Muscat – The University of Technology and Applied Sciences on Saturday kicked off the NASA Space Apps hackathon, titled ‘The Sun Touches Everything’, in Bidiyah, North Sharqiyah.
The two-day event is being held in strategic partnership with NASA, the Office of the Governor of North Sharqiyah, and the United States Embassy in Oman.
The opening ceremony was held under the patronage of H H Sayyid Dr Faris bin Turki al Said, with Mahmoud bin Yahya al Dhahli, Governor of North Sharqiyah, in attendance, alongside dignitaries and personalities from the fields of science and space.
Said bin Hamad al Rubaii, UTAS Vice Chancellor, highlighted the importance of strategic partnerships between the university and public and private sector institutions, including international scientific and research bodies. These collaborations offer students opportunities to exchange ideas, build skills, and foster creativity, all contributing to sustainable development, he added.
Rubaii noted that the university’s partnership with NASA is a testament to bringing together minds with a shared passion for space, and he expressed hope that this cooperation would continue to grow in alignment with Oman Vision 2040.
H E Ana Escrogima, US Ambassador to Oman, echoed these sentiments, stating that Oman’s focus on science and technology, including its National Space Programme, reflects its dedication to inspiring the next generation of scientists. She underlined the value of collaboration between Oman and the United States in space sciences in this regard.
H E Ana announced that the US Embassy would sponsor a scientific visit to the US for nine members of the participating teams, where they will visit NASA’s Houston Center in Texas and the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Over 75 teams, including students from higher education institutions, researchers and community groups, are participating in this second edition of the NASA Space Apps hackathon in Oman.
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