recognised, and used to inform improvement internally and externally.

The Royal Academy of Management

The Royal Academy of Management (RAM) is a national government institution in the Sultanate of Oman dedicated to strengthening leadership capability across sectors. Established four years ago by a Royal Decree, RAM’s work supports the objectives of Oman Vision 2040, the country’s long-term strategy for socio-economic development and economic diversification. RAM aims to serve as a national and regional centre of excellence in executive leadership, combining insight, innovation, and modern management practice aligned with international standards. Through a portfolio of executive programmes, leadership initiatives, studies and dialogues, designed for both the public and private sectors, RAM contributes to building the capabilities required for resilient, future-oriented institutions.

Its learning model is delivered through a team driven by an impact mindset, as well as partnerships with a wide network of leading local and international providers. RAM uses a highly practical and applied approach, blending academic rigour with real‑world application  to support interactive learning. It leverages modern technology, offering participants access to knowledge resources and international digital libraries. Learners also benefit from joining an active professional network that connects leaders and emerging talent locally and globally.

The EFMD LIFT Certification recognised RAM as a mission-led institution where learning impact is embedded across the organisation. The peer review team noted the strong alignment between RAM’s learning approach and Oman Vision 2040, and highlighted RAM’s high level of learner and alumni engagement, where participants contribute to shaping value and outcomes. They also emphasised RAM’s ability to demonstrate impact across multiple levels, from individual development to organisational improvement, and from societal contribution to long-term national capability building. This is reinforced by structured participant selection and talent identification processes that support sustained leadership development.

Steven Smith, Senior Advisor, Corporate Services and LIFT Lead, EFMD Global, commented, “Congratulations to the Royal Academy of Management on achieving LIFT certification. The peer review team recognised RAM as an institution with clarity of purpose and a well-established approach to evidencing learning impact. We also noted the importance RAM places on leadership development as a long-term national priority, and the way it connects executive learning to wider capability building and institutional strengthening. The team valued the strength of RAM’s learning community and its ability to sustain engagement beyond individual programmes, supporting outcomes that endure over time. This certification acknowledges RAM’s commitment to learning impact and provides an external reference point as the Academy continues to develop its work in support of leadership capability in Oman.”

Martin Moehle, Director of Corporate Services, EFMD, presents the LIFT certification at the award ceremony on 8 January 2026 in Oman.

Martin Moehle handing over the LIFT certificate to H.E. Dr Ali and Khalid Al Shaqs

Dr Ali bin Qassim Al Lawati, President of the Royal Academy of Management, said,  “It is wonderful to be recognised by one of the world’s foremost accreditation bodies, an excellent achievement for the Royal Academy of Management in its first four years. This certification is an independent validation of leadership impact, how learning translates into institutional performance, economic readiness, and societal value. It reflects our team’s dedication to enabling leaders who are equipped to navigate complexity, anticipate global transformations, and contribute meaningfully to Oman’s development.”

He added, “Since its establishment four years ago, RAM has aimed to serve as a national and regional hub for leadership excellence, strengthening Oman’s leadership ecosystem in line with Oman Vision 2040. The certification process itself provided valuable insight, enabling us to further assess our impact, refine our approach, and strengthen our strategic direction.”

Khalid Al Shaqsi, Director of the Department of Academic Affairs and International Cooperation and head of the LIFT Oversight Team, said, “It is an honour to receive the LIFT Certification as the first institution in the Gulf Cooperation Council region, and even the broader Arab world, and to be recognised as standing out for our impact on society at large. As part of the LIFT certification process, several of our alumni shared their success stories of how they have created multilevel impact after completing one of our programmes, which was both inspiring and insightful.”

He added, “Achieving this certification was a true team effort, reflecting the dedication and collaboration of everyone at RAM. A special thanks goes also to those working behind the scenes to provide EFMD Global with all the data required, and to the LIFT peer review team for their valuable insights and for confirming that RAM and our alumni have an impact mindset in place. We look forward to working with Steven and his team to further enhance our impact.”

About LIFT

EFMD’s LIFT (Learning Impact for Today and Tomorrow) Certification allows a learning function to evaluate and benchmark its maturity in how it delivers impact to its stakeholders against industry standards. It allows learning functions to engage stakeholders, analyse impact, and align practices with industry best standards, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

LIFT provides an externally recognised three-year certification, enabling organisations to receive validation, insights for improvement, and a holistic perspective on their impact approach. To learn more about LIFT, visit our website or contact Steven Smith or Shanshan Ge.

Gain firsthand insights into the LIFT journey, discovering how certified learning functions embed impactful learning into their organisational framework and the tangible benefits that follow through a series of interviews offering two key perspectives: the peer reviewers who assess and endorse the certification and the companies that have successfully achieved it.