Projects shortlisted for "Falling Walls Lab" forum in Berlin announced

Muscat: The Research and Innovation Authority today announced the projects shortlisted to represent the Sultanate of Oman in the global finals of the "Falling Walls Lab" Forum, scheduled to take place in Berlin, Germany, from 5 to 9 November 2026.

The announcement came at the conclusion of the final qualifying round of the competition in its eleventh edition, hosted by the University of Nizwa under the patronage of Dr. Saif Abdullah Al Haddabi, Chairman of the Research and Innovation Authority, and in the presence of Professor Dr. Ahmed Khalfan Al Rawahi, President of the University of Nizwa, with broad participation from researchers and innovators representing various academic and research institutions across the Sultanate of Oman.

Innovator Abdullah Mohammed Al Alawi secured first place for his project entitled "Breaking the Wall of Inequality in Medical Education Opportunities," while innovator Rayan Salim Al Sarmi achieved second place for her project "Breaking the Wall of Chemotherapy-Induced Hair Loss in Cancer Patients." Innovator Ali Ahmed Al Zadjali was awarded third place for his project "Breaking the Barrier of Circular Asphalt."

The final stage featured 20 innovators and researchers who had qualified from among 158 participants in this year's edition. Each participant delivered a three-minute presentation before a specialized judging panel comprising a select group of experts, academics, and business leaders, tasked with evaluating the innovative solutions and selecting the most promising projects to represent the Sultanate of Oman on the international stage.