His Excellency the President of Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Prof. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Tamim, inaugurated on Monday the activities of the “Innovation and Entrepreneurship Week,” organized by the Deanship of Student Affairs in collaboration with the University’s Innovation Accelerator. The event is being held at the lobby of the College of Engineering building in the University City in Al-Kharj.
Running through May 14, the week aims to foster a culture of innovation, strengthen the knowledge economy, support and empower emerging ventures, transform innovative ideas into viable projects, and facilitate the exchange of expertise among talents from within and beyond the University.
During the inauguration, Al-Tamim toured the accompanying exhibition, which featured broad participation from internal and external entities. The Social Development Bank showcased its financing solutions, while the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority (Monsha’at) introduced its services designed to support entrepreneurial ventures. The General Authority for Defense Development presented its innovative solutions, while the University’s Innovation Accelerator highlighted its efforts to connect innovative students with leading companies. In addition, the Central Laboratory and the Research and Development Center introduced pioneering initiatives in solar energy investment, environmental sustainability, and emerging technologies.
On the sidelines of the event, the University President inaugurated the headquarters of the Central Innovation and Entrepreneurship Club, a student-centered platform equipped with advanced technologies. The facility includes the “Future Entrepreneurs Hall” and the “Idea Mine” Bootcamp, which aims to transform early-stage ideas into viable entrepreneurial business models. He also reviewed the outcomes of the “Structured Innovative Thinking Program,” which attracted 400 competing projects, with 16 shortlisted for the final stage to compete for financial awards supporting the national research and development ecosystem.
As part of his tour, Al-Tamim explored a range of innovations and projects presented by the University’s scientific and health colleges, reflecting the capabilities of national talent. Highlights included hydrogen-powered vehicles developed by the College of Engineering and a smart glove for sign language translation presented by the College of Engineering and Computer Science. The College of Medicine showcased early chemical detection technologies for infections, while the College of Dentistry introduced a smart patient-safe dental unit, in addition to displaying faculty patents that have received international recognition at the Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions.
The College of Pharmacy showcased an implantable device developed for diabetes care, alongside the “Nano CDR3 Generation” innovation, designed to advance protein antibody technologies for the treatment of cancer and immunodeficiency disorders. The project represented the University at the global GEMx Competition in Switzerland. The College of Nursing unveiled a smart device for monitoring the quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), while the College of Applied Medical Sciences presented an award-winning muscle rehabilitation device recognized at the Scientific Forum.
Meanwhile, the College of Science and Humanities introduced a new generation of electrochemical cells for water purification, along with an antibacterial nano-coating. The College of Business Administration presented a proactive monitoring system integrated with the Etimad and Shamel platforms of the General Court of Audit, designed to audit financial operations and detect contractual irregularities. The innovation was also featured at the Accounting Innovation Forum Hackathon in Riyadh. In addition, the College of Business Administration in Hotat Bani Tamim introduced a smart underwater inspection and repair system, underscoring the role of digital solutions in addressing technical challenges.
As part of the week’s activities, a series of workshops will be held on Tuesday to discuss the latest practices and experiences in innovation and entrepreneurship, support promising technology-based ventures, foster human capital development, and stimulate innovation in support of the growth of the knowledge economy.
The launch of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Week reflects the University’s ongoing efforts to keep pace with the Kingdom’s rapidly growing innovation sector and capitalize on emerging opportunities that contribute to strengthening the knowledge economy, in alignment with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
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