Muscat: The Muharrik platform is an entrepreneurial venture that uses augmented reality (AR) technology to provide new educational solutions based on interactive 3D models that have considerably improved students' academic performance.
Ziyad Salim Al Hinai told Oman News Agency that the concept for the platform originated during his education in the United States, when he encountered numerous academic and personal obstacles. However, these experiences helped him hone his entrepreneurial abilities and avoid future errors. He said that the platform evolved from a personal ambition to improve digital learning technologies and create a more engaging educational experience.
He stated that this challenge prompted him to explore for new educational alternatives, which led to the use of augmented reality technology. AR transforms abstract knowledge into interactive 3D representations, making it easier to understand and encouraging learning.
Al Hinai stated that AR technology enables sophisticated topics to be displayed graphically and in three dimensions, speeding comprehension and recall. The platform has broadened its use of AR into other sectors, including as museums, engineering, and healthcare, working with international corporations to educate medical professionals.
He said that the platform's trials have shown a clear influence in promoting education. An experiment with early-grade kids using fourth-grade appropriate material revealed a 54% boost in academic performance, demonstrating the technology's capacity to simplify scientific ideas and make them more interesting.
Al Hinai underlined that the help given by the Oman Technology Fund was critical, not just monetarily but also via training workshops and knowledge mentoring, which improved the team's entrepreneurial skills and helped turn the idea into a viable and long-term company.
He said that Muharrik is now negotiating a direct collaboration agreement with Oman's Ministry of Education to promote the use of AR technology in schools. The platform also intends to spread into Arab and international regions by exporting digital educational content rather than importing it.
Notably, the platform has won international awards and recognition from UNICEF and the Generation Unlimited initiative, indicating a watershed moment in the company's journey and bolstering the team's resolve to expand even more. This acknowledgment also aided in attracting its first investor, the Oman Technology Fund.
