• Omar Wael, 13, an Egyptian developer, uses a virtual reality device as he works at his home in Alexandria, Egypt. All photos: Reuters
    Omar Wael, 13, an Egyptian developer, uses a virtual reality device as he works at his home in Alexandria, Egypt. All photos: Reuters
  • Wearing a virtual reality headset and black and yellow wired gloves. The Egyptian teenager is hoping to build his own version of the metaverse, allowing people to one day shop, attend classes, or even conduct experiments online.
    Wearing a virtual reality headset and black and yellow wired gloves. The Egyptian teenager is hoping to build his own version of the metaverse, allowing people to one day shop, attend classes, or even conduct experiments online.
  • Omar sits at home with his family in Alexandria, Egypt.
    Omar sits at home with his family in Alexandria, Egypt.
  • The artificial intelligence junkie became fascinated by the world of virtual reality after watching 'Ready Player One', a 2018 science fiction film in which much of humanity uses a virtual reality simulation. This inspired him to start working on his own version of the project.
    The artificial intelligence junkie became fascinated by the world of virtual reality after watching 'Ready Player One', a 2018 science fiction film in which much of humanity uses a virtual reality simulation. This inspired him to start working on his own version of the project.
  • His idea started taking shape when the metaverse became more easily accessible, thanks to tech companies investing billions into the industry in the past few years. Using some of his mother's old clothes, Wael developed a sensory vest and glove. He also started working on software that he hopes will allow pupils like himself to attend classes via the metaverse.
    His idea started taking shape when the metaverse became more easily accessible, thanks to tech companies investing billions into the industry in the past few years. Using some of his mother's old clothes, Wael developed a sensory vest and glove. He also started working on software that he hopes will allow pupils like himself to attend classes via the metaverse.
  • 'This saves the environment and reduces traffic,' he says. 'Researchers who work on chemical experiments won't have to buy expensive chemical materials, they can simply carry out their experiments in a virtual lab, in a simulation of what happens in reality.'
    'This saves the environment and reduces traffic,' he says. 'Researchers who work on chemical experiments won't have to buy expensive chemical materials, they can simply carry out their experiments in a virtual lab, in a simulation of what happens in reality.'
  • Omar won various local and international awards for his project 'The Other World' - for which he hopes to secure funding to enable him to develop it further.
    Omar won various local and international awards for his project 'The Other World' - for which he hopes to secure funding to enable him to develop it further.
  • Omar Wael, a 13-year-old Egyptian developer, wears a virtual reality (VR) device as he works at his home in Alexandria, Egypt, May 23, 2022. Picture taken May 23, 2022. REUTERS / Mohamed Abd El Ghany
    Omar Wael, a 13-year-old Egyptian developer, wears a virtual reality (VR) device as he works at his home in Alexandria, Egypt, May 23, 2022. Picture taken May 23, 2022. REUTERS / Mohamed Abd El Ghany

MENA

Egyptian developer, 13, wants to build own metaverse - in pictures

Omar Wael became fascinated by the world of virtual reality after watching 'Ready Player One'

The National

May 27, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

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How to wear a kandura

Dos

  • Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion 
  • Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
  • Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work 
  • Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester

Don’ts 

  • Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal 
  • Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

The advice provided in our columns does not constitute legal advice and is provided for information only. Readers are encouraged to seek independent legal advice. 

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Sarina Wiegman (England)

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