Winners announced at Sohar University; projects include innovations in water filtration, dental materials, and remote control technology

Muscat – The Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation has announced the selection of three young Omani innovators who will represent the Sultanate of Oman at the International Invention, Innovation and Technology Exhibition (ITEX 2025), scheduled to take place from May 29 to 31 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre in Malaysia.

The selected finalists are Yusra bint Yousef al Ghadani for her innovation titled ‘Squid Ink Water Filter Project’, Malak bint Khalifa al Harthi for her project ‘Portland Cement Composite Reinforced with Carbon Nanoplates as Dental Filling’, and Badr bin Salim al Muqbali for his invention ‘Remote Control Device for Operating a Ring Bonding Unit’.

The announcement was made during a ceremony at Sohar University, held under the patronage of H E Mohammed bin Sulaiman al Kindi, Governor of North Batinah.

Amna bint Ali al Siyabi, Research and Innovation Capacity Building Specialist at the Ministry, stated that ITEX is among the most prominent international platforms for innovation, offering young inventors the opportunity to develop their projects, engage with their peers from around the world, and present their ideas to investors and industry experts across diverse sectors such as medicine, agriculture, biotechnology, construction, and energy.

She explained that the Ministry received 59 applications for this year’s edition, from which 20 innovative projects were shortlisted and evaluated by a specialised jury. The top three were then selected to represent Oman based on their creativity, feasibility, and potential global impact.

Siyabi emphasised the Ministry’s commitment to supporting Omani youth and encouraging a shift towards a knowledge-based economy. She highlighted the importance of international participation in helping young innovators turn their ideas into viable start-ups that bring added value to the national economy.

ITEX is an annual exhibition known as the Inventions and Innovations Market. It attracts participants from over 20 countries in Asia and Europe and showcases more than 1,000 inventions across various categories. The event serves as a vital hub for inventors, investors, entrepreneurs, and experts to share ideas, secure funding, and promote technological advancement on a global scale.