Omantel, Oman’s senior telecommunications company, recently concluded its Extended Reality (XR) Bootcamp, an initiative aimed at developing Oman’s startup ecosystem. The five-day program, hosted by Omantel Innovation Labs, provided hands-on training in Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Mixed Reality (MR).
The event focused on equipping 37 participants with immersive tech skills to innovate across various industries, including gaming, education, and healthcare. Also, it provided participants with a deep dive into Extended Reality (XR) technologies through a series of interactive workshops and mentoring sessions.
“By offering opportunities like this, we aim to bridge the gap between emerging technologies and our talented innovators, propelling Oman into a future driven by immersive tech,” said Al Sayidda Ghada Al Said, Senior Manager, Omantel Innovation Labs.
Global Experts and Oman’s 2040 Goals
The bootcamp featured international experts, such as Jawdat Shammas, Tolgay Hickiran, and Juan Gabriel Gomila Salas, who shared their extensive experience in spatial computing and XR technologies. Participants were encouraged to explore these fields through practical workshops, creating prototype concepts under expert guidance.
Aligned with Oman’s Vision 2040, Omantel is nurturing a community of tech entrepreneurs to shape the country’s digital future. Through this bootcamp, participants gained critical skills that will help them build innovative startups.
These efforts highlight Omantel’s commitment to bridging the gap between emerging technologies and local talent, further positioning Oman as a digital innovation hub.
Key milestones included mastering the use of development tools like Unity and Unreal Engine, building functional XR prototypes, and competing in team-based challenges.
Participants also had the chance to engage directly with industry experts, presenting their projects in a final showcase event. This initiative significantly accelerated the learning curve for participants, helping them develop market-ready solutions in XR tech.
Omantel, Market Competitiveness and Digital Policy
Omantel’s XR Bootcamp aligns with Oman’s strategic digital transformation goals, enhancing the country’s competitiveness in the global tech market. By fostering local talent, Omantel is disrupting traditional industries with immersive technologies, while contributing to national policies that prioritize innovation and entrepreneurship.
If you see something out of place or would like to contribute to this story, check out our Ethics and Policy section.