Wednesday 03 / June / 2026
Muscat- The Research and Innovation Authority announced today the nine qualifying projects to represent the Sultanate of Oman at the 67th edition of London International Youth Science Forum (LIYSF) this year, scheduled to take place from 19 July to 1 August 1.
The following individuals have qualified: Aya Hamid Al Kindi with her project "'Hares' – An AI-Powered Anti-Money Laundering System"; Al Azhar Zahran Al Azri with "Hydrogenix"; Aiham Abdulaziz Al Manthri with a project on converting methane emissions into ectoine through a sustainable biotechnological system; and Amina Kaid Al Jabri with a project on converting sound energy into electricity using a thermoelectric model.
Also qualifying were Marthid Khalfan Al Harthy with a project developing a semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN) hydrogel as a sustainable bio-alternative to PDMS material in microfluidic chip platforms; Mohammed Abdulrahman Al Shihi with "Synapse X"; Muhanad Said Al Saqri with a health and usage monitoring system for drones; Rashid Mohammed Al Shukaili with an intelligent early leak detection system; and Tasneem Said Al Farsi with a smart cane for the blind.
Oman's participation in this international forum is part of its ongoing efforts to enhance the presence of young national talents in global scientific gatherings.
The selection of projects was based on a rigorous competitive process that included 738 innovative projects in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Following an initial screening, 30 projects that met all required scientific criteria and conditions qualified, after which they underwent final evaluation before a specialized judging panel comprising experts from the Research and Innovation Authority, the University of Nizwa, and the Military Technical College. The panel then identified the nine best projects.
Dr. Salah Somar Al Zadjali, acting Director General of Programs and Capacity Building at the Research and Innovation Authority, stated that these participations are part of efforts to develop and enhance the quality of innovation programs, thereby contributing to strengthening national outputs and aligning them with the targets of Oman Vision 2040, particularly the priority of education, learning, research, and national capabilities.
He added that the Directorate General of Programs and Capacity Building continues to fulfill its strategic role in preparing a generation of Omani researchers capable of competing globally by implementing specialized capacity-building programs that help bridge the knowledge gap and empower youth in the fields of STEM.
He noted that London International Youth Science Forum has witnessed continuous growth in Omani participation since its inception in 2016, having attracted 1,167 student projects to date, with 48 male and female students participating, while the number of competitors for qualification in its various editions has exceeded 200 male and female students.
He affirmed that these indicators reflect the growing interest in research and innovation among students, as well as the success of national programs in discovering and refining scientific talent. He pointed out that Omani competencies have achieved a notable presence internationally, having secured positions among the top 13 projects worldwide at the forum in 2025.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Brigadier Ahmed Khalfan Al Hadidi, Dean of the Military Technical College and patron of the event, honored the nine projects qualified to participate in London International Youth Science Forum.
It is worth noting that the qualifying projects reflect the level of innovation and excellence demonstrated by Omani youth across various scientific and technical fields, as they prepare to represent the Sultanate of Oman at this international forum.
