Al Barwani honoured with Jayakar Award
MUSCAT: Prominent Omani technologist, thought leader, and community influencer Tariq bin Hilal al Barwani has been awarded the distinguished Jayakar Award by the Indian Science Forum, in a high-profile event held at the National University of Science and Technology.
The award was presented by G V Srinivas, Ambassador of India to the Sultanate of Oman, in the presence of Dr J Retnakumar, Chairman of the Indian Science Forum, and Syed Ahmad Salman, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Indian Schools in Oman.
Named in honour of Sir Jayakar, an eminent Indian scholar and visionary, the Jayakar Award celebrates exceptional individuals who have demonstrated unwavering commitment to the advancement of science, education and social development. Al Barwani's contribution to technology, youth empowerment, and cross-cultural collaboration made him a natural recipient of this year's accolade.
"This award is not just a recognition of past achievements, but a call to continue building, inspiring, and transforming lives," said Tariq al Barwani. "I dedicate this honour to every young dreamer who believes in the power of knowledge, resilience and service to society."
The event gathered leading academics, innovators, and students from diverse backgrounds, reinforcing the spirit of unity through science and education. Al Barwani's recognition is seen as a symbol of the strong and growing relationship between Oman and India, built on shared values of innovation, mutual respect and community progress.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
8 hours ago
- Observer
CEO TALK: From boardroom to bedrock: Decarbonising the planet, one rock at a time
WALAA HAMDAN MUSCAT, JUNE 1 In the escalating global battle against climate change, few figures personify purpose-driven entrepreneurship as compellingly as Talal Hasan, Founder and CEO of Omani climate-tech startup 44.01. At the heart of his venture lies a deceptively simple yet world-changing mission: to remove as much carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere as possible—permanently, affordably, and at scale. Hasan's personal and professional transformation began not in a laboratory, but with a headline in 2018 that revealed the grim reality that Oman's seas contained the world's largest known ocean 'dead zone'—a vast, oxygen-depleted area where marine life could no longer survive. At the time, Hasan was working in venture capital at IDO Investments, backing high-growth tech and energy startups. But that sobering report shifted his trajectory entirely. 'I grew up as an environmentalist,' he recalled at a recent Startup Grind Muscat event, hosted by Walaa Hamdan. That revelation about Oman's marine life spurred deep research into climate science, eventually leading him to carbon capture—and more importantly, carbon storage, the Achilles' heel of many climate solutions. 'There was all this talk about capturing carbon, but no one was asking where to put it,' he explained. His answer? Mineralisation—a natural process that turns captured CO₂ into rock by injecting it into peridotite-rich formations, which are abundant in Oman. This process offered the promise of permanent, verifiable CO₂ removal. That idea crystallised into 44.01, named after the molecular weight of CO₂. Yet, moving from idea to implementation wasn't easy. Hasan left behind a prestigious, well-paid role in government—a 'very comfortable' position, he admitted—to found an unproven startup in a highly technical field. 'My own family thought I'd gone crazy,' he joked. 'But if you really believe in what you're doing... I just went for it.' The early days were lean and uncertain. "We didn't even know what kind of team we needed," he admitted. But he knew people were everything. Leveraging his network, he brought in a renowned carbon mineralisation scientist, a trusted colleague from IDO, and even interns from IDO programmes. Each person was chosen not just for technical skill, but for cultural fit. 'Spend time on culture,' he emphasised. 'Spend a lot of time on it.' At 44.01, team culture is intentional. They hold annual offsites, empower individuals to lead, and foster what Hasan calls a 'culture of thinking big.' As he put it, 'If you develop that culture of punching big, of being ambitious, and you get everyone in the team thinking like that, it starts to drive itself.' One of the company's first major hurdles was securing regulatory approval. 'Our first step was: Can we get the permit?' Hasan said. After months of pushing, they earned the world's first permit to mineralise CO₂ in this way—a milestone that validated their method and opened the door to commercial projects. Partnerships have been vital to scaling the vision. Early on, Hasan found himself navigating regulatory minefields, bringing six different government agencies to the same table—many of them meeting each other for the first time. 'If you can get more people to collaborate and get them in a room together, the sky's the limit,' he said. But partnerships aren't just about access or capital—they're about alignment. One potential lead investor dropped out of their Series A round for geopolitical reasons. Hasan later saw it as a blessing in disguise: 'Be picky about your investors,' he warned. 'Say no to money if the alignment isn't there. The wrong partners can pull you in the wrong direction.' That principled stance has paid off. 44.01 now boasts high-profile backers, including Sam Altman and Breakthrough Energy, the climate fund led by Bill Gates. The company has won the prestigious Earthshot Prize, along with multiple XPrize accolades—important endorsements, especially in a region more accustomed to importing rather than exporting advanced climate tech. Hasan remains clear-eyed about the stakes. 'If we can't do this in a way that's affordable, it won't scale,' he asserted. Economic viability is just as critical as environmental impact. To that end, 44.01 is now expanding into Europe, leveraging favourable regulatory frameworks and secured patents. Long term, the goal is to digitise the technology and license it globally, allowing others to deploy carbon mineralisation wherever the geology allows. As Hasan reflects on the journey from boardroom to bedrock, one message rings clear: 'Purpose comes before product.' For him, building 44.01 wasn't just about creating a business; it was about answering a personal calling to protect the planet—one mineralised tonne of CO₂ at a time.
