Oman has kicked off the Generative Artificial Intelligence Hackathon, named “Mulham,” a month-long competition running until October 29. The event, organized by the Academy of Strategic and Defence Studies, was launched under the patronage of Rear Admiral Ali bin Abdullah al Shidi, Commandant of the National Defence College, and aims to drive youth innovation in key economic sectors.
Fostering Youth-Led Innovation
The primary goal of the Mulham hackathon is to motivate young Omanis to develop creative technical solutions for pressing societal and economic issues. From an initial pool of 130 applicant teams, 25 have qualified to compete. These teams will work on developing digital project prototypes in critical fields, including cybersecurity, education and learning, and customer service, showcasing the nation’s emerging tech talent.
Aligning With National Strategy
This initiative is a key component of the programs carried out by the Academy of Strategic and Defence Studies, aligning directly with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040. The hackathon also serves as a preparatory event for this year’s national symposium, which is focused on creating public-private partnerships to generate new job opportunities, highlighting the strategic importance of nurturing a local digital economy.
Strong Public-Private Sector Collaboration
The hackathon is supported by a strong coalition of partners from both the public and private sectors. Key sponsors include prominent Omani organizations such as Omantel, the National Bank of Oman, Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), and the Programming Academy. This collaboration underscores a unified effort to build a robust innovation ecosystem in the Sultanate.
About The Academy of Strategic and Defence Studies
The Academy of Strategic and Defence Studies is an Omani institution operating under the National Defence College. It is focused on national security, strategic studies, and fostering initiatives that align with Oman’s national development goals, including technological innovation and human capital development.
Source: Oman Observer
