In a significant move to bolster Oman’s national digital transformation agenda, Vodafone Oman, in partnership with the Innovation and Technology Transfer Centre at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), has successfully concluded a three-day digital innovation hackathon. The initiative was designed to move beyond conceptual ideas, challenging participants to develop practical and deployable solutions for real-world challenges.
The event gathered 121 university students, early-career professionals, and tech practitioners into multidisciplinary teams. Focused on key national priorities, the teams developed startup concepts in areas such as digital government services, healthcare innovation, smart cities, cybersecurity, and digital inclusion for low-income households.
From Concept to Application
A core objective of the hackathon was to bridge the gap between academia and industry. Participants were guided by a roster of academic mentors and industry experts who provided critical feedback on feasibility, market relevance, and scalability. This hands-on approach ensured that the projects developed were not merely theoretical but had a clear path toward potential implementation.
Winning Innovations Emerge
The competition culminated in the selection of three standout projects poised for further development. The first-place prize was awarded to Nudhum, a smart analytics platform designed to convert existing system data into actionable insights without requiring complex and costly system migrations.
Rasid secured second place with its AI-powered, real-time monitoring solution for detecting unauthorized objects in critical and restricted areas. In third place, EnviroSense presented an innovative indoor air quality system that utilizes algae to convert carbon dioxide into oxygen, offering a sustainable solution for emergency situations.
A Strategic Partnership for National Growth
This hackathon is a key component of a wider strategic partnership between Vodafone Oman and SQU aimed at enhancing the Sultanate’s digital capabilities. The collaboration extends beyond one-off events and includes long-term commitments such as sponsoring a PhD scholarship in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. The partnership is focused on creating a sustainable pipeline for translating academic research into practical solutions that benefit both industry and society.
About the Vodafone and SQU Partnership
The collaboration between Vodafone Oman and Sultan Qaboos University is a strategic initiative focused on fostering a robust digital ecosystem in Oman. By uniting corporate resources with academic excellence, the partnership aims to develop national talent, drive innovation, and create tangible technological solutions that align with Oman’s long-term vision for a digitally empowered future.
Source: MEA TechWatch
