العربية
On Wednesday, January 22, 2025, Sohar University hosted the Innovatex event on its campus under the theme “Where Innovation Begins”. The event brought together innovations, innovators, experts, and enthusiasts in the field, aiming to highlight scientific and research innovations across various disciplines.
The event was under the patronage of His Excellency Khalid bin Sultan Al-Jabri, Member of the Shura Council, in the presence of the university’s VC, experts, and researchers from within and outside the university.
The event began with an opening presentation by Professor Ghassan Al-Kindi, Pro Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation, who highlighted the Sultanate’s commitment to innovation, scientific research, and artificial intelligence as key drivers of development. He also emphasized the importance of these efforts within the university’s five-year strategic plan (2023-2028). Professor Al-Kindi outlined the university’s key research achievements and advisory contributions, stressing that the university’s research groups align with Oman Vision 2040’s national priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals.
This was followed by remarks from His Excellency Musa Farhang, the Iranian Ambassador, delivered on his behalf by the embassy’s cultural attaché, Mr. Morteza Babki. He commended Sohar University’s efforts and the existing collaboration between the two parties, while also discussing future opportunities for cooperation in various fields. His Excellency also praised the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation for its role in fostering partnerships.
In his speech, Engineer Abdullah Al-Rawahi, CEO of Al-Suwadi Power Company, stated:
“Knowledge and innovation are the foundations of the progress of nations. Countries and societies consistently encourage their youth to acquire diverse knowledge and engage in creative endeavors to compete globally. This has led to advancements in societies, the emergence of numerous industries, and unprecedented levels of human well-being.”
He emphasized the role of his companies, Al-Batinah Power and Al-Suwadi Power, in supporting social initiatives that inspire students to channel their creativity into sustainable solutions. Based on this commitment, the companies, in collaboration with Sohar University, launched the “Innovation Challenge: Towards Sustainable Energy” competition to address operational challenges in power plants with innovative solutions.
Ameera Al-Balushi, Program Manager at the Youth Center, also delivered a speech, noting:
“The world today is driven by innovation and advanced technologies, with applications like ChatGPT becoming integral to our daily lives. These tools enhance creativity and productivity while complementing human thought processes. In Oman, we are transforming these global trends into opportunities by empowering youth to be change-makers and leaders in sustainable and technological fields.”
The event included a summary presentation by the Knowledge Transfer and Incubation Center at the university, along with success stories from notable figures such as Engineer Othman Al-Mandhari, CEO of INNOTECH, and Mr. Jasim Al-Balushi, CEO of Ankaa Innovations.
A highlight of the event was the announcement of winners for the “Innovation Challenge: Towards Sustainable Energy”, sponsored by Al-Suwadi Power and Al-Batinah Power. The winners were: First Place, Hajar Al-Hashemi (OMR 2,000). The Second Place, Nasser Al-Hadidi (OMR 1,500). And the third Place, Anwar Al-Hosni (OMR 1,000). The competition was judged by experts, including Engineer Abdullah Al-Rawahi, Engineer Saud Al-Waeli, and faculty members from the Sohar University faculty of Engineering.
On the sidelines, partnership agreements were signed between Sohar University and key entities, including Otaxy Company, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning, and Amirkabir University of Technology. These agreements aim to foster mutual collaboration.
The event featured an exhibition showcasing student research and innovations across engineering, languages, IT, and business. There were also displays of innovative products from the Islamic Republic of Iran, as well as contributions from startups involving students from Al-Khaboura Vocational College, the University of Technology and Applied Sciences in Sohar, and others.
“Innovatex: Where Innovation Begins” reflects Sohar University’s commitment to advancing research excellence and promoting a culture of innovation in line with its strategic goals for sustainable development and community service.