logo
Research conference discusses role of AI in realising digital transition across various sectors

Research conference discusses role of AI in realising digital transition across various sectors

Times of Oman01-05-2025

Muscat: The Students Research Conference on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Cybersecurity was held on Thursday at the Middle East College in Muscat.
The 7th edition of the conference discussed the role of AI in promoting transition across various sectors and underscored the importance of involving youth in shaping the digital future. It was held under the auspices of Dr. Rahma Ibrahim Al Mahrouqi, Minister of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation.
The conference seeks to promote scholarly research and innovation and link educational outcomes (graduates) with labour market needs.
Thursday's activities of the conference included panel discussions, parallel research presentations, skill-building workshops and a competition on AI technologies.
The conference also included workshops on CV preparation, tests on cognitive ability and specialized sessions on AI applications in supply chains, education, information security, computer vision and multimedia computing.
Some of the papers discussed during the conference will be selected for publication in a peer-reviewed journal, encouraging students and offering them an opportunity to present their research findings and showcase their academic achievements.
The conference reflects an academic strategy aimed to pair education with the labour market, notably by providing research platforms that keep pace with modern requirements and enhance students' capacities for innovation and development.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Oman making efforts to be among top in global innovation index by 2030
Oman making efforts to be among top in global innovation index by 2030

Times of Oman

time3 days ago

  • Times of Oman

Oman making efforts to be among top in global innovation index by 2030

Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman is making dedicated efforts to support research and innovation, which has resulted 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. In this context, Dr. Saif Abdullah Al Haddabi, Undersecretary for Research and Innovation at the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation, affirmed to Oman News Agency (ONA) 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 stated that Oman, under "Oman Vision 2040," aims to rank among the top 40 countries in the Global Innovation Index by 2030 and among the top 20 by 2040. He explained that the innovation index is one of the most critical indicators in "Oman Vision 2040," 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 programs. This includes research centers such as the Muscat Innovation Complex as an established infrastructure, as well as Oman Research and Education Network (OMREN), 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 programs—evaluating, funding, and tracking their performance. Additionally, efforts are underway to establish a research equipment platform cataloging and classifying research tools used by academics, industrial institutions, and other stakeholders. Al Haddabi added that the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation implements numerous programs supporting scientific research in Oman, categorized into three main initiatives targeting academic, governmental, and industrial sectors. The Scientific Publishing Program, he noted, serves as an international benchmark for knowledge production, tracking publications in prestigious scientific journals. This programme enhances Oman's standing in the Global Innovation Index's knowledge output metrics. Since 2018, the Ministry has funded 2,228 research projects under the Academic Sector Research Support Program ("Performance-Based Institutional Funding"), including 475 projects last year worth approximately OMR2.4 million. Under the Strategic Research Programme for the government sector, addressing institutional challenges, 74 projects were funded, while the Industrial Sector's "Ijada" Program supported 61 projects with a total investment of OMR2.5 million. Al Haddabi emphasised that these integrated programmes, initiatives, and funding mechanisms collectively advance "Oman Vision 2040" objectives, elevate Oman's global rankings, and enhance the efficiency of national research and innovation. As for innovation and capacity-building programmes, he outlined 13 initiatives, including the National Program for Supporting Innovation Centres in Higher Education, the Student Graduation Projects to Startups Program, the Falling Walls Competition, and national research awards honouring scholars across sectors. Omani innovators and researchers also participate in international competitions such as the Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions, the Kuala Lumpur International Invention Awards, and the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings. He touched on the four pillars of the National Innovation Strategy, namely Knowledge-Based Economic Diversification (Transforming traditional products into high-value outputs using technology and knowledge), Human Capital (Investing in education, skills, and cognitive development to foster innovative solutions), Institutional Integration (Strengthening collaboration among government, academic, and industrial entities to address national challenges) and Intellectual Property (IP) (Protecting innovators' rights and patents to ensure long-term investment in innovation, where IP assets like patents are key intangible resources for licensing or commercialization). On future plans, he stated that the Ministry is implementing structured strategies to support academic innovation through establishment and empowerment pathways, including six university incubators. Programs are designed to be flexible and scalable for maximum researcher and innovator benefit. Upcoming initiatives include launching "Oman Innovates," a national platform centralizing innovation services—facilitating access to support, registration, funding, and investor connections—to serve as Oman's digital innovation hub. In conclusion, Al Haddabi underscored the media's vital role in promoting scientific and innovation culture, which is fundamental to nurturing a generation of innovators and entrepreneurs. He observed growing awareness in schools and universities through competitions and events, reflecting the nation's progressive strides in research and innovation.

