Muscat: The hackathon marks the culmination of a registration phase that ran from January 4 to 11, attracting wide interest from across the Sultanate of Oman. The names of teams qualifying for the competition are set to be announced between January 20 and 22.

Designed as an inclusive and interactive platform, the first Samail Environmental Hackathon targets a broad spectrum of society, including school and university students, job seekers, entrepreneurs and individuals interested in environmental and green economic issues. The initiative seeks to transform pressing environmental challenges into innovative development opportunities that support a sustainable and livable future in the Wilayat of Samail.

The hackathon is built around two main pillars that collectively address the environmental, social and economic dimensions of sustainability. The first pillar focuses on designing a sustainable ecotourism model using Surur Oasis as a case study. Participants are tasked with developing concepts that balance the protection of natural resources with economic growth, while promoting local content, community participation and green tourism practices.

The second pillar tackles the environmental and social challenges arising from the dense spread of the Rawgh plant in Samail’s valleys. The issue has led to the narrowing of valleys, increased fire risks, and the proliferation of pests and rodents, compounded by the absence of sustainable management or utilisation solutions, despite its growing impact on environmental balance and public safety.

Dr Hamad bin Hamoud Al-Nadabi, general supervisor of the hackathon, said the initiative emerged from the Samail Initiative for Environment and Sustainable Development, marking its first major project. He stressed that the hackathon reflects a firm belief in the importance of community involvement in developing practical, locally driven solutions to environmental challenges.

He added that the platform brings together researchers, youth, innovation leaders and civil society organisations, with the aim of turning environmental concerns into development opportunities that support environmental, economic and social sustainability in Samail.

According to Al-Nadabi, the hackathon has seen remarkable engagement from across the country, with more than 140 teams registering to compete across its two tracks. He noted that this strong response highlights growing public awareness of environmental issues and the role of innovation in addressing them, while also demonstrating the success of the initiative in fostering community participation and effective partnerships.