"Mediathon" Brings Together PR Students in Creative Hackathon in Partnership with Vodafone

Yesterday saw the launch of the first activities of the student hackathon "Mediathon," which is a graduation project for Public Relations students at the University of Technology and Applied Sciences in Nizwa, in cooperation with Vodafone, in an initiative aimed at enhancing student skills and linking academia with practical application.

The hackathon witnessed the participation of six student teams, with its activities continuing over two days from April 27 to 28, 2026, amidst a distinctive competitive atmosphere in which teams sought to provide creative solutions in the field of media and public relations.

"I am pleased to welcome you all to the 'Mediathon' hackathon, which reflects the spirit of creativity and innovation among our students and embodies the importance of applied education in linking academic knowledge with the reality of the labor market. These events are not limited to highlighting student skills only, but contribute to developing their capabilities and enhancing their critical thinking and teamwork, qualifying them to keep pace with future requirements. We value the cooperation with Vodafone, which represents a supportive partner for Omani youth by empowering them, embracing their creative ideas, and providing a practical environment to apply their knowledge." — Tahani Al-Abri, Head of Mass Communication Department

The competition focused on three main challenges, through which the participants' abilities to produce innovative digital content that contributes to dealing with crises that companies may face, especially in the telecommunications sector, were measured. The closing ceremony also included a specialized debate on artificial intelligence, which showed a high level of awareness and analysis among the participating students.

The event concluded with the crowning of the third team in first place, after it managed to achieve the highest standards in the challenges posed by innovating the "Sari" package, where the team harvested valuable prizes in a step aimed at motivating students and encouraging them to be creative and excel.

"This project comes within the graduation requirements for public relations students and aims to provide a real opportunity to apply academic knowledge in a practical environment that simulates the labor market. 'Mediathon' hackathon, implemented in cooperation with Vodafone, seeks to enable students to employ their skills in producing innovative media content and enhance their ability to deal with communication challenges in light of the rapid development in the field of media." — Manar Al-Rawahi, Key Member of the Team

For his part, Khalil bin Ahmed Al-Abdali, founder of the AI Technology Academy, said: "In reality, companies are often preoccupied with their current partnerships, which may limit the space for new innovation, while students represent a breeding ground for inspiring ideas and creative projects, which can further enhance innovation when supported and empowered."

Dr. Huda Al-Balushi emphasized that: "Academic collaborations between companies, institutions, and students are no longer an added advantage, but have become an urgent necessity, as they contribute to moving specializations from the theoretical framework to practical application in the labor market."

Organizing this hackathon confirms the importance of enabling students to acquire practical skills in the field of public relations and digital media and enhancing their ability to face challenges in the future work environment.