Official government website of the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
His Royal Highness Prince Dr. Faisal bin Meshal bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Al-Qassim region, sponsored the "Innovator 2022" exhibition, organized by Al-Qassim University in the main atrium of the university city. The event was attended by His Excellency Prof. Dr. Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al-Dawood, President of the University, and a number of directors of governmental entities in the region, as well as vice presidents and members of the University Council.
His Highness toured, during the opening of the exhibition, the various pavilions showcasing participation from 13 entities and 134 innovations. Their innovations and ideas can be transformed into products with economic and developmental returns. He praised the efforts of the innovative students under the university's roof. His Highness also honored the champions of the Saudi National Science and Engineering Team, who attended the exhibition's opening by invitation from the Deanship of Qassim University, in recognition of their achievement of 16 major international awards at "ISEF 2022".
His Highness the Emir of Al-Qassim region affirmed that innovators represent a pillar of this nation and a source of pride for us, and they always hold high the heads of the nation, the Arab world, and the Islamic world. His Highness also extended congratulations to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince – may God protect them – for this great achievement, "ISFF," which we witnessed a few days ago and what the students of the Kingdom achieved. His Highness explained that this occasion coincides with this achievement to confirm that the bet this country made on education since the era of the Founder King – may God have mercy on him – is paying off. His Highness pointed out that many do not know that scholarships began during the Founder's time to send students abroad to developed countries, and after years we have reached this achievement.
His Highness added that Qassim University has kept pace with the event through this exhibition, and that the university embraces all educational bodies in such exhibitions. His Highness suggested that there be a permanent exhibition for inventors, innovators, and creators at the Qassim Science Center in the Governorate of Unaizah to showcase everything undertaken by the sons and daughters of the nation in general and the region in particular, and for all visitors to see those inventions. His Highness affirmed that the center has become a tourist destination for those who wish to see the country's development, and it will be a scientific and civilized facade for everyone to see the creations of inventors and innovators from the sons of the nation. His Highness congratulated the esteemed President of the University and its staff for the efforts made in this distinguished exhibition.
His Highness also honored the participating entities in the exhibition, which are: Future University, Buraydah Colleges, Unaizah Colleges, the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property, the General Organization for Technical and Vocational Training in Qassim, King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity, in addition to the Education Department of Qassim Region, the Education Department of Unaizah Governorate, the Education Department of Al-Muznab Governorate, the Education Department of Al-Bukairiyah Governorate, and Qassim Science Center. A number of innovators who won local and international awards at the university from 2020 to 2022 were also honored, in addition to honoring the youngest male and female innovators who participated in the exhibition.
For his part, His Excellency Professor Dr. Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al-Dawood, President of the University, noted the strong support the university receives from the wise leadership – may God protect them – which spares no effort in supporting innovation and innovators and injecting more innovative projects into the national economy to achieve sustainable development and empower distinguished innovators and talents in scientific and technical fields. He pointed out that this exhibition is one of the university's initiatives to spread a culture of innovation, discover innovators in the region, foster talent, and refine expertise and creativity in line with the pillars of the Human Capacity Development Program by preparing students to compete in national and international forums.
Al-Dawood added that this exhibition represents a culmination of an effort that has lasted for more than eight months. During this period, the university targeted more than eleven educational sectors in the region, and it was crowned with the expertise and support of the relevant institutions in this field in the country, such as the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity, and the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property. He indicated that the number of innovations submitted reached 320 innovations, and the number of innovators exceeded 938 innovators, and 134 innovations were approved after their evaluation and comparison.
The President of the university affirmed that the continuous support the university receives from our wise government, the follow-up of His Highness the Prince of the esteemed region, and the efforts of male and female colleagues and university students have had a significant impact in the university recently achieving a number of awards and advanced positions locally and globally. Among the most prominent of these are its advancement in innovation to become (426 globally according to the Scimago classification), winning two medals at the Geneva Innovations Exhibition, in addition to winning first place in the University Innovation Challenge at the level of Saudi public and private universities and qualifying to participate in the Babson College program in the United States of America for Business Administration. It also won a number of projects and innovations at the level of Saudi universities under the patronage of the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority (Monsha'at).
Al-Dawood explained that the university extended an invitation to the sons and daughters of the nation who won several awards at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) to attend this exhibition and be honored in appreciation of these innovators. He congratulated them on this occasion and congratulated our wise government, our dear nation, and these heroes on this global achievement. He welcomed them as permanent members of the university. He also thanked the Prince of the region for honoring the exhibition and encouraging innovators and talented individuals. He also thanked the participants from all educational and training bodies and the exhibition organizers, wishing everyone continued success and creativity.
This exhibition aims to achieve the Ministry of Education's 2022 objectives by fostering talent, innovation, and refining expertise and creativity, keeping pace with national trends in accordance with the Kingdom's Vision 2030, as well as the Ministry of Education's aspirations. It also seeks to highlight the university's leading role in disseminating knowledge and enabling innovation, in addition to promoting essential and future skills in line with the pillars of the Human Capabilities Development Program. Furthermore, it encourages male and female students to showcase their scientific innovations, prepares them for participation in national communication forums, and provides an opportunity to learn about innovators and pioneers in the Qassim region.
The exhibition also includes a number of enrichment programs and workshops for the gifted and innovators on the role of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in developing and supporting talents and innovations, and the role of innovators towards their homeland. The exhibition also includes a consultation corner to provide qualitative consultations in the field of talent and innovation, in addition to showcasing innovators' experiences by holding dialogue sessions where innovators from various fields meet to present their experiences and expertise.
