Muscat: Participants representing the Sultanate of Oman in the 59th London International Youth Science Forum (LIYSF) got an opportunity to learn about the latest inventions in different fields of science and have a glimpse of projects and meeting with research students from all over the world.
The participants in this international assembly appreciated the efforts put by The Research Council (TRC) and the sponsors of their participation, the British Petroleum and OmanAir which was the official carrier for the participants.
The 59th LIYSF was held in London from July 26 to August 9, 2017. The theme of this year’s forum was ‘Science – Making Life Better’.
According to Miad bint Yousif Al Balushi, Marketing and Promotion Specialist at TRC, a total of 135 applications were received from various colleges and universities in the Sultanate, whereas six candidates were selected by the evaluation committee, Oman Air and BP Oman to represent the Sultanate.
Supervising the participation at the LIYSF comes in line with the Council’s vision to raise the awareness among young researchers by giving them an opportunity to interact with their peers from around the world in the field of science and technology. This aim is to provide young Omani students with an opportunity to benefit from successful experience and distinctive scientific programmes offered to youth worldwide.
The LIYSF attracts students having passion for science from all over the world. It aims to give in-depth perspective of science and applications, in addition to assisting youth to understand their peers from other nations. Lectures and case studies presented at the forum by a group of leading scientists from various scientific fields, as well as, conferences, panel discussions and debates which were held for addressing related scientific issues provided great insight to participants.
Activities of the forum also included field visits to industrial sites, scientific research centres and universities like London, Oxford and Cambridge.
The six representatives from the Sultanate appreciated the efforts that have been put by TRC and sponsors of this participation.
Talking about the event, Ahmed Masoud Ahmed Al Kathiri, a mechanical engineering student at Salalah College Technology, who participated at LIYSF with his project titled ‘Beaches cleaning drones’, said that the participation at the London International Youth Science Forum was a very impressive and a unique opportunity to learn about the latest inventions in all fields of science, and to get know how about projects and meet research students from all over the world.
“I can now greet using 25 languages,” he added.
Hanan Salim Saif Al Marhoobi from the Faculty of Science at Sultan Qaboos University, who participated with her project, “Liquid Fertilizer”, said, “I had an opportunity to visit Oxford and Cambridge. The forum enabled me to know other cultures and build skills.”
Saud Mohammed Suad Al Mukhaini, a graduate of the College of Computer Science at Sur University College, said, “The forum discussed research as one of the axis that supports research culture.” Saud participated at LIYSF with his project titled “Lightning Analyzer”.
According to Shireen Khadim Mohammed Al Lawati from the Higher College of Technology, who specialized in environmental sciences, and participated at the forum with her project titled “An environment-friendly water filter that utilises coconut husk”, the forum has opened many doors for her in the field of science through the lectures and trips she attended there.
Firdaus Mohammed Salim Al Barwani, a student form Sultan Qaboos University, said, “I participated with my project titled “Synthesis of pH-Responsive Natural Polymers”.
Presenting her project titled “Harvesting energy using piezoelectric”, Hajeer Hamed Saleh Al Haddabi, a computer engineer student at the Higher College of Technology, said, “The forum provided me with a great opportunity to attend specialised lectures. I also visited a number of laboratories that specialized in physics and satellite Industry.”