Saturday 18 / January / 2025
Muscat: The 11th edition of the National Research Award has attracted 274 participants this year, comprising 167 PhD holders or their equivalents, such as senior specialists and above for medical professionals, along with 107 emerging researchers without a PhD. The Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation will announce the winners of the prestigious award during the annual Researchers' Forum (Innovation and Entrepreneurship), set to take place next Monday at the Oman Across Ages Museum.
Dr. Saif bin Abdullah Al-Haddabi, Undersecretary for Research and Innovation at the Ministry, explained that the award is divided into two main categories: the Best Published Research for PhD holders and their equivalents, and the Best Published Research for emerging researchers. These awards span six vital research sectors, including education and human resources, information and communication systems, health and community service, energy and industry, culture and basic and social sciences, as well as environment and biological resources.
Dr. Al-Haddabi highlighted the significance of the annual Researchers' Forum, describing it as an important scientific gathering that allows researchers and interested parties to stay informed about the latest advancements. The event also facilitates the exchange of knowledge and experiences between academic and scientific communities and the broader public. Furthermore, it encourages researchers to propose innovative projects and showcase their activities across a range of scientific fields.
In addition to the award ceremony, the forum will feature the signing of research contracts under two key programmes: the Strategic Research Projects Programme, which focuses on serving governmental institutions, and the Performance-Based Institutional Funding Programme, designed to support higher education institutions.
The forum will also host two workshops, one examining the role of institutions in promoting innovation and entrepreneurship, and the other exploring the journey of innovators, from the inception of an idea to its implementation. An exhibition will accompany the event, showcasing the winning research projects alongside initiatives by various innovators, further demonstrating Oman’s commitment to fostering research and innovation.
