Mentors

Damien Rayner

Damien Rayner

Seasoned physics educator and World Robot Olympiad leader (BSM)

A seasoned Head of Year and Physics Teacher, his work focuses on helping students build strong academic foundations alongside practical skills in robotics and STEM. He has led the robotics club at BSM for over 3 years, mentoring students and guiding teams to participate in international competitions, particularly the World Robot Olympiad (WRO).

His experience includes strategic planning, team leadership and developing structured robotics programmes that prepare students for WRO through design, coding and problem-solving. He has supported students from their very first exposure to competing at international level.

A defining moment in his career has been the consistent increase in the number of students choosing Physics, coupled with a year-on-year improvement in their A-level grades. Alongside education, he has held leadership roles in the business sector, strengthening his organisational and team-building skills, which he applies to running effective robotics teams.

His mentorship has contributed to growing student engagement in STEM and improved performance in both academics and robotics. Known for being approachable and detail-oriented, he continues to focus on expanding access to robotics education and strengthening WRO participation, particularly in Oman.

Vahid Jourabchi

Vahid Jourabchi

Education Specialist World Robot Olympiad

A robotics educator and mentor with over 17 years of experience, he is the Education Specialist for the World Robot Olympiad (WRO) and has played a key role in developing robotics education across Oman. He is also the founder of Roboticktick and has led robotics training programs and competitions for students at multiple levels, from beginners to international finalists.

He has coached and mentored numerous WRO teams in Oman, guiding students through the full journey of design, programming, and competition preparation, with several teams reaching international participation.

His work focuses on making robotics accessible to young students and building strong problem-solving and innovation skills through structured, competition-based learning, aligned with the growth of STEM education in Oman.

Sultan Al-Yahhai

Sultan Al-Yahhai

Info. Tech. manager; Co-founder of CodeAcademy_om; Visiting faculty; PhD (Sultan Qaboos University)

A senior education and technology professional based in Oman, he has extensive experience in training, digital transformation and STEM education initiatives. His work spans teaching, mentoring and leading technical programmes that support youth development in emerging fields like data science, AI and robotics.

He has been actively involved in delivering technical training programmes and youth-focused learning initiatives, helping students build practical skills and confidence in problem-solving and technology. His focus is on bridging education with real-world applications and preparing students for future careers in tech-driven industries.

Through his mentorship, he contributes to strengthening STEM learning pathways in Oman and supporting student development in innovation-focused programmes aligned with national growth priorities.