Oman AI-enhanced drone contest concludes at SQU

MUSCAT: The second edition of the Oman AI-Enhanced Drone Competition concluded at the Cultural Centre of Sultan Qaboos University under the auspices of Eng Said bin Hamoud al Maawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, and in the presence of HH Sayyid Dr Fahd bin Al Julanda al Said, Vice-Chancellor of SQU, along with senior officials, academics and industry representatives.
Launched in June 2025, the programme ran through February 2026, culminating in final rounds held at the Grand Hall across two tracks: manual remote-control and AI-enhanced autonomous control.
The closing ceremony featured an educational and entertainment exhibition with the participation of nine local companies specialising in drone technologies, artificial intelligence and 3D printing.
Highlights included a drone photography showcase, an FPV pilots’ challenge, prize draws for drones, short theatrical performances, and film screenings combining drone cinematography with AI applications. Winners and sponsors were honoured during the ceremony.
The competition forms part of national efforts to raise awareness about the applications and economic potential of drone technologies, empower Omani youth to develop innovative technological solutions, and support the creation of a promising market with new employment opportunities. Participants received both theoretical and practical training in drone construction, calibration, operation and programming, as well as in integrating AI technologies for autonomous flight — preparing them for regional and international competitions.

The second edition attracted 120 competitors from more than 15 local and international universities, selected from hundreds of applicants across diverse academic disciplines.
Training was delivered in two phases. The first phase, conducted between June and September 2025, involved six cohorts of 20 participants each, with over 15 hours of intensive training per participant. Workshops covered drone fundamentals, regulatory frameworks, design and assembly, safety requirements and piloting skills in virtual, laboratory and open-field environments.
The second phase, held in December 2025, selected the top 40 participants for advanced workshops in artificial intelligence and computer vision systems, featuring 15 additional hours of specialised training. Virtual environments developed by the organising team enabled participants to design and test autonomous flight algorithms prior to practical implementation.
In mid-January 2026, intensive boot camps and qualification rounds began. In the remote-control track, 30 participants advanced to the first stage, narrowing to 10 finalists. In the AI-enhanced track, 20 participants initially qualified, with 10 reaching the final stage.
Across its editions, the programme has generated measurable impact, including the establishment of start-ups by participants, employment opportunities and engagement in training within the drone and AI sectors.
The initiative is implemented by the College of Engineering, SQU in partnership with the MoTCIT as part of the National Initiative for Digital Competencies (Makeen).
It receives technical support from the Civil Aviation Authority and funding from Ithca Group, Sohar Port and Freezone, Petroleum Development Oman and Ibn Firnas Company, with creative sponsorship from Zamakan.