The Omani tech ecosystem has launched the “Ghemathon” hackathon, a three-day intensive event bringing together 105 participants across 21 teams from the Sultanate’s leading academic and research institutions. The initiative aims to develop innovative solutions for high-priority national challenges in education, scientific research, sustainability, and entrepreneurship.
A Catalyst for Digital Transformation
Organized by the Oman Research and Education Network (OMREN), under the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, Ghemathon serves as a competitive national platform for students, innovators, researchers, and entrepreneurs. It is designed to accelerate Oman’s digital transformation and advance its sustainable development goals. The hackathon is a key event within the upcoming Oman Technology Summit (OTS25), which runs under the theme “Artificial Intelligence as a Driving Force for Scientific Research and Education.”
“The hackathon is not just a competition; it is a space for creativity and thinking, and a real opportunity to explore the energies of young people and encourage them to employ modern technologies in developing the education and scientific research systems,” stated Munir bin Nasser Al-Battashi, Director of OMREN.
Addressing Priority National Challenges
Participants will focus on developing technology-driven projects across several key domains, including smart education and learning technologies, scientific research and digital analysis, sustainability and educational inclusivity, and institutional innovation. The challenges were defined based on actual needs identified by specialized government institutions, giving teams a direct opportunity to create practical, implementable solutions.
An Intensive Three-Day Program
The first day of the hackathon featured an opening session outlining the event’s objectives, followed by workshops on idea generation and innovative model development. The subsequent two days will be dedicated to intensive training sessions and specialized reviews under the guidance of experts and mentors in technology and entrepreneurship, culminating in final project presentations to a judging committee and the announcement of the winners at the closing ceremony. The outcomes are expected to bolster digital transformation initiatives and enhance collaboration between higher education and the public and private sectors.
About The Oman Research and Education Network (OMREN)
The Oman Research and Education Network (OMREN) is a national initiative operating under the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation. It aims to establish and manage a dedicated high-speed network to connect research and educational institutions across Oman, facilitating collaboration, data sharing, and access to global research networks. OMREN plays a vital role in supporting the country’s research capabilities and fostering a culture of innovation.
Source: Oman Daily
