Technology pioneers were celebrated at the recently concluded Oman Innovation Festival, organized by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation (MoHERI). The festival, which took place at the Muscat Innovation Complex, served as a platform for creative minds to showcase their innovative solutions.
Over the six-day event, various competitions were held, including an energy hackathon, government innovation, and the Together We Innovate competition. The winners of these competitions were announced at the festival’s closing ceremony.
One of the highlights was the Energy Hackathon, where Oman’s Stellar team emerged victorious. They presented a groundbreaking self-cleaning solar panel system that utilizes smart technology to combat dust buildup and increase energy efficiency. The second and third place went to the EcoSat team from the UAE, which developed an AI-based air pollution measurement solution using satellite imagery, and the Carbo-EcoGen System team from Oman and Qatar, which devised a method to convert atmospheric carbon into methane for power generation.
In the field of regional innovation, the Southern Sharqiya Governorate secured the top spot in the provincial innovation competition. Their bioinsecticide project, which harnesses the power of artificial intelligence to combat palm weevils, exemplifies Oman’s commitment to integrating technology with traditional sectors like agriculture.
The festival also recognized individual innovators, with Dr. Khalsa bint Hamad Al Bahariya winning the Best Innovation category in the Together We Innovate competition for her Virtual Science Laboratory project. Other noteworthy projects spanned various sectors such as tourism, education, cybersecurity, food security, and energy.
Ibrahim bin Ahmed Al Balsi, the director of the Oman Innovation Festival, emphasized that the event served as a platform to connect innovators with both government and private sector supporters. It encouraged discussions on laws and challenges related to innovation, with the aim of finding practical solutions for the future.
The festival offered a comprehensive agenda, including an innovation showcase, a bridge program for startup investment opportunities, and an innovation and knowledge-based economy forum in partnership with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). The event facilitated dialogue on innovation, resulted in research and cooperation agreements, provided training and workshops to over 1,500 participants, and fostered a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation in Oman.
At the festival’s conclusion, His Excellency Saif bin Abdullah Al Hadabi, Moheli’s Undersecretary for Scientific Research and Innovation, congratulated the award winners and praised the festival’s role in propelling Oman toward an innovation-driven, knowledge-based economy.
With more than 50 activities, the Oman Innovation Festival not only showcased the country’s creative potential but also solidified its position as a hub for scientific and technological progress in the region.
