First Inter-School Hackathon Tackles Oman Vision 2040 Challenges: What It Means for Innovation and Business Growth in Oman
Oman’s Inaugural Inter-School Hackathon to Address Vision 2040 Challenges
MUSCAT: Oman is set to host its first inter-school hackathon, focused on addressing key challenges aligned with Oman Vision 2040. The event, titled Youth Innovate 2026, will take place on Sunday, January 25, at Al Raneem International School in Al Amerat. It is organised by the RIPS Hack Club, an affiliate of the international non-profit Hack Club network that supports student-led coding and innovation initiatives globally.
Youth Innovate 2026 is a one-day event where students will develop and pitch innovative solutions—in the form of apps, websites, or games—to a panel of judges. Led entirely by a student committee from the RIPS Hack Club, the hackathon invites participants to tackle nationally significant themes including promoting sustainability, youth empowerment, cultural heritage, and economic growth as outlined in Oman Vision 2040.
Alisha Afaq Ali, chief organiser, explained that the event focuses on real, local challenges derived from national priorities. “It’s about designing solutions to local problems identified from Oman Vision 2040,” she said. The hackathon is open to students across the Sultanate from Grade 6 to 12, with the possibility of including exceptional younger students. Early engagement from schools has been promising, with positive responses from eight major schools so far.
Mostafa Saudi, Head of Academics at Al Raneem International School and supervisor of the RIPS Hack Club, highlighted the event’s emphasis on applied learning and youth leadership. “Youth Innovate 2026 offers young people a genuine platform to think critically, collaborate, and design solutions to real-world issues,” he said. He added that the Hack Club students are the visionaries and organisers behind the event, with the school providing support and guidance.
Saudi also underlined the importance of linking the hackathon’s challenges to Oman Vision 2040, stating, “We want students to understand that innovation is most powerful when it is rooted in national priorities and real societal needs.” This alignment fosters a strong sense of civic responsibility and purpose among participants, as they see how their creativity and skills can contribute to Oman’s future in sustainability, technology, education, and economic development.
Looking ahead, Youth Innovate is intended to become an annual platform that nurtures student-led innovation across the country. Saudi shared, “Our vision is for this to grow each year, expanding participation to create a network of young innovators who collaborate and learn from each other.” The goal is to establish Youth Innovate as a national model for youth-driven innovation, where students lead, schools support, and ideas shape the future of Oman.
Registrations for Youth Innovate 2026 remain open. Interested students can apply via the following link: https://forms.gle/3EYjE4pbjazcuaXeA.
Special Analysis by Omanet | Navigate Oman’s Market
Oman’s first inter-school hackathon aligned with Oman Vision 2040 highlights a strategic investment in youth-driven innovation targeting sustainability, economic growth, and cultural preservation. For businesses and investors, this presents a unique opportunity to engage with emerging talent and new tech solutions rooted in national priorities, fostering long-term growth aligned with the country’s vision. Smart entrepreneurs should consider collaborating with educational initiatives and leveraging fresh ideas from youth-led projects to stay ahead in Oman’s evolving market landscape.
