Latest news with #UniversityofTechnologyandAppliedSciences
Observer
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Observer
A smart way to clean your car's AC
Muscat: Engineer Mahmoud bin Mohammed al Hinai, a lecturer at the University of Technology and Applied Sciences in Nizwa, has devised a smart method for cleaning and sterilizing the interior of a car's air conditioner without having to disassemble the dashboard, which will be mentioned by the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation in its magazine. The idea revolves around adding miniature sprayers, similar to the water jet sprayers found in cars, to clean the glass. These sprayers are installed in front of the air conditioner's evaporator (refrigerator) from the inside, and are connected to the sprayers with a tank containing special air conditioning cleaning fluids. These are environmentally friendly and available in the market at affordable prices. The cleaning process can be completed within minutes by the user or by maintenance centers. The cleaning fluids exit from the bottom of the car along with a special pipe for draining condensed water from the air conditioner. This innovation contributes to eliminating the unpleasant air conditioning odor that all car users notice when the air conditioner is turned on, which is caused by accumulation of dust, fungi, and microbes in the air conditioner's evaporator (refrigerator), which has cost some car companies more than a billion and a half dollars just because of the odour. Generally, cleaning the air conditioner without having to disassemble the dashboard is an expensive, tiring, and time-consuming process that results in more problems, such as annoying noises when the dashboard is reinstalled incorrectly. He will represent the Sultanate of Oman at the exhibition Geneva International Invention Fair 2025, supported by the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation.
Observer
20-05-2025
- Business
- Observer
Oman boosts food security, industry, with new land deals
Muscat, May 20 As part of the ongoing efforts to promote investment and optimise the use of government land, the second day of the 20th edition of the Oman Real Estate Conference and Exhibition witnessed the signing of 46 usufruct contracts worth over RO 9 million. These agreements cover a variety of sectors that support the national economy. The agreements were signed by Eng Hamad bin Ali al Nazwani, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning for Housing, in the presence of several representatives from relevant entities and investment partners. Among the agreements, 33 contracts were in the food security sector, covering an area exceeding 1,325 acres, and 12 contracts were allocated to small and medium-sized enterprises in the industrial sector, spanning over 10,000 square metres. Additionally, a contract was signed to establish a specialised sports academy on an area exceeding 26,000 square metres, reflecting support for sports infrastructure and youth sector investment. YOUTH FORUM On Tuesday, A Youth Forum was organised with the participation of a group of young Omani professionals who played a significant role in shaping and implementing the National Urban Development Strategy projects. The forum provided an opportunity to highlight achievements in recent years and reaffirm the importance of empowering youth and involving them in planning future cities in ways that reflect the aspirations of the new generation and ensure sustainable development across all governorates. During the event, the ministry honoured the three winning teams from the Housing Design Innovation Lab for their effective contributions in developing innovative housing designs that meet sustainability standards and reflect a deep understanding of Oman's geographic diversity. A total of 28 architecture students from the University of Nizwa and the University of Technology and Applied Sciences in Muscat took part. The lab is one of the ministry's initiatives aimed at strengthening collaboration between the government and academic institutions by involving university and college students specialising in architecture and civil engineering. The goal is to develop advanced design solutions for social housing projects tailored to coastal, mountainous and desert environments, integrating artificial intelligence concepts into urban planning and analysis processes. A total of 28 architecture students from the University of Nizwa and the University of Technology and Applied Sciences in Muscat took part in the lab. They were divided into 14 teams and worked on creating advanced housing models that address environmental and financial sustainability challenges while meeting the needs of modern lifestyles.
Observer
10-05-2025
- Business
- Observer
AI challenge inspires innovation
AL MUSANNAH: The University of Technology and Applied Sciences in Al Musannah hosted the final round of the Oman IoT & AI Challenge 2025 at the university's theatre. The challenge aims to inspire innovation and strengthen the technical skills of young people and entrepreneurs in Oman. It also reflects Oman's commitment to encouraging innovation and technology as key pillars of its digital future by creating a competitive environment that promotes research and entrepreneurship. Dr Nasser al Bimani, Assistant Vice Chancellor of the university, emphasised the importance of IoT and AI in developing young minds and inspiring creativity. He highlighted that the challenge is not only a test of technical skills but also an opportunity to empower participants to transform their ideas into real projects that contribute to sustainable development. He also stressed the university's role in enhancing students' skills by enabling them to develop smart solutions that address current challenges and support digital transformation. The final round brought together the top projects and startups from the semi-final stage, selected through strict criteria focused on technical excellence and added value. Participants underwent a thorough evaluation, where projects were filtered based on quality, innovation and practical application. The most outstanding teams advanced to the final, with winners set to represent Oman in the Arab IoT & AI Challenge — giving them a chance to compete regionally and raise the standard of innovation and excellence. Dr Saeed al Rubaie, Vice Chancellor of the university, inaugurated the accompanying exhibition, which featured five startups and 22 student graduation projects. Participants came from university branches across Al Musannah, Suhar, Salalah, Ibri, Nizwa, Ibra, Muscat, Shinas, Sur, as well as Sohar University and Majan University College. The exhibition served as a platform to encourage students and entrepreneurs to develop tech solutions and foster stronger collaboration between academia and industry, opening new opportunities for collaboration and investment in emerging technologies.
Observer
08-05-2025
- Business
- Observer
AI's role in business management explored
The College of Economics and Business Administration at the University of Technology and Applied Sciences in Ibri organised a scientific symposium titled "Artificial Intelligence in Business Management". The event was held under the auspices of Dr Ahoud al Balushi, Member of the State Council. The symposium aimed to discuss the rapid transformations driven by AI technologies across business management fields, showcase national experiences, and examine opportunities and challenges in AI adoption while forecasting its future roles in employment and workplaces. Dr Al Ameer bin Nasser al Alawi, Assistant Vice-Chancellor of UTAS-Ibri, stated: "AI has become an undeniable reality - no longer a luxury but a strategic tool enabling institutions to enhance operational efficiency, support decision-making, optimise resource management and deliver exceptional services aligned with modern societal aspirations." He emphasised AI's critical role in building competitive advantages in local and global markets, noting UTAS's commitment to preparing students and professionals to leverage AI and digital technologies for national development goals.
Observer
07-05-2025
- Science
- Observer
UTAS-Ibra participants present a scientific paper in Türkiye
Dr. Saud bin Saif al-Busaidi, an English lecturer at the University of Technology and Applied Sciences in Ibra, participated with a paper titled "How Are the Policy Initiatives Being Enacted to Strengthen Regional Higher Education in the GCC Received and Implemented?" at the International Conference on Advances in Technology, Education, and Science, held in Trabzon, Türkiye, from May 1 to 4. This participation reflects the university's commitment, in general, and its Ibra branch, in particular, to develop the academic staff by keeping up with the latest published research in their fields. These contributions are also part of the strategic plan for research and innovation, as scientific research is an indicator for raising the university's ranking both locally and internationally. The conference featured speakers from several countries, including Indonesia, Morocco, Algeria, Libya, Canada, Britain, and the United States. The conference included four keynote speakers, whose topics focused on the tools of artificial intelligence in various fields, including "Revolutionizing Higher Ed: AI's Impact on Faculty and Pedagogy" and "AI for Sustainable Development: Opportunities and Challenges." The conference also included a poster session, which showcased a variety of research projects, including "The Role of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Tools in Redefining English Linguistics and Translation Pedagogy: Challenges and Opportunities." Such participation highlights the importance of international collaboration in higher education and enhances the role of universities in engaging in scientific research to support the educational process.
