'Oman Science Festival': An Inspiring Scientific Event for Exploration Launches in Muscat with Participation from the Kuwait Foundation for Advancement of Sciences

Muscat -- The Oman Science Festival, organized by the Omani Ministry of Education to enhance scientific literacy among students, spread awareness of science, technology, and innovation, and create an interactive environment that encourages exploration and experimentation, kicked off today in Muscat with the participation of the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS). This prominent scientific event aims to contribute to developing students’ scientific thinking and creativity skills, particularly by linking scientific knowledge to practical applications in daily life.

The festival, bearing the slogan “Our Compass is Science,” will run until November 11 at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre. It features a number of specialized scientific pavilions and booths offering visitors and students interactive experiences across various scientific fields.

The Kuwait pavilion, represented by KFAS and its affiliated centers, was visited by Omani Minister of Finance Sultan Al-Habsi, in the presence of Minister of Education Dr. Madiha Al-Shaybani. During the visit, Minister Al-Habsi met with Ahd Al-Aswosi, Head of Strategic Partnerships at KFAS, and listened to a detailed explanation from KFAS staff and representatives of its centers about the pavilion’s exhibits and applied workshops.

KFAS is participating with a delegation comprising representatives from the foundation, the Science Center, the Sabah Al-Ahmad Center for Giftedness and Creativity, the Kuwait National Space Research Center, and Al-Taqaddum Scientific Publishing and Distribution Company.

Regarding the other pavilions and booths, the “Environmental Sustainability and Urban Planning” pavilion highlights innovative solutions in soil, air, water, energy, and urban planning, and their role in building a sustainable environment and enhancing quality of life. The “Environment and Biodiversity” pavilion takes visitors on a journey to explore the world of birds, camels, marine life, and plants, while introducing laboratories, fossils, and virtual reality applications.

The “Learning and Digital Transformation” pavilion offers interactive experiences that leverage artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and educational games in the fields of science, mathematics, and technology. Meanwhile, the “Climate Change” pavilion focuses on the role of science, innovation, green technologies, and renewable energy in addressing climate challenges.

The “Energy and Sustainable Technologies” pavilion provides insights into renewable energy sources, their production and management, efficiency improvements, green hydrogen, and sustainable building solutions. The “Food and Agricultural Technologies” pavilion offers diverse experiences in agriculture and food production. The “Space and Aviation” pavilion allows visitors to explore space science, astronomy, meteorology, aviation, and drones through interactive scientific experiments and applications.

According to the Omani Ministry of Education, the festival will feature a series of scientific experiments, theatrical performances, competitions, and interactive challenges that present science in engaging ways, combining learning with entertainment to stimulate imagination, the spirit of discovery, and innovation.

The festival includes more than 500 events and experimental workshops distributed across specialized pavilions covering various fields. This year, the event targets school and university students, educators, parents, scientists, and researchers. It also features international participation, with six scientific institutions from Kuwait, Switzerland, Greece, the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, and South Korea presenting specialized programs and scientific experiments in mathematics, robotics, space, sustainability, and mixed reality.

One of the international participation initiatives features the “Wonders of the Universe” program, in collaboration with the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), with scientists and experts presenting specialized topics in particle physics, astronomy, and gravitational waves. The festival, in its fifth edition, provides students with the opportunity to explore scientific and technological disciplines, as well as the academic and career pathways associated with them, discover their interests and abilities, and envision their future opportunities in the fields of science and innovation. (End) M.G.B./N.S.A.