Muscat – Al Dhahirah Governorate has initiated one of its most significant digital projects yet with the launch of the ‘Al Dhahirah Tech Innovation Hackathon,’ a three-day event focused on empowering youth to create innovative solutions to real-world challenges. Organised by the Office of the Governor and held under the patronage of Musallam bin Ahmed Al Maashani, Wali of Dhank, the hackathon is hosted at the University of Technology and Applied Sciences and has attracted over 200 participants from across Oman.
The hackathon forms a key part of Al Dhahirah’s vision to build a dynamic, inclusive digital society by bringing together university students, entrepreneurs, and technology enthusiasts to collaboratively develop solutions addressing service, environmental, and developmental challenges. This initiative underscores the governorate’s strategic emphasis on fostering innovation, enhancing digital capabilities, and actively involving youth in shaping the future of their communities.
Salem bin Ali al Mahrouqi, Director General of Administrative and Financial Affairs in Al Dhahirah Governorate and Chairman of the Hackathon’s Supervisory Committee, told the Observer that the event serves as a vital platform to advance the governorate’s digital transformation goals. “This hackathon reflects our commitment to creating a culture of innovation,” he said. “It supports youth creativity, encourages entrepreneurial thinking, and leads to scalable, incubatable solutions tailored to the needs of the local community.”
Al Mahrouqi further highlighted that digital transformation in Al Dhahirah has become a tangible reality, driven by numerous targeted initiatives integrating technology into various facets of life. “This event brings together creative minds to chart a brighter, tech-enabled future for the governorate,” he added.
The opening ceremony included a video presentation that showcased Al Dhahirah’s performance in the Digital Transformation Excellence Assessment, conducted by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology. The presentation highlighted notable progress made by the governorate, demonstrating its dedication to innovation-driven governance. It also provided key statistics such as participant demographics, accepted challenge topics, and evaluation criteria.
A panel discussion followed, featuring Eng. Othman al Mandhari, CEO of Innotech, who shared global best practices in construction automation. He emphasized the critical role of advanced technologies, such as 3D printing, in building smart and sustainable cities. Other speakers included Khalisa Al Jahwari, who discussed digital transformation’s impact on emerging economies, and Badr Al Rahbi from Doorly, who examined technology’s influence on Oman’s real estate sector.
During the hackathon, participants worked in teams to develop tech-driven solutions targeting areas such as smart government services, agriculture and water management, education, community health, and logistics. The program also featured technical workshops, mentorship sessions, and expert consultations designed to help participants refine their ideas into actionable prototypes.
A judging panel will assess the submitted solutions and award prizes to the top three teams, focusing on innovation, feasibility, and potential impact. Beyond the competition, the initiative aims to generate actionable recommendations and establish working groups to scale promising projects throughout the governorate.
