Muscat – Omani doctor Abdullah al Lawati has brought pride to the Sultanate by winning the Best Poster Award (Printed Posters Category) at the 10th Surgical Update Conference, organised by the Oman Surgical Society.
The biennial conference, held at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre on December 19 and 20, 2025, is the largest surgical meeting in Oman and drew around 400 participants. It featured an international scientific programme with speakers from the GCC, the Arab region, the United Kingdom and Canada, alongside nearly 75 poster presentations.
Dr Lawati’s work was selected as the best printed poster following evaluation by a panel of experts.
Speaking to Muscat Daily, Dr Lawati said the recognition was particularly significant given the scale and stature of the conference. He noted that such appreciation encourages doctors to continue contributing to scientific and clinical advancement despite the demanding nature of academic work.
The award-winning poster, titled “Dorsal Veins as a Unique Biometric Tool,” explored the use of dorsal hand vein patterns as an additional biometric method. Dr Lawati explained that while facial recognition and fingerprint technologies are widely used, they are not completely free from errors. His work examined vein orientation using a specialised scanning application among Omani medical students, producing encouraging initial findings.
He said the study aims to support practical applications, including strengthening security systems at national and airport levels, by complementing existing biometric technologies rather than replacing them.
Dr Lawati has received several major honours at both international and national levels in recognition of his academic and clinical contributions, reflecting the growing role of Omani doctors on global and regional platforms.
In addition to his professional work, Dr Lawati serves as the USERN Ambassador for Research in Oman, where he supports mentoring initiatives, international collaboration and wider exposure for young Omanis. He is currently involved in several ongoing projects and remains committed to promoting innovation and excellence.
Dr Lawati encouraged young Omanis to identify opportunities, take initiative and step beyond their comfort zones, stressing that meaningful progress begins with the courage to take the first step.
