
Omani teams shine at Arab AI Robotics Contest
TUNIS: Oman secured advanced positions at the Arab Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Championship in Tunisia, which saw the participation of 89 teams from 11 Arab countries and over 300 students. The team of Al Harith bin Malik School from Al Dakhiliyah Governorate claimed second place in the advanced sumo competition, while the team of Shaikh Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Kindi School also from Al Dakhiliyah took second place in the beginner sumo category.
Additionally, the team of Al Firdous Private School from Muscat Governorate earned second place in the innovation challenge. Meanwhile, the team of Ahmed bin Al Numan Al Kaabi School from Muscat won the best strategy award in the advanced sumo contest. The team of Al Mahamid School from Muscat secured two awards - best programming and best design - in the beginner sumo competition, while Al Firdous Private School received the judges' award in the ball challenge. Oman participated in the championship with eight teams, aiming to foster creativity, teamwork and youth engagement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields. The event featured eight competitions, including Line Tracking, Ball Collection, Sumo (robot wrestling), Innovation for Students and Projects, the Robotic Arm Challenge, and several children's contests focused on real-life applications. — ONA
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Moon sighting for Dhul Hijjah on Tuesday
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Omani Coaches attend International basketball course
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‘Muharrik' platform to drive digital education
MUSCAT: The 'Muharrik' platform represents an entrepreneurial initiative that leverages augmented reality (AR) technologies for digital learning, offering innovative educational solutions based on interactive 3D models that have significantly improved students' academic performance. Ziyad bin Salim al Hinai said that the idea for the platform emerged during his studies in the United States, where he faced several academic and personal challenges. However, these challenges helped refine his entrepreneurial skills and avoid future mistakes. He noted that the platform originated from a personal desire to enhance digital learning tools and provide an engaging educational environment. He added that this challenge motivated him to seek innovative educational solutions, ultimately leading to the adoption of augmented reality technology. AR enables the transformation of abstract information into interactive 3D models, simplifying comprehension and stimulating learning. Al Hinai explained that AR technology allows complex concepts to be presented in a visual, three-dimensional format, accelerating understanding and retention. The platform has expanded its use of AR into other fields, such as museums, engineering and healthcare, collaborating with international companies to train medical personnel. He pointed out that the platform's trials have demonstrated a tangible impact on improving education. An experiment involving early-grade students using fourth-grade tailored content showed a 54-per cent improvement in academic achievement, confirming the technology's effectiveness in simplifying scientific concepts and making them more engaging. Al Hinai emphasised that the support provided by Oman Technology Fund was pivotal, not only financially but also through training workshops and knowledge mentoring, which enhanced the team's entrepreneurial capabilities and helped turn the idea into a viable and sustainable project. He added that 'Muharrik' is currently finalising a direct partnership with the Ministry of Education to promote the use of AR technology in schools. The platform also aims to expand into Arab and global markets by exporting digital educational content rather than importing it. Notably, the platform has received international awards and recognition from the Unicef and the Generation Unlimited initiative, marking a turning point in the company's trajectory and boosting the team's confidence to grow further. This recognition also helped attract its first investor, the Oman Technology Fund. - ONA