Oman Science Festival opens its fifth edition

MUSCAT, NOV 2
The fifth edition of the Oman Science Festival opened on Monday at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC), under the theme ‘Our Compass is Science’, with the aim of promoting scientific awareness, encouraging innovation and inspiring young people to explore future fields of science and technology. The festival was inaugurated under the auspices of Sultan bin Salim al Habsi, Minister of Finance, in the presence of Dr Madeeha bint Ahmed al Shaibani, Minister of Education, along with senior officials, representatives of supporting organisations, chief executives and participants from various public and private sector institutions.
Running until November 11, the festival features the participation of six international institutions and a wide range of national organisations specialising in science, education and technology. It offers more than 570 scientific and educational activities, workshops and interactive experiences distributed across 22 specialised pavilions and platforms.
Range of Fields
The festival covers a broad range of scientific and technological disciplines, reflecting the rapid developments taking place across various fields. Its 22 specialised pavilions explore emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and future technologies, alongside sustainability and environmental issues such as climate change, biodiversity, renewable energy and urban planning. Other themes include health and life sciences, food and agricultural technologies, natural resources, and education and innovation. The programme also features Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), intellectual property, digital transformation, a scientific innovation exhibition, as well as military and security technologies.
Through its diverse programme, the festival seeks to equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed to engage with emerging technologies and adapt to digital transformation. It also aims to strengthen cooperation between educational and research institutions and industrial sectors, facilitating the exchange of expertise and supporting innovation and sustainable development.
Global Experiences
International participation is a key feature of this year’s edition, with six institutions presenting interactive scientific activities through the ‘Wonders of the Universe’ and ‘Bridges of Science’ pavilions. The programme includes specialised workshops covering modern physics, space science, gravitational waves, particle physics, astrophotography and contemporary scientific applications. Visitors can also explore advanced experiences in mathematics, robotics and mixed reality, offering opportunities to discover innovative applications and technologies shaping the future.

The festival brings together government institutions, including civilian and military entities, universities, colleges and private sector companies, highlighting the importance of institutional partnerships in advancing scientific knowledge and expanding opportunities for collaboration.
Interactive performances and scientific challenges form another important part of the festival programme through the Ahmed bin Majid Theatre, which presents a series of educational shows, experiments, competitions and challenges designed to combine learning with entertainment.
The activities cover a range of subjects, including cybersecurity, space science and emerging technologies, encouraging visitors to engage directly with scientific concepts. Said bin Juma al Battashi, Head of the Social and Voluntary Activities Section and supervisor of the Ahmed bin Majid Theatre, said the theatre offers a variety of scientific performances and experiments aimed at engaging visitors and making the festival’s scientific content both enjoyable and accessible. He noted that the programme also includes competitions and challenges covering different scientific disciplines, particularly cybersecurity, space science and modern technologies. “Our aim is to deliver the message of the festival by making science an inspiring and motivating force for Omani citizens, while opening new horizons and opportunities that contribute to scientific innovation and support the objectives of Oman Vision 2040,” Al Battashi said.
The festival targets a wide audience, including school and university students, educators, parents, scientists and researchers, providing a platform for knowledge exchange, practical learning and the discovery of scientific interests and talents. Participants highlighted the importance of interactive activities in encouraging young people to explore scientific disciplines and connect theoretical knowledge with real-world applications.
One participant, Rashid bin Mohammed al Meqbali , said the festival provides an important opportunity to transform scientific knowledge from theory into practical experience, particularly for school students. He noted that interactive demonstrations help make science more accessible and enjoyable, while encouraging students to develop curiosity, critical thinking and innovative ideas.
The festival’s growing popularity is reflected in the attendance figures recorded over its previous editions, which attracted more than 840,000 visitors in total. The fourth edition also saw the participation of more than 140 institutions representing various sectors, demonstrating the expanding role of the event in strengthening community engagement and institutional cooperation.
Through its fifth edition, the Oman Science Festival continues to promote scientific literacy, encourage students to pursue science-related disciplines and support research and innovation. By bringing together educational institutions, researchers, industry representatives and the wider community, the festival seeks to nurture a generation equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to keep pace with technological developments and contribute to the Sultanate of Oman’s future development.