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 Hala Al Zaabi
Writing about an experience usually means it’s over — but LIYSF 2025 is one chapter I never wanted to end.
The most inspiring moment for me was listening to Nobel Laureate Professor David MacMillan share the story behind his Nobel Prize. He spoke about the challenges his research faced, the doubts along the way, and how perseverance led him to an achievement he once thought impossible. It was a powerful reminder that science isn’t about instant success — it’s about resilience. I was equally fascinated by Maximiliana Behnke from Microsoft, who introduced me to computational linguistics and the gradual evolution of AI, and by Prof. Dr. Freya Blekmans, who described the Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland — an international collaboration that transcends politics to serve humanity. Other lectures left their mark too: Michele K. Dougherty’s journey to discover the icy moons of Jupiter and Saturn, Dr. Jason Nurse’s engaging talk on AI ethics, Dr. Andrew Sydlo’s live chemistry demonstrations across cultures (which honestly felt like a revision chemistry class — I truly have this fun lecture stamped into memory), and Mr. Simi Essien’s insights on engineering project management that I will carry into my own prototype development (he truly helped me figure out where to start in terms of building my projects’ prototype).
Our visit to University College London (UCL) was especially eye-opening. Exploring cancer treatments like CAR-T therapy and genomics in their labs made me seriously consider shifting toward biochemical engineering. It showed me how closely science and humanity are connected, and how engineering can serve life itself.
The cultural side of LIYSF was just as unforgettable. From Traditions of Home, where I proudly shared Omani poetry on stage, to the Science Bazaar where I presented my project, every moment pushed me out of my comfort zone. The plenary session stands out as a true first: I had to speak up, defend my opinion, and engage with people I had never met before — and I found my voice.
Among the visits, Oxford felt almost magical, like stepping into a Harry Potter scene, with its ancient libraries and history whispering from every wall. Cardiff was fun and educational, especially the stock-trading simulation game that gave me my first real grasp of how markets work. At HR Wallingford, I saw the future of environmental engineering in wave simulation facilities that blend computational and physical models.
LIYSF changed me. I came in shy, hesitant to approach people. I left more confident, comfortable starting conversations, and grateful for friendships built across cultures. Saying goodbye to my German friend, or laughing with groups from different countries, showed me how bonds can form in just days. Most of us were exhausted by the packed schedule, but we shared so many conversations and laughs that the tiredness melted away.
The forum also reshaped my ambitions — strengthening my passion for sustainability and showing me new paths in chemical engineering, energy, and water treatment.
If I had to describe LIYSF in one sentence, I’d say: it was eye-opening, exciting, nerve-wrecking, and wholesome — all at once.
Read the blogs of our LISYF 2025 Participants
Al Muntaser Al Mamari
Saif Al Hashar