Muscat: On Wednesday, February 12, 2025, the University of Technology and Applied Sciences - Mussanah hosted the semi-final stage of the Oman IoT & AI Challenge 2025, under the esteemed patronage of H.E Dr. Juma bin Khalifa Al Busaidi, a Member of the State Council. The event was attended by prominent academics, specialists, and entrepreneurs.
The competition featured a range of innovative and high-caliber projects focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT). Participants competed across three primary categories: Graduation Projects, Scientific Posters, and Startups. They presented their concepts to a specialized panel of judges, who assessed the projects based on criteria such as innovation, quality, and practical applicability.
During her address at the event, Dr. Nihad Al-Zadjali, Deputy Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at UTAS-Mussanah, underscored the importance of this competition as a vital platform for fostering technological innovation and developing smart solutions that facilitate digital transformation in Oman. She reaffirmed the university’s dedication to promoting entrepreneurship and nurturing Omani talent in contemporary technological sectors. Additionally, she noted that the competition aims to bridge the divide between academia and industry, facilitating the development of projects into viable market solutions.
The semi-final round highlighted a variety of creative and practical projects, with the top teams in the Graduation Projects and Startups categories moving forward to the final round, scheduled for a later date. The judging panel commended the exceptional level of innovation exhibited by the participants, showcasing the technical ingenuity of Omani youth and their capacity to compete on both regional and international stages.
Participants expressed their appreciation for the enriching experience, which provided them the opportunity to present their ideas to industry experts and receive invaluable feedback to refine their projects.
This initiative represents a crucial advancement in promoting digital innovation in Oman, as the university remains committed to nurturing young talent and providing them with the essential skills needed to drive technological progress, thereby strengthening Oman’s status as a center for technological innovation.
