Young innovators shine at 'Falling Walls Lab' finals

MUSCAT, AUG 26
The Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation organised the national finals of the Falling Walls Lab – Oman, under the auspices of Dr Saif bin Abdullah al Haddabi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation for Research and Innovation. The event, hosted at the Modern College of Business and Science, brought together some of the brightest young minds from across Oman to present their groundbreaking ideas.
Now in its 10th edition, the competition witnessed a record-breaking participation, with 158 contestants from Oman — the highest number among more than 80 participating countries worldwide. Out of these, 82 projects and ideas advanced to the initial evaluation round, before being shortlisted to 24 finalists who competed in the grand finale before a jury panel of five academic and research experts.
At the close of the competition, the jury announced three national winners: Taif al Qaidi – First Place, Baraah al Aufi – Second Place, Al Haitham al Kalbani – Third Place. All the winners will go on to represent the Sultanate of Oman at the Falling Walls Lab Global Forum in Berlin later this year, where they will showcase their ideas on an international stage alongside innovators, scientists and entrepreneurs from around the world.
The Falling Walls Lab is a renowned global forum designed to highlight innovative ideas, scientific research and entrepreneurial projects across diverse fields. Inspired by the symbolism of the fall of the Berlin Wall, the competition embodies the transformative power of science and knowledge in breaking down barriers between nations and moving ideas out of laboratories into society.
The competition is open to a broad spectrum of participants, including university and college students, academics, researchers, entrepreneurs, government and private sector employees, as well as job-seekers from across Oman.
On the occasion, Dr Al Haddabi praised the exceptional participation this year, noting that Oman’s youth continue to demonstrate creativity, ambition, and a strong capacity to contribute to global innovation. 'This platform is more than a competition — it is an opportunity to inspire a new generation of thinkers and innovators who will play a vital role in shaping the future,” he said.
The winners also shared their reflections. Taif, who secured first place, expressed pride in representing Oman at the global forum in Berlin: “It is an honour to carry forward an Omani idea to the world stage. The experience has motivated me to further develop my project and to build networks with other innovators internationally.”
Similarly, Baraah described the competition as a life-changing opportunity: “In three minutes, I was able to present years of work and passion. The exposure and feedback are invaluable, and I am excited to represent Oman at such a prestigious global event.” With this milestone, Oman continues to reinforce its position as an emerging hub for innovation and scientific excellence. By achieving the highest number of participants among all competing countries this year, Oman has not only demonstrated the strength of its innovation ecosystem, but also highlighted the enthusiasm and determination of its youth to engage globally.
The Falling Walls Lab – Oman stands as a testament to the country’s commitment to supporting research, fostering entrepreneurship, and encouraging young talent to push boundaries and break down barriers — in line with the competition’s central message: a world without walls for science and knowledge.