SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure aims to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation. In Saudi Arabia, SDG 9 is crucial to the Kingdom's Vision 2030 strategy, which focuses on diversifying the economy and driving innovation to reduce dependency on oil. The government and educational institutions like Majmaah University are playing essential roles in achieving these goals.
SDG 9 in KSA: Government’s Role in Innovation and Infrastructure
The Saudi government is driving advancements in infrastructure and innovation through a combination of policy, investment, and strategic initiatives aligned with Vision 2030:
Vision 2030 and Industrial Diversification:
Saudi Arabia aims to diversify its economy through initiatives that support new industries such as technology, healthcare, and tourism. The National Industrial Development and Logistics Program (NIDLP) is central to this, focusing on developing infrastructure, manufacturing, mining, and logistics sectors. These initiatives aim to modernize the economy and create job opportunities in emerging industries.
Mega Projects and Smart Cities:
Saudi Arabia is home to several mega infrastructure projects that integrate advanced technology and innovation. Examples include NEOM, a $500 billion futuristic city that will rely heavily on smart technologies, renewable energy, and advanced infrastructure. Additionally, The Red Sea Project and Qiddiya aim to boost tourism and entertainment infrastructure while incorporating innovative solutions for sustainability.
Research and Development (R&D):
The Saudi government is investing in research and development through initiatives like King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) and Saudi Arabia’s Industrial Clusters program. These platforms provide funding and resources for industries and academic institutions to conduct research, develop new technologies, and bring innovative solutions to market.
Support for Innovation and Startups:
Through organizations like Monsha’at (the General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises), the government is fostering innovation in the private sector. Monsha’at provides funding, mentorship, and support to entrepreneurs and startups, promoting innovation in technology and industry. This supports the creation of new business ventures and accelerates economic diversification.
Advanced Infrastructure Projects:
Infrastructure development is a priority in Saudi Arabia, with major investments in transport, logistics, and energy sectors. The government is constructing new highways, railroads, and airports, including the Haramain High-Speed Railway, which enhances connectivity between major cities. These projects support economic growth and integrate sustainability practices, ensuring that the infrastructure aligns with SDG 9 goals.
Majmaah University’s Role in SDG 9
Majmaah University plays a key role in supporting innovation and infrastructure development within its campus and community, aligning with SDG 9 through research, technology, and public engagement:
Fostering Innovation and Entrepreneurship:
Majmaah University promotes innovation by encouraging entrepreneurship and the development of new technologies. Through its Innovation Center and Business Incubators, the university provides students and faculty with the tools and resources to transform their ideas into marketable products and services. Workshops, mentorship programs, and seed funding are available to help incubate startups and support students’ entrepreneurial journeys.
Research and Development (R&D):
The university has a strong emphasis on research in technology and engineering fields. Researchers at Majmaah University collaborate with government and private sector entities on projects related to renewable energy, environmental sustainability, and smart technologies. These research initiatives not only contribute to solving local challenges but also align with national goals for industrial innovation.
Infrastructure and Technology on Campus:
The university has invested in creating a state-of-the-art campus that reflects modern infrastructure and sustainable practices. The use of smart technologies in campus buildings, energy-efficient systems, and the integration of renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, ensures that the infrastructure is sustainable and resilient. This approach provides students with a real-world example of how innovation can be applied in infrastructure.
Public Engagement and Community Development:
Majmaah University is actively involved in community outreach, educating the public on the importance of innovation and sustainable development. The university hosts seminars, workshops, and public lectures that promote industry innovation, encourage entrepreneurship, and highlight the importance of sustainable infrastructure. These events also help build awareness of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the role of innovation in the country’s future.
Collaboration with Government and Industry:
Majmaah University collaborates with government institutions, such as the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, and private companies to work on projects that align with SDG 9. These collaborations often focus on innovation, research, and the development of technologies that benefit both the university and the broader community.
Saudi Arabia is making significant progress in achieving SDG 9 through its Vision 2030 framework, which prioritizes infrastructure development, industrial diversification, and innovation. The government’s support for mega-projects, startups, and research initiatives is driving economic growth and technological advancement. Majmaah University complements these national efforts by fostering innovation on campus, promoting entrepreneurship, and engaging with the local community on sustainable development. Together, these initiatives are helping Saudi Arabia build a more resilient and innovative economy.
Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center
https://www.mu.edu.sa/ar/centers-and-institutes/innopation-center/11960
Majmaah University has given great importance to innovation and invention, as it has established the “Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center,” which aims to provide the necessary services to innovators and transfer their innovations to the labor market by registering these innovations locally and internationally and coordinating the marketing of these products to companies and institutions.
The importance of this center lies in its achievement of one of the goals of the Ninth Development Plan, which is (achieving a knowledge economy). The center aims to provide special care to the innovator, as our innovator is: the person who has new, unprecedented or rare ideas, and has knowledge, imagination and adventure, as well as exploration, curiosity and intuition.
Center's vision
Innovation should be a means to reach the knowledge economy and an easy path for innovators and inventors to entrepreneurship.
Center's mission
Transforming distinctive ideas into products of economic value and transforming ideas into a product based on an economic or service goal and achieving leadership in the presence of products in local and global markets.
Center's objectives
1- Working on the actual transformation to a knowledge economy based on the state’s ninth development plan.
2- Achieving leadership for Majmaah University in the field of innovation and creativity.
3- Highlighting the university’s excellence locally and internationally in the field of innovation and creativity.
4- Achieving the global average of creativity among university staff, which is 3%.
5- Providing innovative and distinctive solutions to solve community problems.
6- Spreading the culture of innovation and creativity.
Target group
- Faculty members and those in similar positions.
- University graduates.
- University students.
- Administrators.
- Local community.
Center Services
Events:
The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center organizes a workshop to stimulate innovative solutions to energy sector challenges
https://www.mu.edu.sa/ar/news/centers-and-institutes/innovation-and-entrepreneurship-center/216870
The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center, in cooperation with the Department of Electrical Engineering, organized a workshop entitled "Stimulating Innovative Solutions to the Challenges of the Energy Sector", as part of the efforts made to enhance the field of innovation and entrepreneurship at the university, which enjoys the support and interest of His Excellency the President of the University, Prof. Dr. Saleh bin Abdullah Al-Muzal, and with the follow-up of the Vice President for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research, Prof. Dr. Muhammad bin Abdulrahman Al-Shahri, who always encourages the organization of such events and programs that serve the Kingdom's Vision 2030 and are in line with the applications of sustainable development goals.
The workshop covered five main topics, including energy demand management and improving consumer experience, enhancing security and safety for consumers and workers, procedures and means to improve energy operating efficiency, renewable energy systems technologies and energy storage solutions, and emerging technologies and applications in the energy sector. The workshop was presented by Dr. Abdulaziz bin Dakhil Al-Mutairi, Head of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center, and Dr. Naif bin Saud Al-Baqmi, Head of the Electrical Engineering Department.
Dr. Al-Mutairi stressed the importance of this workshop in stimulating innovation and creative thinking to address the challenges facing the energy sector in the Kingdom, noting that the university attaches great importance to this file by launching various initiatives and programs that enhance the culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. Dr. Al-Mutairi added that the workshop witnessed wide participation from students, researchers and those interested in innovation in the field of energy, which confirms the need for such initiatives that enhance interaction between the university and the community in this vital sector.
For his part, Dr. Al-Baqmi explained that the Department of Electrical Engineering seeks, through this workshop, to enhance the partnership between the university and the industrial sector in the field of energy, which contributes to the development of innovative solutions that can be applied and implemented on the ground. He also pointed out that the workshop comes within a series of events and programs organized by the department to link scientific research with practical applications in the energy sector.
The Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship implements an initiative to support the participation of university students in the fourth health innovation challenge
https://www.mu.edu.sa/ar/news/centers-and-institutes/innovation-and-entrepreneurship-center/209966
With the support and guidance of His Excellency the University President, Prof. Dr. Saleh bin Abdullah Al-Muzal, and the follow-up and supervision of the Vice-Rector for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research, Prof. Dr. Muhammad bin Abdulrahman Al-Shahri, the University Agency for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research, represented by the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and in cooperation with the Deanship of Student Affairs and Health Colleges at Majmaah University, implemented a pioneering initiative to support the participation of university students in the Fourth Health Innovation Challenge.
