Friday 19 / April / 2024
Muscat: Among its various events, The Research Council has organised two hackathons — Family Hackathon and Talent Hackathon — both of which encourage creativity, innovation and imagination at the Oman Science Festival 2019.
For the Family Hackathon, family members solve issues using modern technology, especially using the techniques of the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR).
On the other hand, the Talent Hackathon (YouTube) involves those interested in technology who find innovative solutions to local problems and challenges using the technologies of the 4th Industrial Revolution, such as virtual reality and augmented reality, the use of ‘Internet of Things’ and their applications in smart cities and interactive big data analysis through its competition.
This year’s festival is a five-day event that started from November 4th and will conclude on November 8th 2019 at Oman Convention and Exhibition Center (OCEC).
This year’s festival consists of 300 events and more than 1,200 participants, in addition to leading programming and robot competitions, various hackathons, drone competitions, scientific films as well as scientific presentations.
Virtual reality screens
In addition to the hackathons, TRC has a booth that provides visitors with new and enriching experiences in the use of virtual reality screens and 3D printers. There are also interactive competitions with valuable prizes in relation to the field of science and innovation.
The booth aims to spread awareness of the roles of TRC and its various programmes, including Innovation Park Muscat (IPM).
In the second and third day of the festival, presenters from all around the world took the stage and delivered thought-provoking presentations within the different fields of science.
Presenters from TRC also participated in the sessions such as Dr. Jamilla Al Hinai, Project Manager of the National Strategy for Research and Development 2040, who delivered a presentation on the preparation of the National Strategy for Research and Development (NSRD) 2020-2040 project.
Dr Sausan Al Riyami, Renewable Energy Researcher at TRC, gave a presentation titled as ‘Can H2 be the Future Green Energy?’ in which she discussed how Oman can contribute to allowing hydrogen to become a ‘game-changer’ source of energy, while Dr. Zahra Al Rawahi, Director of the Innovative Capacity Building at TRC, contributed to the topic of ‘Artificial Intelligence and the Future Economy’ at the festival with her presentation on ‘Toward a National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence: Vision and trends’.
Moreover, Dr Abdullah Al Abri, Executive Director of EJAAD, elaborated on how hydrogen can be a real opportunity in Oman through his presentation ‘Oman Renewables: An Engine for Economic Growth’.
With its participation in the Oman Science Festival, TRC aims to promote the culture of scientific research and innovation in the Sultanate through its interactive competitions, hackathons and scientific presentations.