Observer
5 days ago
- Observer
Al Barwani honoured with Jayakar Award
MUSCAT: Prominent Omani technologist, thought leader, and community influencer Tariq bin Hilal al Barwani has been awarded the distinguished Jayakar Award by the Indian Science Forum, in a high-profile event held at the National University of Science and Technology. The award was presented by G V Srinivas, Ambassador of India to the Sultanate of Oman, in the presence of Dr J Retnakumar, Chairman of the Indian Science Forum, and Syed Ahmad Salman, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Indian Schools in Oman. Named in honour of Sir Jayakar, an eminent Indian scholar and visionary, the Jayakar Award celebrates exceptional individuals who have demonstrated unwavering commitment to the advancement of science, education and social development. Al Barwani's contribution to technology, youth empowerment, and cross-cultural collaboration made him a natural recipient of this year's accolade. "This award is not just a recognition of past achievements, but a call to continue building, inspiring, and transforming lives," said Tariq al Barwani. "I dedicate this honour to every young dreamer who believes in the power of knowledge, resilience and service to society." The event gathered leading academics, innovators, and students from diverse backgrounds, reinforcing the spirit of unity through science and education. Al Barwani's recognition is seen as a symbol of the strong and growing relationship between Oman and India, built on shared values of innovation, mutual respect and community progress.
Observer
5 days ago
- Observer
Five Omani projects selected for London science forum
Muscat: The Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation (MoHERI) announced on Tuesday the names of five outstanding Omani research projects that have been selected to represent the Sultanate of Oman at the 66th edition of the London International Youth Science Forum (LIYSF) 2025. The announcement follows the conclusion of a national competition that saw 340 research proposals submitted by young researchers across the Sultanate of Oman. After rigorous evaluation, 30 projects were shortlisted, from which the top five were chosen to take part in this globally respected event, scheduled to be held in London, United Kingdom, from July 23 to August 6, 2025. The selected projects reflect a diversity of ideas addressing critical environmental and technological challenges through innovative scientific solutions. The five representatives are: Hala bint Ali al Zuabiyah, for her project titled 'Dual Treatment of Landfill Leachate Using Date Seed Tannins and Advanced Oxidation Technology', Al Muntasir bin Salim al Maamari, for his project 'AI-Assisted Green Hydrogen Production from Prosopis Juliflora and Industrial Waste', Saif bin Jumaa al Hashar, for his environmentally focused project 'Envai,' which integrates sustainability and technology, Zainab bint Khamis al Maharbiyah, for her digital platform 'Nadeem,' which supports social impact projects and fosters community engagement and Deema bint Khalaf al Maawaliyah, for her AI-powered digital platform designed to identify the most damaged pipes within water networks, helping reduce water losses and improve resource management. The evaluation of submissions was carried out by a panel of experts comprising faculty and researchers from Sultan Qaboos University, University of Technology and Applied Sciences (Al Sharqiyah Branch), the Global College of Engineering and Technology, and the Military Technological College. The judging criteria focused on originality, scientific merit, real-world applicability and innovative potential. Speaking on the significance of Oman's participation, Abeer bint Mubarak al Jabri, Research and Innovation Capacity Building Specialist at MoHERI, highlighted that the London International Youth Science Forum is a non-profit social institution established in 1959, which has since transformed the lives of more than 22,000 students worldwide. 'The forum brings together young science enthusiasts from around the world to exchange knowledge, explore cultural diversity, and engage with leading scientists and researchers,' she said. 'It serves as a global platform that empowers future scientists with critical skills, insights, and international exposure.' Al Jabri noted that Oman's participation in LIYSF reflects the country's broader goals of strengthening youth capabilities in research and innovation, encouraging creativity and promoting global scientific dialogue. She added: 'The forum enables Omani students to build networks with peers from different countries, learn about emerging technologies and gain hands-on experience in various scientific domains. It is a space where young minds are inspired to think globally and act scientifically. Between 2016 and 2024, the national competition has attracted a total of 817 applicants, with 123 projects making it to the final evaluation rounds. Of these, 43 students have represented Oman at the LIYSF to date."
