العربية
Sohar University organized the InnovateX event on Wednesday morning, 21 January 2026, under the theme “Where Innovation Starts”, at the university campus. The event witnessed wide academic, student, and institutional participation and was held under the patronage of H.E. Abdullah bin Ali Al Balushi, Member of the Shura Council, with the attendance of several officials and experts in research, innovation, and entrepreneurship. The event was supported technically by Omantel.
The event aimed to highlight the innovation ecosystem at Sohar University and strengthen the role of scientific research in supporting the knowledge-based economy, in addition to linking innovative ideas with the industrial sector and transforming them into projects and startup companies that contribute to sustainable development. The event was attended by several government and private institutions in the Sultanate, including the Ministry of Education, Oman Vision 2040 Implementation Follow-up Unit, Modern College of Business and Science, Arab Open University, University of Technology and Applied Sciences – Shinas and Sohar branches, Al Khaboura Vocational College, and Saham Vocational College.
The InnovateX program included a Research and Innovation Video, along with panel discussions and specialized talks addressing support for industrial innovation and the role of the Industrial Innovation Academy in transforming innovative ideas into startup companies. The program also featured presentations by teams qualified for Sohar University’s innovation competitions, followed by the announcement of winners and an appreciation ceremony.
The “Aqdar” team won first place in the Sohar University Innovation Competition in Artificial Intelligence for Language and Educational Innovation, while Rewater secured first place in the Sohar University Innovation Competition in Plastic Recycling. In addition, SENSEGLASSES won first place in the Sohar University Innovation Competition in Smart Systems Development.
In his opening speech, Prof. Ghassan Al Kindi, Pro. Vice Chancellor for Research & Innovation at Sohar University, stated:
“At Sohar University, we believe that today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders, and that supporting ideas at their early stages is an investment in people, in their nation, and in their ability to contribute effectively to sustainable development. Innovation initiatives and entrepreneurial competitions are designed to be spaces for experimentation, learning, and self-discovery before being arenas of competition. We are pleased to witness today this constructive synergy between the university and the industrial sector, as we firmly believe that effective partnerships are the true bridge that transforms innovation from an idea into a product, and from a student project into a national success story”.
The event also featured a Students’ Research and Innovation Exhibition, showcasing 25 research projects in the fields of engineering, computer science and information technology, business administration, and linguistic studies. In addition, a Student-led Startup Exhibition for Higher Education Institutions was held, featuring 13 higher education institutions, including the University of Technology and Applied Sciences – Shinas and Sohar branches, and Al Khaboura and Saham Vocational Colleges. Bank Muscat also participated in the exhibition.
Furthermore, specialized workshops were organized on Venture Capital and the Finance of Innovation, delivered by Dr. Erdem Dereli, Founder and Chairman of the Entrepreneurship Expert Network – Turkey.
InnovateX comes as part of Sohar University’s ongoing efforts to promote innovation, support students and researchers, and build effective partnerships with the industrial and technological sectors, in line with the university’s strategic direction in research, innovation, and entrepreneurship.