Second
Annual Student Startups Forum Begins in Muscat

Muscat,
21 Jan 2026 (ONA) — The activities of the Second Annual Student Startups
Forum began today. Organized by the University of Technology and Applied
Sciences (UTAS), the forum aims to empower students and transform their
entrepreneurial ideas into sustainable projects. The event was held under the auspices
of HH Sayyid Numair Salim Al Said.

The
two-day forum, held at Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC), features
the participation of more than 30 student-led startups and 30 strategic
partners, including decision-makers and investors. This year’s edition focuses
significantly on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its role in the future of
entrepreneurship.

Dr.
Said Hamad Al Rubaii, Vice Chancellor of UTAS, stated in his speech that the
forum represents a stage of maturity in the university’s entrepreneurial path.
He noted that UTAS has transitioned from individual initiatives to an
integrated ecosystem, driven by the belief that a student is not merely a job
seeker, but a creator of opportunities, a partner in development, and a driver
of the knowledge economy.

He
added that the university has worked to empower students through a stimulating
educational environment, active business incubators, and genuine partnerships
with state institutions and the private sector. These efforts have resulted in
remarkable growth in the number of student startups and entrepreneurs, as well
as local and regional accolades. He emphasized that the forum focuses on the
sustainability of startups, linking them with investors to transform them into
competitive economic entities in line with Oman Vision 2040.

On
his part, Dr. Said Salim Jaboob, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Postgraduate
Studies, Research, and Innovation, emphasized that the forum embodies the
integration of scientific research, innovation, and entrepreneurship as a
unified system supporting the knowledge economy. He noted that UTAS works to
direct research outputs and student projects toward applied solutions capable
of evolving into startups through technical incubators and innovation programs.

Dr.
Jaboob revealed significant growth statistics for the university’s entrepreneurial
ecosystem. Student startups reached 364 companies in 2025, marking a 435%
growth compared to 2024. Student entrepreneurs reached 293, an increase of
37.6%.

He
added that the number of entrepreneurial and technical incubators rose to 9,
compared to 6 in 2024 and 3 in 2023. As many as 250 entrepreneurial training
programs were also implemented within a single year.

He
clarified that the university supported the system by funding technical
incubators with RO 183,564 and the entrepreneurship portfolio with RO 12,900.

The
forum’s activities include an exhibition of student-led startups, the launch of
a book dedicated to student startups, specialized training workshops, and
consultation and mentoring sessions to support the sustainability of these
entrepreneurial ventures.

—Ends/AG