Omani-Saudi forum explores ways to enhance knowledge cooperation
Omani-Saudi forum explores ways to enhance knowledge cooperation

Observer

time25-05-2025

  • Observer

Omani-Saudi forum explores ways to enhance knowledge cooperation

Muscat: The Omani-Saudi Knowledge Dialogue Forum commenced in Muscat, organised by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation in collaboration with the Saudi Council of University Affairs. The forum's opening ceremony was held under the auspices of Dr Rahma bint Ibrahim al Mahrouqiyah, Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation (MoHERI). It serves as a strategic platform to enhance knowledge cooperation and expertise exchange between the two brotherly countries. The forum aims to establish partnerships between higher education institutions in Oman and their counterparts in Saudi Arabia, strengthen scientific research collaboration through joint research programmes and researcher exchanges, promote student and academic exchanges, and encourage the establishment of research and development centres. Dr Maryam al Nabhani, Director-General of Private Universities and Colleges, emphasised the forum's importance, stating: "This forum builds on the longstanding fraternal relations between Oman and Saudi Arabia and serves as a strategic platform to foster academic cooperation and the exchange of expertise. It aims to support institutional twinning between universities in both countries, enhance joint research programmes, promote academic and student exchange, and encourage the establishment of research and development centres." She added that the forum will focus on key topics such as entrepreneurial universities in the Gulf, the role of the Fourth and Fifth Industrial Revolutions in shaping smart campuses, and mechanisms for boosting research and innovation cooperation. Additionally, the forum seeks to boost joint investments in education, scientific research and innovation while activating communication channels between intellectual, educational, and research institutions. These efforts contribute to supporting the objectives of Oman Vision 2040 and Saudi Vision 2030. From the Saudi side, Dr Bassam bin Abdullah al Bassam, Secretary-General, Council of Universities' Affairs, extended his gratitude to Oman for hosting the forum. "This forum is a testament to the strong fraternal ties between our two countries and serves as a catalyst for academic cooperation and knowledge exchange among educational institutions. It provides a valuable opportunity to share experiences and elevate the quality of education across the GCC," he stated. He added that institutions of higher learning are vital hubs for knowledge production, innovation, and talent development, playing a central role in addressing national and global challenges. "This meeting is an essential step toward deeper academic and research collaboration and will pave the way for future joint initiatives," he said. Dr Al Bassam urged participants to make the most of this opportunity by establishing strong networks that support ongoing cooperation and contribute to national development goals. The forum is expected to produce actionable recommendations to support the development of entrepreneurial universities that are integrated with public and private sectors. Discussions will also explore curriculum development, academic accreditation, technical education and open learning. A particular emphasis will be placed on increasing Gulf visibility in international academic conferences and promoting co-authored research publications. The event includes several dialogue sessions focusing on challenges and opportunities in building leading universities in GCC countries, highlighting the role of the Fourth and Fifth Industrial Revolutions in supporting education, learning, and smart campuses, as well as cooperation in scientific research and innovation. The forum features participation from nearly 70 Saudi universities, several research centres, and all public and private higher education institutions in Oman.

Omani-Saudi Knowledge Dialogue Forum explores ways to enhance knowledge cooperation
Omani-Saudi Knowledge Dialogue Forum explores ways to enhance knowledge cooperation

Times of Oman

time25-05-2025

  • Times of Oman

Omani-Saudi Knowledge Dialogue Forum explores ways to enhance knowledge cooperation

Muscat: The Omani-Saudi Knowledge Dialogue Forum commenced today in Muscat, organized by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation in collaboration with the Saudi Council of University Affairs. The forum's opening ceremony was held under the auspices of Dr. Rahma Ibrahim Al Mahrouqi, Minister of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation. The Omani-Saudi Knowledge Dialogue Forum serves as a strategic platform to enhance knowledge cooperation and expertise exchange between the two brotherly countries. The forum aims to establish partnerships between higher education institutions in Oman and their counterparts in Saudi Arabia, strengthen scientific research collaboration through joint research programs and researcher exchanges, promote student and academic exchanges, and encourage the establishment of research and development centers. Additionally, the forum seeks to boost joint investments in education, scientific research, and innovation while activating communication channels between intellectual, educational, and research institutions. These efforts contribute to supporting the objectives of Oman Vision 2040 and Saudi Vision 2030. The forum brings together academics, researchers, and decision-makers from both countries to exchange visions, ideas, and expertise while exploring ways to enhance knowledge partnerships across various nationally prioritized fields. The event includes several dialogue sessions focusing on challenges and opportunities in building leading universities in GCC countries, highlighting the role of the Fourth and Fifth Industrial Revolutions in supporting education, learning, and smart campuses, as well as cooperation in scientific research and innovation. The forum features participation from nearly 70 Saudi universities, several research centers, and all public and private higher education institutions in Oman.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store