Wednesday 24 / April / 2024
Muscat: National University of Science and Technology in the Sultanate of Oman is a leading player in the higher education sector and is well known for its innovative initiatives and quest for social values.
This year’s NUTech Fest adds one more feather to its cap by replacing the traditional face to face techfest event with a fully online one. To those who are not aware, the NUTechFest is a technical gathering for undergraduate students across the nation with many interesting competitions.
This year the College of Engineering came up with four competitions namely Smart Oman, Technical Paper Presentation, Quiz Contest and a Poster Presentation under the umbrella of NUTechFest 2021 with a unique theme namely “Smart and Sustainable Sultanate”.
This year’s theme “Smart and sustainable Sultanate” fits into the University’s vision and mission statement and to the Nation’s Strategic Goal of initiating an overall development that is smart with the latest technologies such as IoT, AI, Machine learning and at the same time sustainable in the long run.
The inaugural function of NUTechfest 2021 was held online on 19th May 2021 which witnessed participation from all over Oman from varied sectors. Engineer Salim Humaid Al Mahruqi, the Founder and Director of Industrial Supplies Centre, Advanced Engineering Solutions and Technical Innovation Services LLC and an eminent and well-known entrepreneur and innovator graced the event as the Chief Guest.
The online gathering was welcomed by Prof Vallavaraj, Assistant Dean, College of engineering. In his welcome address, he briefed on how the pandemic has closed the doors on many of our regular initiatives, but have opened up new ones which is a welcoming change and creating new norms.
He threw some light on the history of this one and half decade old event which has taken up a new form as a virtual one.
Dr Ali Saud Al Bimani, Honorable Vice Chancellor of the National University, in his inaugural address, mentioned how this event aligns with the vision and mission of the university and also to the nation’s strategic goals.
He expressed his wish and dream of developing a smart campus using the latest Smart Technology and thereby make the National University sustainable in the long run.
The Chief Guest, Er. Salim Humaid Al Mahruqi motivated the students by emphasising the importance of creating smart, sustainable and innovative solutions for Oman to boost the overall development of the country reducing the dependence on oil, which will make Oman’s development a truly sustainable one. He commented that National University is well ahead of the current trends in education which is evident by the events proposed. Based on his vast business experience, he highlighted the gaps in few sectors in Oman like the fishing industry and other local industry which can be bridged by introducing smart IoT based innovations.
Offering students his extended support beyond the event, he promised help for those students who would come up with practical smart solutions for the existing gaps, which can later be fine-tuned and released to society. Following the vote of thanks, the main events were held online witnessing participation from a very enthusiastic audience. Students from nearly 11 colleges and universities have registered for the events. The 2-day event will be a trendsetter and will help the student community to showcase their talent and innovation.
