Vodafone Oman, in collaboration with the Innovation and Technology Transfer Centre at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), has concluded a three-day digital innovation hackathon aimed at developing practical and deployable solutions aligned with Oman’s national digital transformation priorities. The initiative brought together academia and industry to move beyond concept-driven competition toward real-world application.
The hackathon attracted 121 participants, including university students, early-career professionals, and technology practitioners, who worked in multidisciplinary teams. Participants developed startup ideas across key focus areas such as digital government services, healthcare innovation, smart cities, cybersecurity, and digital solutions supporting low-income households. Teams were guided by academic mentors and industry experts to ensure feasibility, relevance, and scalability.
Three standout projects were selected for further exploration. First place went to Nudhum, a smart analytics platform that transforms existing system data into actionable insights without requiring system migration. Rasid secured second place with an AI-powered real-time monitoring solution for detecting unauthorized objects in critical areas, while EnviroSense placed third with an innovative indoor air quality system using algae to convert carbon dioxide into oxygen during emergencies.
The hackathon forms part of a broader strategic partnership between Vodafone Oman and SQU focused on strengthening national digital capabilities. The collaboration includes sponsoring a PhD scholarship in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, as well as joint initiatives to translate academic research into practical solutions for industry and society.
