Muscat – Three projects from Oman have qualified for the Falling Walls Lab global finale in Berlin after competing in the tenth edition of the Falling Walls Lab National Competition held recently at Modern College of Commerce and Science.

Project ‘Treating Cancer Using Bacteria’ by Tifa Obaid al Qaydi won first place. ‘Ilmify’ by Baraa bint Yusuf al Awfiya secured second, while ‘Quantum Mechanics in Carbon Nanotube Converters’ by Al Haitham bin Muhammad al Kalbani came third.

Falling Walls Lab is a pitch competition where students and early-career professionals present breakthrough ideas in just three minutes. Finalists from around the world will gather in Berlin on November 6 to showcase their projects.

The closing ceremony in Muscat on Tuesday was held under the patronage of H E Dr Saif bin Abdullah al Hadabi, Undersecretary in Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation. He said such competitions play a vital role in supporting Omani researchers, enabling them to present their innovations, and creating links between emerging talents and international experts.

According to the ministry, the competition seeks to discover and support promising researchers, encourage multidisciplinary collaboration and foster sustainable scientific networks. It is open to students, academics, entrepreneurs, public and private sector employees, and job seekers across Oman.

Ali bin Abdullah al Maskari, Director of Department of Research and Innovation Capacity Building at the ministry, said the tenth edition in Oman drew 158 participants, the highest number in any country among more than 80 participating worldwide. Of these, 24 ideas reached the final round, evaluated by a panel of five academic and research experts.

Maskari added that projects were judged on their significance, originality and relevance, in addition to the clarity and persuasiveness of the presentation.

Falling Walls Lab is recognised as a global forum for innovative ideas, research and entrepreneurship aiming to connect researchers, academics and entrepreneurs across different fields.