Innovative projects crowned in the Raya Research Program in Dammam

Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University, represented by the Deanship of Scientific Research, recognized three outstanding research projects that won the first edition of the Raya Research Program. These projects involved more than 60 undergraduate students and were supervised by a select group of faculty members. This recognition coincides with the launch of the program's second edition, reflecting the university's unwavering commitment to empowering young Saudi talent and developing their innovative capabilities in the health and technology sectors, in line with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030.

The ceremony was held in the presence of the Vice President of the University for Scientific Research and Innovation, Professor Dr. Jihan Al-Humaid, and the Dean of the Deanship of Scientific Research, Professor Dr. Reem Al-Jandan, with wide participation from researchers and deans of colleges at the university.

The historic shift towards a knowledge economy and the Kingdom's Vision 2030

In recent years, Saudi Arabia has witnessed a rapid and historic transformation towards building a knowledge-based and innovation-driven economy. Universities are no longer merely institutions of traditional academic education, but have become incubators and accelerators for entrepreneurial ideas and applied scientific research. These initiatives are part of a comprehensive national strategy to support research, development, and innovation, which aims to position the Kingdom among the world's most technologically and scientifically advanced nations by translating academic research into practical solutions and patents with commercial and industrial applications.

Exceptional achievements by the Raya Research Program in its first edition

Professor Reem Al-Jandan affirmed that celebrating the achievements of the first edition and coinciding with the launch of the second embodies the continuity of giving and reflects the ambition to achieve excellence in line with the goals of the national vision. She added that the Deanship of Scientific Research strives to be an environment that fosters passion and accelerates innovative ideas, enabling researchers to achieve a “sustainable scientific and intellectual impact” through effective partnerships with colleges and research centers.

For her part, Dr. Afnan Al-Jaafari, Vice Dean of Scientific Research, revealed that the program, which began in January 2025 and lasted a full year, included more than 60 undergraduate students supervised by 19 faculty members. Dr. Al-Jaafari explained that the projects covered health, engineering, administrative, technical, humanities, and educational disciplines, and that participants were trained to conduct research according to approved methodologies that focus on interdisciplinary research supporting societal needs and national priorities.

Quality health innovations to prevent pain from medical devices

Dr. Afnan Al-Jaafari noted that the first-place winning project fell under the "Health and Wellbeing" theme, contributing to efforts to improve quality of life and promote community health, in line with the university's identity and mission. In this context, graduate Ghada Al-Qahtani, specializing in Cardiac Technology at the College of Applied Medical Sciences, explained that their winning project focused on the prevention and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal disorders among cardiac imaging specialists.

Al-Qahtani stated that the idea stemmed from addressing the suffering of female specialists from muscle pain and physical strain during work, going beyond the theoretical research aspect and reaching the development of innovative practical solutions that alleviate physical strain and raise the quality of professional life for medical staff.

For her part, graduate Rawan Al-Dalijan, from the same specialization, discussed how the team acquired scientific research and innovative thinking skills, explaining that the program taught them the steps to transform an idea into a fully functional application. She concluded by emphasizing that their efforts culminated in the publication of their research in a prestigious Q1-ranked scientific journal and the acquisition of two patents for two devices from the United States Patent and Trademark Office. She expressed her appreciation for the continuous support from their supervisors, Dr. Lamia Al-Saykhan and Dr. Shukri, throughout all stages of the project.

Local and global impact enhances the standing of Saudi scientific research

The importance of these innovations is not limited to the academic sphere alone, but extends to making a tangible impact on several levels:

• At the local level: These health innovations contribute to improving the work environment for medical staff within Saudi hospitals, reducing absenteeism rates resulting from occupational injuries and increasing the efficiency of healthcare provided to patients.
• At the regional and international level: The registration of patents with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the publication of scientific papers in Q1-ranked journals demonstrate the high competitiveness of young Saudi minds globally, which raises the ranking of Saudi universities in international indicators such as the QS ranking and the Times Higher Education ranking.

The success of the first edition of this program lays the foundation for a promising future in which students continue to provide innovative solutions that effectively contribute to driving sustainable development and building a vibrant society and a thriving economy.