Saudi Gazette report
JEDDAH — The inaugural Innovation and Entrepreneurship Conference under the theme “Idea, Invention, and Impact” kicked off at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah on Tuesday. The event is held under the patronage of Advisor to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Emir of the Makkah Region Prince Khalid Al-Faisal. A total of 22 Saudi universities are participating in the two-day conference, which will conclude on Wednesday.
The conference aims to strengthen the role of universities as drivers of innovation and economic development by fostering collaboration and building a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem within higher education. With a lineup of 105 speakers, the program includes keynote talks, panel discussions, and workshops covering a range of topics relevant to academics, researchers, students, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and innovation professionals.
Dr. Musab bin Faleh Al-Harbi, director of Institutional Communication and spokesperson at King Abdulaziz University, emphasized that the conference supports the Kingdom’s national innovation agenda and aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. Key themes include the knowledge economy, intellectual property, and investment in inventions, with participation from national institutions such as Monsha’at and the Research, Development and Innovation Authority (RDIA).
He noted that Saudi universities are uniquely positioned to translate knowledge into economic and social impact, and that this conference serves as a platform to showcase their potential in advancing innovation at a national level. The conference also seeks to cultivate a culture of innovation in society, align university education with labor market demands, and empower the next generation of Saudi entrepreneurs and inventors. Through academic-industry collaboration and applied research, the event supports the transformation of ideas into real world solutions and industrial applications.
Structured around four main themes, the conference addresses current challenges and opportunities: 1. Building innovation and entrepreneurship in universities. 2. The knowledge economy and its societal impact. 3. Technology transfer and localization. 4. Entrepreneurship and investment in innovation.
These themes explore ways to close the gap between research and industry, analyze successful local and global practices, and support universities in delivering measurable impact.
A central objective is to transform research outputs into startups and high-value products, in alignment with the Human Capability Development Program and the broader Vision 2030 framework. The conference also highlights the importance of entrepreneurship as a strategic career path and economic pillar, reaffirming the central role of universities in developing future leaders and innovators.
The conference aims to promote strategies to attract local and international investment in innovation-driven ventures and enhance the ability of universities to contribute effectively to national development. Dr. Al-Harbi affirmed that innovation is a shared responsibility and that the active participation of all stakeholders will help produce practical, actionable recommendations to advance the innovation and entrepreneurship landscape across Saudi universities.
