Tuesday 10 / March / 2026
Muscat: The Science Café, an initiative organised by the Research and Innovation Authority through the Oman Centre for Animal and Plant Genetic Resources "Mawarid," continues to strengthen its role as an interactive knowledge platform that convenes researchers, specialists and science enthusiasts from across society. The programme is dedicated to demystifying scientific concepts and fostering informed dialogue on biodiversity and genetic resource preservation in the Sultanate of Oman.
Dr. Mohammed bin Nasser Al Yahya'i, Acting Director of the Oman Centre for Animal and Plant Genetic Resources "Mawarid," informed the Oman News Agency (ONA) that the past season featured specialised speakers who explored a broad spectrum of topics related to genetic resources and scientific innovation. The discussions unfolded across five scientific sessions held in the wilayats of Sur, Bidiyah and Quriyat, alongside two additional sessions hosted at Muscat International Airport and the Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM).
He noted that the gatherings attracted over 300 participants, including science enthusiasts, researchers, university students, and community members. Each session provided a dynamic forum for direct discourse, critical inquiry, and the exchange of perspectives on pressing scientific matters, thereby underscoring the vital role of science in serving societal needs.
He highlighted the initiative's robust digital footprint, with content reaching more than 120,000 views across social media platforms and approximately 50,000 interactions with event-related posts. More than 25 media features covering the Science Café's activities were published through the authority's channels and various media outlets, extending the initiative's reach to over 213,000 accounts across digital networks.
Dr. Al Yahya'i elaborated that the sessions explored an array of scientific themes, including climate change and marine ecosystems, nature-inspired artistry, biodiversity within Oman's desert environments and the contribution of scientific research to sustainable development. He affirmed that these gatherings have significantly enhanced dialogue between the scientific community and the public, while opening new avenues for discourse on the imperative of safeguarding natural resources and managing them sustainably.
The Science Café initiative, he explained, embodies the Research and Innovation Authority's commitment, through the Mawarid Centre, to propagating scientific literacy and deepening community awareness of genetic resource conservation and biodiversity protection. It simultaneously advances national aspirations toward building a knowledge-based society anchored in scientific research and innovation.
He affirmed that the center remains dedicated to evolving this scientific initiative as it enters its thirteenth season, expanding opportunities for community engagement with scientific and environmental issues while elevating science's presence in the public sphere through interactive platforms that seamlessly integrate knowledge cultivation with open, inclusive dialogue.
