Bidiyah: The scientific committee of the "NASA Space Apps Challenge 2025" event announced the winning teams of the hackathon, which concluded in the Wilayat of Bidiyah, North A’Sharqiyah Governorate. The event was held with the participation of the University of Technology and Applied Sciences, Ibra Branch, under the slogan "Learn, Launch and Lead," featuring intense competition among 85 teams over two days.
Dr. Hafez Said Al Rahbi, Assistant Vice-Chancellor of the University of Technology and Applied Sciences at the Ibra Branch, stated that the 48-hour continuous event was held simultaneously in 180 cities worldwide, with the successful contribution of more than 14 space agencies. It aligns with the University's efforts to foster an environment of innovation and provide students, programmers, and developers the opportunity to explore real scientific challenges presented by NASA and work on developing solutions based on open data and innovative software.
He indicated that the number of registrants for this year's hackathon reached 645 participants, distributed across 85 teams, competing in 18 challenges. This included a local challenge made available by NASA in partnership with the Omani Astronomical Society and the "Itlaq" company, establishing North A’Sharqiyah Governorate as a beacon for ideas and a hub for innovation initiatives and scientific imagination.
The results for the winning teams in this year's hackathon challenges are as follows: The student team "GEOBLOOM" won the award for best team in the Data Use Challenge; the student team "LEOVERSE" won the award for best team in the Art & Technology Challenge; and the student team "GRIV" won the award for best team in the Technology Use Challenge.
The student team "GALACTIQUEST" won the award for best team in the Mission Concept Challenge; the student team "TERRAGUARD" won the award for best team in the Global Connection Challenge; and the student team "INTELLIWAVE" won the award for best team in the Galactic Impact Challenge.
The student team "ZENITH" won the award for best team in the Local Impact Challenge; the student team "ALTAKWEEN ASTROCREATORS" won the award for best team in the Storytelling Challenge; the student team "COSMIC CRAFTERS" won the award for best team in the Science Use Challenge; and the student team "SHELLY" won the award for best team in the "Most Inspirational" Challenge.
It is worth noting that the "NASA Space Apps Challenge 2025" event witnessed broad participation from higher education institutions and space enthusiasts from within Oman and abroad. This year featured participation from an international team, the "Zanzibar Space Team" from Tanzania, reflecting efforts to enhance cultural dimensions and cooperation in the field of innovation.