Under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Governor of Makkah Region, His Highness Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Jalawi, Governor of Jeddah, attended the closing ceremony of the First Research Conference for University Students in Makkah Region, which was successfully hosted by Jeddah University. The ceremony was held in the presence of His Excellency the Minister of Education, Mr. Yousef Al-Bunyan, a number of academic and research leaders, and participating students, reflecting the great importance the leadership places on supporting young talent and scientific research.
Supporting student innovation in line with Vision 2030
The inaugural conference aims to establish a leading platform to support student scientific research and foster a culture of innovation and creativity among university students. It seeks to provide students with an opportunity to showcase their outstanding projects and research, develop their research skills, and, most importantly, align higher education outcomes with the needs of comprehensive national development. This approach is fully aligned with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which prioritizes human capital development and the transition to a knowledge-based and innovation-driven economy.
Background and importance of the strategy
This conference marks a significant step forward for higher education in the Kingdom, reflecting a strategic shift towards strengthening collaboration among universities within the region to create a comprehensive and stimulating research environment. In light of rapid global developments, universities are no longer merely educational institutions, but have become key drivers of economic and social development. By empowering students to engage in scientific research at an early stage, these initiatives contribute to building a generation of researchers and innovators capable of addressing future challenges and effectively contributing to achieving the nation's goals.
Expected impact at the local and national levels
Locally, the conference is expected to enrich scientific activity in the Makkah region and guide student research toward finding innovative solutions to local challenges in areas such as urban sustainability, logistics, tourism, and healthcare. Nationally, the success of such conferences enhances the standing of Saudi universities on the global scientific research map and supports the Kingdom's efforts to build a diversified and sustainable economy. The event also witnessed the signing of several cooperation agreements between Jeddah University and leading entities in the research and entrepreneurship sectors, ensuring the transformation of promising research ideas into tangible projects with economic impact.
Honoring outstanding individuals
During the ceremony, His Royal Highness the Governor of Jeddah and the attendees viewed a presentation showcasing the most prominent scientific research and innovative projects presented at the conference. In closing, His Royal Highness honored the winning and distinguished teams across the various conference tracks. This year's conference saw the participation of 140 teams representing 309 students from 10 prestigious universities in the Makkah region. This recognition serves as an appreciation of their outstanding research efforts and an incentive for them to continue their pursuit of excellence and creativity in the fields of research and innovation.
