Dhofar’s ‘Govern It Smart’ Hackathon Finale: A Catalyst for Innovation and Investment Opportunities in Oman’s Tech Sector
صلاله: The State Audit Institution (SAI), in collaboration with Dhofar Municipality, successfully wrapped up the ‘Govern It Smart’ hackathon on Wednesday. The event, held at the Sultan Qaboos Youth Complex for Culture and Entertainment in Salalah, spanned 48 hours of intensive competition.
The hackathon attracted young Omanis, entrepreneurs, and technology enthusiasts who focused on developing digital solutions aimed at enhancing governance and transparency in managing investments at the governorate level.
The closing ceremony was officiated by Mahmoud bin Abdullah al Owaini, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Finance, with the presence of Zahra bint Mohammed Redha al Lawatiyah, Deputy President for Oversight of Authorities, Investments, and Companies at SAI, along with other officials and specialists.
A total of 360 applications were submitted, leading to 65 participants forming 14 teams that worked on practical, scalable tools to support the governance of investment projects across Oman’s governorates. These teams received close mentorship, while a panel of experts evaluated their projects based on clear and transparent criteria.
During the finale, the following awards were presented:
- First Place: Yadoom
- Second Place: Maddad
- Third Place: Nafithoon
Additionally, two special awards were announced: Best Programmer was awarded to Shihab al Jabri, and the Most Innovative Idea went to Maak.
Salem bin Mohsin al Ghassani, Director of the Training & Development Centre at SAI, remarked on the event’s outcomes: “Governance of investments is a pivotal agenda, and we hope these results will translate into achievements that reflect the nation’s ambitions. We witnessed remarkable passion and commitment from participants, as well as their tireless efforts to produce work that meets our expectations. Everyone here is a winner; this is not a finish line but a launchpad for future stages.”
Organizers indicated that the winning initiatives will be further developed in collaboration with relevant entities to ensure their transition into implementable solutions, maximizing benefits and creating a lasting impact.
This event is in line with Oman’s decentralization framework established by Royal Decree No 36/2022 and supports the national priorities of Oman Vision 2040, which emphasizes integrity, transparency, accountability, and a stronger local administration alongside enhanced community participation.
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The conclusion of the ‘Govern It Smart’ hackathon exemplifies a transformative shift towards enhanced governance and transparency in Oman’s investment landscape. For businesses, this bodes well as it opens up opportunities for innovation and collaboration with tech startups aiming to develop scalable solutions for local governance, thereby driving رشد اقتصادیسرمایهگذاران و کارآفرینان هوشمند باید روی موارد زیر تمرکز کنند: partnering with local talents and leveraging these digital initiatives to align with Oman’s Vision 2040, ensuring they stay ahead in a rapidly evolving market.
