King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS) today held the fifth edition of the "Health Innovation Hackathon" under the theme "We Innovate for a Healthy Nation," under the patronage of Minister of Education Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Benyan and attended by University President Dr. Bandar bin Abdulmohsen Al-Knawy, along with representatives from 55 universities and colleges from across the Kingdom.

Launch of the "Mishkat Entrepreneurship and Innovation Incubator" Initiative

During the event, Dr. Al-Knawy launched the "Mishkat Entrepreneurship and Innovation Incubator" initiative, which aims to:

  • Support innovation and entrepreneurship in the healthcare field.
  • Provide an integrated environment for turning innovative ideas into real-world projects.
  • Boost applied research in modern healthcare technologies.
  • Empower creative young people to contribute to developing the national healthcare sector.

Dr. Al-Knawy affirmed that the hackathon serves as an ambitious national platform that boosts the innovative capabilities of male and female students, in line with Saudi Vision 2030, noting that the event was organized in partnership with a number of prominent entities, including:

  • King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology.
  • The Saudi Food and Drug Authority.
  • Monsha'at and the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property.
  • SDAIA and the Research, Development and Innovation Authority.
  • The National Cybersecurity Authority.

Launch of the "KSAU-HS Award for Entrepreneurship in the Knowledge Economy"

The fifth edition also saw the launch of the "KSAU-HS Award for Entrepreneurship in the Knowledge Economy," which aims to:

  • Boost innovation in the knowledge economy.
  • Encourage creative young people to develop innovative entrepreneurial projects.
  • Support national talent that contributes to the qualitative transformation of vital sectors.

Preparations for the Sixth Edition (2026)

KSAU-HS announced that the sixth edition of the "Health Innovation Hackathon" will be held in 2026 under the theme:
"Growing Together to Create an Innovative Experience in Hosting Expo and the World Cup."
The upcoming edition aims to develop smart, sustainable solutions using the latest technologies, including:

  • Artificial intelligence.
  • The Internet of Things.
  • 5G applications.
  • Robotics.

The Hackathon's Role in Healthcare Transformation

The event focused on boosting innovation in smart healthcare, contributing to:

  • Accelerating the sustainability of healthcare services.
  • Building an environment that encourages the development of advanced technologies.
  • Preparing national generations capable of leading the future of healthcare innovation.