Vodafone Oman and SQU Conclude Hackathon with a Focus on Applied Digital Transformation
The partnership includes the sponsorship of a PhD scholarship in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, in addition to joint initiatives aimed at translating academic research into practical use cases for industry and society.
Vodafone Oman, in collaboration with the Innovation and Technology Transfer Centre at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), has successfully concluded a three-day digital innovation hackathon designed to move beyond competition, with a focus on practical, deployable ideas aligned with Oman’s national digital transformation strategies.
The hackathon brought together 121 participants from across the Sultanate, including university students, early-career professionals, and technology practitioners. Working in multidisciplinary teams, participants developed innovative start-up ideas across key focus areas, including digital government services, healthcare innovation, smart cities, cybersecurity, and digital solutions to support low-income households.
“The hackathon was designed to push participants towards solution-oriented thinking, combining technical feasibility, societal relevance, and scalability. Over three intensive days, teams refined ideas through guided mentorship from academic specialists and industry experts, resulting in a set of concepts positioned for further development rather than one-off demonstration.”
– Sayyid Fahad Al Busaidi, Chief Corporate Affairs, Vodafone Oman
At the conclusion of the programme, three standout ideas were chosen for further exploration and potential development support through government and private entities. Taking home first prize was Nudhum, a smart platform that turns existing system data into actionable insights which saves time, reduces complexity, and enables better decision-making without changing or migrating systems. The second place went to Rasid, an AI-powered real-time monitoring system that detects unauthorised objects in critical areas to enhance safety and reduce operational risks. While third place went to EnviroSense, a smart indoor air quality monitor for vehicles and elevators that uses algae to convert carbon dioxide into oxygen in emergencies.
The hackathon is part of a broader strategic partnership between Vodafone Oman and Sultan Qaboos University focused on strengthening national digital capabilities through research, talent development, and applied innovation. The partnership includes the sponsorship of a PhD scholarship in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, in addition to joint initiatives aimed at translating academic research into practical use cases for industry and society.
