Muscat – Three young Omanis are set to make their debut on the world stage after qualifying for the finals of the Adobe Certified Professional World Championship, one of the world’s leading competitions for digital design talent. The global finals, scheduled to take place in the United States in July, will bring together top young designers from more than 80 countries.

Oman’s representatives earned their places following a nationwide competition that attracted 814 students from schools and higher education institutions across the sultanate. After several rounds of technical and practical assessments, nine finalists were shortlisted, with Shaikha Mohammed Al Yafie of Sultan Qaboos University securing first place nationally. Firas Ahmed Al Nuaimi from Scientific College of Design finished second, while Shahm Rashid Al Shabibi, also from Scientific College of Design, claimed third.

Shaikha described the championship as a unique opportunity for young Omanis to showcase their creativity and culture on a global platform. She said her winning project combined contemporary digital techniques with elements inspired by Omani heritage, including architectural motifs, traditional patterns and colours drawn from the local environment.

She added that while artificial intelligence is becoming an increasingly powerful tool for designers, creativity and artistic vision remain firmly in human hands. According to her, AI can accelerate workflows and support idea generation, but cannot replace original thinking and creative expression.

Al Nuaimi said his participation was driven by a desire to challenge himself and test his abilities against talented designers from around the world. He noted that the competition strengthened his technical skills and taught him how to work effectively under pressure, transforming challenges into opportunities for innovation.

For Al Shabibi, successful design lies in simplicity and clear communication. He stressed the importance of balancing aesthetics and functionality, while also highlighting the value of exchanging ideas and learning from fellow designers throughout the competition.

Haneen Shamis Al Wadhahi, the championship’s lead supervisor, said the three finalists will undergo an intensive training camp throughout June to prepare for the international finals. The programme will focus on professional design skills, project execution, time management and adapting to the demands of global competition.

She added that the achievement reflects the growing strength of Omani talent in digital creativity and design, and underscores the country’s ability to compete successfully on the international stage.