The fourth edition of the Maida Muhyiddin Nazer Innovation Award concluded on October 8, with teams recognized for developing technology and AI-based solutions to social challenges.
Held at Dar Al-Hekma University from October 4 to 8, the innovation hackathon brought together 150 female participants who formed 41 teams and presented 41 projects. The challenges focused on improving the experience of pilgrims in holy cities, supporting social inclusion for older people and blind people, and developing sustainable social solutions.
Over five days, participants took part in 11 workshops and 74 mentoring sessions led by 19 experts. Twenty teams advanced to present their final solutions to the judging panel.
Rafq from Dar Al-Hekma University won first place in the sustainable social solutions track, receiving SAR90,000. Mo’nes, representing the University of Jeddah and King Abdulaziz University, placed second in the social inclusion track and received SAR70,000.
Sukna, from Umm Al-Qura University and Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, took third place in the pilgrim experience track with a SAR40,000 prize. Nabra from Dar Al-Hekma University won the audience vote after receiving 402 votes and was awarded SAR5,000.
According to the announcement, total prizes exceeded SAR200,000. The hackathon was supported by the Research, Development and Innovation Authority, Monsha’at and Dar Al-Hekma University, and organized by Wadi Makkah Technology Company.
Source: Shafaq
