Oman

Students showcase innovative skills at hackathon

 
A hackathon aimed at fostering overall technological advancement among students and academics concluded recently in Salalah. The 48-hour event attracted wide participation from universities, colleges, community members and innovators, with 25 teams competing in the final stages across a variety of technological challenges.

The hackathon officially kicked off under the auspices of Dr Rahma bint Ibrahim al Mahrouqiyah, Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation. The event featured a distinguished assembly of academics and industry experts, reinforcing its focus on cultivating innovation and technological progress.

The event, hosted by Dhofar University (DU), featured a distinguished assembly of academics and industry experts, reinforcing its focus on cultivating innovation and technological progress.

As the academic partner, DU played an instrumental role in supporting and mentoring the teams, helping to shape the collaborative and competitive atmosphere. The university's contributions were not limited to logistical support; its students also excelled in the competition.



The ‘23 Irth al Dahariz’ team from the College of Engineering took first place in the Dhofar Governor’s Office Challenge. This team, comprised of Lina Mujahid, Abdullah bin Ahmed Bait Othman, Nour el Din Mamdouh, Ahmed bin Khalid Bamkhalef, and Hassan Jamal Ali, emerged victorious after tackling complex engineering problems.

Meanwhile, the 'Ma’een' team, which included Amin bin Ahmed al Maashani, graduate Ali bin Ahmed al Mujibi and Shihab bin Ahmed al Jabri, secured third place overall.

DU academics played pivotal roles as mentors, including Dr Lamia Mostafa from the College of Engineering and Nasser Tabouk from the College of Arts and Applied Sciences, providing guidance and expertise to participating teams.

By focusing on fostering technological innovation, this hackathon underscores the importance of such events in preparing students and academics to lead in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.

“Events like the OQ Hackathon serve as crucial platforms for developing future talent and encouraging collaborative problem-solving, thus contributing significantly to the governorate's broader technological advancement,” said a participant.