Vodafone Oman has entered into a strategic collaboration with Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) to foster research and innovation, significantly contributing to the growth of Oman’s digital economy. As part of this initiative, Vodafone Oman will introduce the Vodafone Innovation Award to recognize and incentivize technological advancements aimed at solving real-world challenges. Additionally, the company will sponsor a PhD scholarship focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Digitisation, reinforcing its commitment to advancing academic research in these emerging fields.
This partnership highlights the increasing importance of industry-academia collaborations in driving technological innovation and aligning research efforts with market demands. As AI and digital transformation play a pivotal role in economic development, bridging the gap between academia and industry has become essential in shaping a workforce capable of meeting the challenges of a data-driven economy.
Bader Al Zidi, CEO of Vodafone Oman, emphasized the broader vision behind this collaboration: “Innovation goes beyond technology. It’s about empowering people, nurturing ideas, and creating the right environment to turn potential into impactful results. Our partnership with Sultan Qaboos University is a step towards creating that environment, where academic research and industry expertise converge to fuel meaningful progress. The Vodafone Innovation Award and the PhD scholarship will accelerate research in AI and emerging technologies, equipping the next generation with the skills necessary to drive Oman’s digital transformation.”
