Muscat: The fourth edition of the Oman Science Festival 2024, themed "Sustainable Resources," commenced today at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre, under the esteemed patronage of Dr. Hilal Ali Al Sabti, Minister of Health. The event was graced by the presence of distinguished guests, including Dr. Madiha Ahmed Al Shibani, Minister of Education, Laila Ahmed Al Najjar, Minister of Social Development, and Dr. Moosa Mohammed Al Maqrif, Minister of Education in Libya.
A total of 141 institutions have participated in this event, showcasing their innovative contributions across various fields.
Furthermore, five international organizations have been invited to partake in the festival: the Hungarian SKILLDICT organization, the Museum of Natural Sciences of Belgium, the European Organization for Nuclear Research ‘CERN’, the Malaysian National Gifted Centre, and the Mishkat Interactive Exhibition in Saudi Arabia.
The Oman Science Festival 2024 promises a rich tapestry of 520 diverse activities, ranging from scientific interactive workshops to scientific plays, competitions, and scientific discoveries.
This eight-day festival is structured around eight main sections, each focusing on a distinct theme: Biodiversity, Smart Future, Health and Life, Wings to Space, Smart Cities, Cybernetics, Little Buds, Natural Resources, Sustainable Food, Vibrant Energies, and Flourishing Science.
These sections are designed to foster environmental awareness and promote a vision of a sustainable future. They aim to educate students about the importance of environmental conservation and natural resource management, while also instilling values of sustainability that are crucial for achieving sustainable development.
The Military Technologies section presents advanced technologies and their applications, highlighting their progress in comparison to traditional methods. It organizes over 90 workshops, showcases innovations, and features a variety of equipment utilized by Oman’s law enforcement.
The Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation section features 16 inspiring success stories from scientific research and innovation projects. It presents two success stories each day of the festival, in addition to scientific innovations that incorporate the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and Virtual Reality (VR).
At the Ibn Omaira Theatre, the Mishkat interactive exhibition engages visitors with scientific performances (Fun Sciences) that explore energy science, forms, and sustainable resources. It features a spaceship that requires different energy resources to operate, demonstrating the concept in a fun and interactive manner.
Dr. Moosa Mohammed Al Maqrif, Minister of Education of Libya, who is currently visiting Oman, commended the engagement of students and participants across the festival's various corners. He highlighted the festival's diversity of activities as a testament to its success.
He emphasized the festival as a platform for the exchange of ideas between students and academic experts, urging students to delve into the wonders of science and to develop their knowledge and skills.
He underscored the significance of such events in nurturing a scientific culture among the youth, noting it as an ideal setting to encourage innovation and creativity.
The chief guest had the opportunity to tour various sections of the festival, during which he was briefed on the content and activities of each.