This initiative comes as part of the university’s efforts to promote the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship among students, and enable them to participate in the Health Innovation Challenge organized by King Saud University Health, which will be held in Riyadh during the period January 19-22, 2024.
The initiative included a series of activities and events that were successfully implemented, benefiting more than 200 students. These events included a workshop on the challenges facing the health sector and brainstorming to find creative solutions, in addition to a workshop that focused on innovative ideas and pioneering projects in the health sector and available opportunities. 16 innovations submitted by students were developed and evaluated, and 10 of them were selected to participate in the Health Innovation Challenge.
These numbers reflect the large scale of participation and widespread interest in innovation and entrepreneurship among students at the university.
For his part, the supervisor of this initiative, the head of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center, Dr. Abdulaziz bin Dakhil Al-Mutairi, indicated that this initiative is evidence of the university’s commitment to supporting and empowering its students in developing their ideas and contributing to achieving sustainable development goals related to the health sector. It is expected that this participation will have a positive impact on health innovations and the development of health services in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship supervises the participation of talented female students in the National Olympiad for Scientific Creativity 2024
https://www.mu.edu.sa/ar/news/centers-and-institutes/innopation-center/208381
The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center at the University Agency for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research, in cooperation with the University’s Social Responsibility Observatory, supervised the participation of talented female students from the Majmaah Education Department in the 2024 National Scientific Creativity Olympiad Exhibition, which was held in the Diriyah Hall in the Riyadh region. The exhibition, which lasted for three days, from October 24 to 26, 2023, hosted the participation of 263 female students from various regions and governorates of the region.
The fields of participation varied between renewable energy, engineering technologies, data analysis and artificial intelligence. The students’ participation received attention and appreciation from the attendees and supervisory committees, as they presented their innovative and distinguished projects with creativity and high confidence.
Participation in the exhibition is the culmination of many activities held by the center during the past two months as a community initiative aimed at enhancing the spirit of innovation and leadership and developing the capabilities of the ambitious young generation, and developing their capabilities in various scientific and technological fields. This step comes within the community partnerships that His Excellency the University President, Professor Dr. Saleh bin Abdullah Al-Muzal, urges to activate.
The university participates in the first Saudi Robotics Forum under the supervision of the Saudi Federation for Wireless Sports, Remote Control and Robotics "Tahkam".
Based on the approval of His Excellency the University President, Dr. Khalid bin Saad Al-Muqrin. Majmaah University participated in the first Saudi Robotics Forum under the title (Robot Championships between Hobby and Supporting Innovation), which was held under the supervision of the General Sports Authority. The university was represented in this forum by the Head of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center, Dr. Saeed bin Saleh Banwas. His Excellency the President of the Saudi Federation for Wireless Sports, Remote Control and Robotics "Tahkam", Mr. Saud bin Badah Al-Fagham, opened the forum and spoke about the importance of innovation and the future of societies with the Internet of Things, and how artificial intelligence creates transformations in all fields. During the meeting, the establishment of local and international robotics championships was discussed, and the first robotics committee was launched at the Saudi Federation for Wireless Sports, Remote Control and Robotics at the General Sports Authority.
For his part, His Excellency Prof. Dr. Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Shaya, Vice President for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research, stressed that the university's participation in this forum comes with the support of His Excellency the Director of Al-Juma, and his keenness on the university's participation in all fields of innovation, forums and workshops that prepare and connect male and female students to the labor market by working on robotics and technology projects directed at the community and the local market. He also praised the importance of robots that stimulate creativity and the impact of holding robot championships on the emerging generation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
His Excellency the Vice-Rector for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research inaugurates training programs at the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center
His Excellency the Vice President for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research, Prof. Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Shaya, launched the training programs of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center directed to the university's colleges. These programs aim to develop the skills of university members, faculty members, male and female students in the field of creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship. In addition to developing the culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, attracting and sponsoring creative and innovators from university members and students, motivating and supporting pioneers to benefit from their ideas in a commercial way and helping them transform their research or projects into inventions, products or start-up companies, supporting the university's participation locally and internationally in the fields of innovation and entrepreneurship, and activating partnerships with supporting entities.
