Made in Saudi Arabia Hackathon: Finals kick off with Madinah Girls' technology
The final stage of the “Made in Saudi Arabia” hackathon , organized by the Technical College for Girls in Madinah, kicked off today, Wednesday, with the support and sponsorship of Trainee Fund , in a step aimed at promoting innovation and supporting young national talent.
Context of the event and its national importance
The organization of this hackathon aligns with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 , specifically the “Made in Saudi Arabia” program launched by the Saudi Export Development Authority, which aims to localize industries and enhance the global standing of Saudi products. The Technical and Vocational Training Corporation plays a pivotal role in this context by developing human resources, particularly women, to be active participants in the labor market and capable of providing innovative industrial and technological solutions that serve the local economy.
Competition details and participants
The two-day final stage witnessed fierce competition among fifteen teams that had successfully qualified following the conclusion of the hackathon's preparatory phase. This preparatory phase included an intensive series of workshops focused on enhancing the participants' readiness and developing their skills in vital areas such as technology, innovation, advanced crafts, and environmental sustainability concepts.
Judging mechanism and hackathon outcomes
The final stage of the competition involves the qualifying teams attending the college campus, where they participate in practical, in-person workshops and undergo rigorous project evaluation and discussion sessions before a specialized judging panel. This panel comprises leading experts and specialists in technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship, ensuring the projects are of high quality and commercially viable.
Expected impact on entrepreneurship
This hackathon is expected to foster a culture of self-employment and entrepreneurship among female trainees at the Technical College by transforming theoretical ideas into prototypes and tangible products that reflect Saudi identity. The event also promotes teamwork and creative problem-solving, thus supplying the Saudi labor market with qualified women capable of competing and contributing to the GDP, thereby achieving sustainable development for the Madinah region and the Kingdom as a whole.
