Tuesday 05 / November / 2024
Muscat: The 4th edition of Oman Science Festival 2024 themed “Sustainable Resources” kicked off at Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre today under the patronage of Dr. Hilal Ali Al Sabti, Minister of Health. Present at the opening ceremony were Dr. Madiha Ahmed Al Shibani, Minister of Education, Laila Ahmed Al Najjar, Minister of Social Development and Dr. Moosa Mohammed Al Maqrif, Minister of Education in Libya.
As many as 141 institutions are taking part in the event through showcasing their innovations in diverse fields.
Additionally, 5 international institutes namely Hungarian SKILLDICT organization, the Museum of Natural Sciences of Belgium, the European Organization for Nuclear Research ‘CERN’, the Malaysian National Gifted Centre, and Mishkat Interactive Exhibition in Saudi Arabia also take part in the festival.
Oman Science Festival 2024 includes 520 diverse activities that vary from scientific interactive workshops to scientific plays, competitions, and scientific discoveries.
The eight-day festival also includes 24 main sections highlighting Biodiversity, Smart Future, Health and Life, Wings to Space, Smart Cities, Cybernetics, Little Buds, Natural Resources, Sustainable food, Vibrant Energies, and Flourishing Science.
These sections focus on environmental awareness and sustainable future to enable students realize the importance of conserving the environment and natural resources, and instill in them values of sustainability which contribute in achieving sustainable development and hence encouraging critical thinking and innovation in facing environmental challenges.
The Military Technologies section displays advanced technologies and applications, their progress compared to older techniques. The section organizes more than 90 workshops, innovations, and multiple equipment’s used by Oman’s law enforcement.
The Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation section includes 16 inspiring success stories from the outputs of the scientific research and innovation projects. The section showcases two stories each day of the festival’s days, in addition to scientific innovations featuring the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and Virtual Reality (VR).
On the stage of Ibn Omaira Theatre, the Mishkat interactive exhibition participates with scientific performances (Fun Sciences) that focus on energy science, forms, and sustainable resources through showcasing a spaceship that needs different energy resources.
Dr. Moosa Al Maqrif, Minister of Education of Libya, who is currently visiting the Sultanate of Oman commended the interaction of students and participants in the festival’s corners, as well as the diversity of the festival’s activities.
He added that this festival is an opportunity to exchange ideas between students and academic experts. He urged students to explore the wonders of science and develop their knowledge and skills.
He stressed the importance of such events in promoting scientific culture among young people as it is an ideal platform to encourage innovation and creativity.
The chief guest toured sections of the festival during which he was briefed on their contents and activities.
