Princess Nourah University launches the Next Generation Forum to support innovation
Under the patronage of His Excellency the Minister of Education, Mr. Yousef Al-Bunyan, and in the presence of the Acting President of the University, Dr. Fawzia Al-Amro, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, represented by its Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center, launched the Next Generation under the theme “Innovation Without Borders.” This prominent event, held at the university’s Conference and Seminar Center, saw wide participation from leading government and private sector entities, underscoring the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting young and creative minds.
Princess Nourah University's pioneering journey in empowering women
Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University is the largest women's university in the world, and since its founding, it has been committed to empowering Saudi women both academically and professionally. In recent years, the university has undergone radical transformations to keep pace with the demands of the modern era, shifting from a focus on traditional education to building an environment that fosters scientific research and technological development. This historic evolution reflects the wise leadership's commitment to integrating women as a fundamental and active element in the national development process, making the hosting of major events in the field of entrepreneurship a natural extension of this rich legacy.
Strategic dimensions and expected impact of the Next Generation Forum
The impact of the Next Generation Forum extends far beyond the local level, encompassing significant regional and international dimensions. Locally, the forum fosters a strong connection between innovators and investors, accelerating the transformation of academic research into successful commercial ventures that bolster the national economy. Regionally, this event reinforces Saudi Arabia's position as a leading hub for entrepreneurs in the Middle East. Internationally, such initiatives elevate the Kingdom's ranking in global competitiveness and innovation indices, underscoring its readiness to compete in the global knowledge economy. Dr. Fawzia Al-Amro emphasized in her address that the forum serves as a national platform that translates the aspirations of the development and investment roadmap, empowering young people to drive change.
Innovation economy trends and dialogue sessions
The forum continues until Monday, April 27, and its rich program includes five panel discussions featuring prominent leaders and experts. These sessions will explore specialized topics including: “From Idea to Impact: How Entrepreneurship, Research, and Technology Integrate to Build an Innovation Economy,” “From Data to Value: How Artificial Intelligence Drives an Innovation Economy,” as well as discussions on the “National Alliance for Innovation Zones and Oases,” “Challenges of Transforming Research into Commercial Projects,” and “The Entrepreneurial Economy and Commercial Innovation.” The forum also features 12 specialized workshops, most notably on how to discover digital opportunities using artificial intelligence and how to protect digital innovations and software.
Interactive exhibitions and innovative initiatives
In addition to the sessions, the forum features an accompanying innovation exhibition showcasing projects across four main tracks: health, environment, technology, and culture. A key feature of the exhibition is the “Adoption Platform,” which allows innovators to present their ideas to industry and investment entities. As part of the forum's activities, the “Idea Card” platform was launched as an online portal for receiving innovative ideas, along with the “Integrated Thinking Table” initiative to transform ideas into patents. The event also witnessed the signing of a strategic agreement with the Saudi Innovation Club and the awarding of prizes to the winners of the “Noura Hackathon,” thus fostering a culture of innovation and equipping female students with the skills necessary for the job market, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
