194 students compete in Oman university programming contest
Muscat – A total of 194 students from 21 universities and colleges across the sultanate are participating in the Oman University Programming Competition, which began on Wednesday under the patronage of H E Dr Saif bin Abdullah al Haddabi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Higher Education and Innovation for Scientific Research and Innovation.
Organised by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MTCIT), the two-day event brought together 65 student teams for a rigorous challenge in coding and problem-solving.
Participants, comprising 97 male and 97 female students, are grouped in teams of three. The contest features a five-hour session in which teams solve real-world problems that test algorithm design, logical reasoning, and software development skills. Solutions are coded in Python, Java and C++.
Fahd bin Sultan al Abri, Director General of Sector Stimulation and Future Skills at MTCIT, said the aim is to identify and support emerging programming talent.
'This initiative fosters innovation and strengthens skills in problem-solving and software system design, empowering students to create solutions that support the development of key sectors,' he said.
Teams are evaluated on the number of correct solutions, time taken, and number of attempts.
Abri said the broader goal is to promote a culture of innovation and build the skills needed for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
'The competition contributes to building a culture of innovation and equips young Omanis to engage with technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, especially artificial intelligence and smart applications. This aligns with the national objective of transforming Oman into a knowledge-based, digital economy.'
The competition will conclude on Thursday with an award ceremony recognising top-performing teams with cash prizes for their technical skills and innovative solutions.Oman University Programming Competition
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
3 days ago
- Observer
Space Engineering Lab under development in Oman
MUSCAT, JUNE 3 The National Space Programme is currently developing a space engineering laboratory in collaboration with Sultan Qaboos University (SQ), according to a key official associated with the initiative. Dr Saud bin Humaid al Shueili, Head of the National Space Programme at the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MoTCIT), the Space Engineering Lab initiative underscores Oman's investment in local talent and research. 'Oman has the personal talent and the Universities in the country with the clear potential to deliver and sustain a space industry. The national space programme is working closely with Sultan Qaboos University to develop the Oman Space Engineering Laboratory. This is an important national project for developing domestic capability and building space skills for the Omani population. Oman has many excellent universities producing graduates in relevant science subjects,' Dr Al Shueili added in an interview featured in SpaceTech Gulf. The official also shared that the programme is working closely with academic establishments and the private sector to explore opportunities for incorporating space education into existing courses. 'The National Programme is working with private companies and universities to understand how we can further integrate space specific elements into existing courses such as engineers, data science, and GIS,' he added. Capacity building has been identified as a key pillar of the Oman Space Policy and Executive Programme, a 10-year framework aimed at positioning Oman as a regional and global hub for space applications. The policy outlines a national strategy to upskill graduates, embed space content into academic programmes, and strengthen academia-industry cooperation. It also encourages the creation of mentorship, business coaching, and technical training opportunities that reflect real market demand. Last September, the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology unveiled a tender for the development of a space accelerator programme which aims to support entrepreneurs and local startups in the sector by providing resources, funding and guidance to help them expand and bring innovative products to the local and global markets. According to the ministry, the programme will focus on various activities in the space sector including communications, earth observation, geospatial analytics, drones, artificial intelligence and machine learning, big data processing, data storage and preservation, space sustainability and spacecraft simulation.
Observer
3 days ago
- Observer
Insights for developing sustainable data centres in Oman
As artificial intelligence becomes central to modern economies, the global surge in high-performance data centres is driving significant increases in electricity consumption and carbon emissions. These digital facilities underpin technological progress but are among the fastest-growing energy consumers globally. With data centres accounting for 2 to 3% of global electricity use, and this figure is expected to climb with the expansion of AI applications, digital twins, and large language models, the need for sustainable infrastructure is more urgent than ever. Oman, with its strategic location in the GCC and abundant renewable energy potential, is well-placed to lead this sustainable digital revolution. Oman Vision 2040 outlines Oman's road map toward a diversified and knowledge-based economy. With vast potential in renewable energy, particularly solar and wind, combined with its advancing hydrogen economy, CCUS (carbon capture, utilisation, and storage) initiatives, and LNG infrastructure, Oman can become a leader in sustainable digital transformation. The country can capitalise on its clean energy ecosystem to host AI infrastructure that is not only energy-efficient but also climate-aligned. Recent efforts by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MoTCIT), including the establishment of the National Centre for Space, Advanced Technologies, and Artificial Intelligence, reflect a growing commitment to integrate AI across key sectors. Energy is a priority, and integrating AI with energy systems will be essential to ensure efficient, resilient, and scalable data infrastructure. In particular, AI-optimised energy management systems and predictive cooling models can minimise operational costs and reduce carbon emissions. From a technical standpoint, Oman must invest in sustainable thermal management technologies suitable for its arid climate. Innovations such as liquid immersion cooling, thermal energy storage systems, and advanced hybrid air-liquid systems should be piloted. These technologies not only reduce energy consumption but also enhance system reliability under high ambient temperatures. Coupling these with renewable-powered microgrids and smart grid integration can improve grid stability and reduce dependency on fossil fuels. Additionally, research into AI-enabled fault prediction, load balancing, and real-time optimisation of cooling and power systems is crucial for operational efficiency. Strategically, a national R&D lab hosted at Sultan Qaboos University, supported by MoTCIT, industrial zones like Sohar and Duqm, and international technology partners, could serve as a testbed for future-ready data centre solutions. Such a lab would facilitate applied research, prototype demonstration, and the development of localised cooling and hydrogen-based power systems. This initiative would enhance in-country value (ICV), promote workforce development, and support capacity building in AI-energy convergence. Oman must view sustainable data centres as essential to its digital future and climate leadership. Beyond meeting regional digital demand, these centres can become engines for innovation, clean technology commercialisation, and economic diversification. By investing in targeted R&D, smart infrastructure, and public-private collaborations, Oman can position itself as a regional hub for clean energy-powered digital ecosystems aligned with Oman Vision 2040 and global net-zero targets.
Observer
4 days ago
- Observer
Oman exerts efforts to support innovation
MUSCAT: The Sultanate of Oman is making dedicated efforts to support research and innovation, which has positively reflected in its advancement by 10 positions in the Global Innovation Index (GII) issued by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) over four years — rising from 84th to 74th place. Additionally, Oman improved its ranking in innovation outputs by 23 spots, moving from 109th to 86th. Dr Saif bin Abdullah al Haddabi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation for Research and Innovation, affirmed that the recent commendation by the World Bank for Oman Vision 2040 — which places significant emphasis on human capital development, education quality enhancement, and fostering a culture of research and innovation — reflects the concerted efforts of all relevant stakeholders working diligently to achieve the vision's goals. He explained that the innovation index is one of the most critical indicators as it influences competitiveness and other key metrics. The index is measured by WIPO, drawing data from the World Bank, Unesco and 13 other global institutions. At the national level, he noted, the index is measured through infrastructure and digital framework programmes. This includes research centres such as the Muscat Innovation Complex as an established infrastructure, as well as Oman Research and Education Network, which covers nearly 99% of institutions and connects all universities and colleges in Oman, offering over 23 services. He highlighted the development of digital infrastructure through Oman Research Portal, an integrated digital platform managing research programmes — evaluating, funding and tracking their performance. Additionally, efforts are underway to establish a research equipment platform cataloguing and classifying research tools used by academics, industrial institutions and other stakeholders. - ONA