Prof. Dr. Muhammad bin Abdullah Al-Shaya, Vice President for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research, sponsors the signing ceremony for supporting innovative and entrepreneurial projects supported in its first session 1441 AH
Under the patronage of His Excellency the Vice President for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research, Prof. Dr. Muhammad bin Abdullah Al-Shaya, the University Agency for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research, represented by the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, held a signing ceremony for the first round of supported innovative and entrepreneurial projects for the academic year 1440/1441 AH, in the presence of innovative researchers and entrepreneurs. The Head of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Dr. Saeed bin Saleh Banawas, thanked His Excellency the Vice President for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research for sponsoring the ceremony, supporting and continuously following up on innovative and entrepreneurial projects, and overcoming all difficulties that may face the process of supporting projects. His Excellency stressed the center's keenness to implement the university's directions and vision that target promising young generations as a national human capital that must be supported and preserved in a way that enhances and activates the national balance of distinguished and creative young energies from members of educational institutions and members of society in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The Vice-Rector for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research, Prof. Dr. Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Shaya, stated that this support comes within the framework of the university's efforts to develop business and foster creativity, and contribute to building a knowledge society at Majmaah University. It targets faculty members, our male and female students, and university affiliates from administrative staff; to reveal the distinguished works and creative efforts issued by all university affiliates. Among the goals of this initiative is to encourage and develop creative works and work to highlight their distinguished aspects at the level of the academic and educational environment and the knowledge society locally, regionally and globally by supporting them. This encourages more participation, interaction, excellence and creativity, and is positively reflected in enhancing the local and national balance of achievements.
The University wins gold and bronze medals at the International Invention Exhibition in Kuwait
The university has achieved a scientific achievement that adds to its scientific, research and community service record, by receiving the gold medal from the donor (the Romanian Advanced Studies and Research Authority); which was handed over to the research team by the head of the Romanian Advanced Studies and Research Authority, Dr. Mircea Monulski. The university also received the bronze medal at the International Exhibition of Inventions in the Middle East, which was organized by the Kuwait Science Club during the period from January 27-30 in the State of Kuwait, where the research team was honored to receive the medal from the sponsor of the ceremony, the representative of His Highness the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, Deputy Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs in the State of Kuwait. These two awards came for the scientific invention designed by a team of university professors and researchers, which they called (the expectorant), which is a device designed to help patients suffering from lung problems, as a result of the accumulation of mucus in the airway in a way that may lead to its closure. The device works to get rid of this mucus and facilitates the process of its removal; This helps to enhance the patient's respiratory performance and rehabilitate the lungs. A team of professors and researchers at Majmaah University participated in implementing this invention, namely: Dr. Raed bin Salim Al-Baradei, Dr. Issam bin Sharaf Al-Maliki, Dr. Saleh bin Ahmed Al-Dahash, along with a group of distinguished researchers inside and outside the Kingdom, including Dr. Yasser bin Hassan Babeer, Dr. Anand Sam Anand, Mr. Abdullah bin Ibrahim Al-Bakhit, Dr. Khaled bin Khalaf Al-Harbi, and Dr. Saeed bin Saleh Banwas, representing the Student Innovation and Inventions Center at the university. This achievement and honor come to confirm the leading competitive role played by Majmaah University in achieving excellence, quality and leadership at all research and scientific levels, in light of the support provided by the Ministry of Education, and the keenness to encourage and follow up from the university's leaders; For the university to occupy advanced positions in global rankings, and to confirm the continuation of the journey to achieve more accomplishments that serve science and society, and advance the country. For their part, the research team thanked the university leaders, headed by His Excellency the Director, Professor Dr. Khalid bin Saad Al-Muqrin, for his continuous support for these efforts, providing this opportunity and agreeing to participate in such scientific forums. Thanks are extended to His Excellency the Vice-Rector for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research, Professor Dr. Muhammad bin Abdullah Al-Shaya, for his diligent follow-up and constant guidance in everything that serves the research process and improves the quality of innovations in global participation.