by: Ioana Dobrescu, Supervisor in Oman on behalf of Wetskills Foundation
From 31 August to 10 September 2025, the sixth edition of the Wetskills Water Challenge in Oman took place in the verdant, monsoon-cooled region of Salalah,—the first time the event was held in this southern coastal area. Nineteen international young professionals from 4 countries – Oman, Palestine, Jordan and the Netherlands – teamed up to tackle water-related challenges presented by local partners, collaborating across disciplines and cultures.
Figure 1 Wetskills participants and local experts
Focus & Cases
The participants tackled four real-world cases proposed by local organizations MEDRC, Nama Water Muscat and Nama Dhofar:
- Case 1: Harvesting seasonal Khareef rainfall via wadis and waterfalls to reduce groundwater reliance (MEDRC),
- Case 2: using AI tools to monitor Oman’s water quality in distribution networks (Nama Water),
- Case 3: evaluating atmospheric water harvesting technologies for humid coastal zones (MEDRC), and
- Case 4: eliminating hydrogen sulphide odor from Salalah’s drinking water (Nama Dhofar)
Programme Highlights
The two-week programme included field visits to the stunning Khareef-powered waterfalls and springs as well as to the waste water treatment plant of Salalah, teamwork, coaching, and expert trainings, including Belbin role models, CANVAS business model training, pitch practice, and poster preparations. A free day allowed teams to explore the natural beauty of the Dhofar region, including the famed Ayn Khor waterfall, Wadi Darbat, Jebel Shams, as well as cultural experiences like visiting camel farms.
Figure 2 Wetskills participants visiting Wadi Darbat
Finals & Awards
The formal final pitches and Awarding Ceremony took place on 10 September, during which teams presented their innovative solutions to a jury of water professionals from Royal Razat Farms, UTAS (University of Technology and Applied Sciences-Salalah) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources. The team who worked on the case of MEDRC “ Harvesting seasonal Khareef rainfall via wadis and waterfalls to reduce groundwater reliance’ were declared winners.
Figure 3 Winning team “From rain to gain”
Why It Matters
Salalah’s cool monsoon season offers a vivid backdrop for water innovation. The event underscored urgent water concerns in the region—such as groundwater depletion, rising salinity, and increasing water demand—while showcasing young talents co-creating sustainable, scalable solutions. In the words of Wetskills team member and Salalah edition supervisor ‘ Wetskills Salalah was my 5th supervisor experience and so far it has been the best. The people, vibes, weather, partners, all the details have made this event a great experience. The participants were eager to learn, exchange knowledge and build friendships. I have returned to Palestine with great moments, lovely new connections and am ready to prepare for next edition in Slalalah!”
