The British Omani Society were honoured to fund the participation of 5 Omani students at the London International Youth Science Forum 2025, as part of our charitable objectives to advance the education of Omani nationals by the promotion of learning and a wider knowledge by assisting individuals and organisations by providing bursaries, awards, scholarships, training, apprenticeships and financial and logistical support. Read more here.
Blog written by Dima Al Maawali
Imagine this: on your birthday, you’re raising your country’s flag at the Opening Ceremony of the London International Youth Science Forum (LIYSF). That was my reality this year — carrying my country’s flag on a global stage in front of 430 brilliant young minds from 92 countries. A surreal birthday gift I’ll treasure forever.
Photo © LIYSF
From the very start, the atmosphere was electric. We were welcomed by HRH The Princess Royal and inspired by a keynote from Nobel Prize Laureate Professor David MacMillan. After that, our days turned into a whirlwind of science and discovery: lectures on public health leadership, fusion energy, vaccinology, AI for global challenges, Jupiter’s icy moons, neuropsychopharmacology, and even failing your way to success. My favorite? The debate on generative AI, is it a tool for progress or a danger waiting to unfold? As someone working in AI, I couldn’t have asked for a more timely discussion. One of my proudest moments was presenting my project on the Bazaar Day, showing that Oman’s youth can contribute to global change.
Photo © LIYSF
But LIYSF wasn’t just about science. It was about people. We taught our new friends Arabic, learned new languages like Mandarin, exchanged gifts, played Mafia and Witches games at midnight. We went karting, played paintball, and explored museums and London’s iconic spots. Somewhere along the way, strangers became friends, and friends became family.
The visits took everything to another level. At McLaren’s Technology Centre, we discovered workshops straight out of a movie set (literally — parts of Barbie, Star Wars, and F1 were filmed there!). At the BMW Mini Plant, we saw entire cars built in seconds. At Imperial College London’s Aeronautics Department, we stepped into labs where rockets, race cars, and planes come alive, and even stood inside their wind tunnel.
One of the most unique moments came during Traditions of Home night. Oman’s table was buzzing with energy as we wore our traditional clothes and shared a taste of our Omani halwa, gifted Oman-themed keychains, stickers, T-shirts, majmars with frankincense, and of course our iconic Oman Chips! Students lined up to experience a piece of our heritage. It felt incredible to see how curious everyone was about our traditions — and in return, I loved discovering theirs. What struck me most was realizing how cultures, no matter how far apart, often share similarities in beliefs, values, and traditions — reminding us that we are more alike than we might think.
Photo © LIYSF
Earlier that same day, we had the privilege of visiting the Embassy of Oman in London, where we met H.E. Bader bin Mohammed bin Bader Al-Mandhari, Ambassador of Oman to the UK. His words of encouragement reminded us that while we were representing Oman abroad, Oman was also standing proudly with us.
The hardest part was saying goodbye. Yet I left London with more than memories. I left with new friendships, inspiration, and a renewed determination to chase my goals and aim even higher — like an arrow that must aim above the target in order to hit it.
A heartfelt thanks to the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation and the British Omani Society for sponsoring this unforgettable journey, and to all the organizations, societies, and supporters who helped make Oman’s participation at LIYSF possible.
Read the blogs of our LISYF 2025 Participants
Hala Al Zaabi
Al Muntaser Al Mamari
Saif Al Hashar
Zainab Al Moharbi