Muscat: The University of Technology and Applied Sciences - Mussanah hosted the semi-final round of the Oman IoT & AI Challenge 2025 on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, under the patronage of H.E Dr. Juma bin Khalifa Al Busaidi, Member of the State Council, with the presence of distinguished academics, specialists, and entrepreneurs.
The competition included innovative and high-quality projects in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT). Participants competed in three main tracks: Graduation Projects, Scientific Posters, and Startups. They presented their ideas before a specialized judging panel, which evaluated the projects based on innovation, quality, and practical applicability.
In her speech during the event, Dr. Nihad Al-Zadjali, Deputy Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at UTAS-Mussanah, emphasized that this competition serves as a crucial platform to encourage technological innovation and develop smart solutions that enhance digital transformation in Oman. She highlighted the university’s strong commitment to supporting entrepreneurship and empowering Omani talents in modern technological fields. She further stated that the competition aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry to develop projects and transform them into market-ready solutions.
The semi-final round showcased creative and practical projects, with the most outstanding teams in the Graduation Projects and Startups categories advancing to the final round, which will be held in the coming period. The judging panel praised the high level of innovation demonstrated by the participants, which reflects the technical creativity of Omani youth and their ability to compete at regional and international levels.
Participants expressed their gratitude for the valuable experience, which allowed them to present their ideas before industry experts and benefit from valuable guidance to enhance their projects.
This challenge marks a significant step in fostering digital innovation in Oman, as the university continues to empower young talents and equip them with the necessary skills to achieve technological advancements that reinforce Oman’s position as a hub for technological innovation.