The first day of the 1st Innovation and Entrepreneurship Conference in Saudi Universities, organized by King Abdulaziz University under the theme “Idea, Invention, Impact,” featured three scientific sessions and 13 specialized workshops. The event brought together researchers and experts from academic institutions, national bodies, and international think tanks.

Discussions addressed topics such as the economic impact of university-based startup accelerators, the development of performance metrics to enhance sustainability, and the role of generative artificial intelligence in fostering innovation and student creativity within higher education.

Other sessions examined the latest practices in academic innovation, AI-driven entrepreneurial opportunities in global supply chains, and the influence of entrepreneurial leadership in institutional excellence.

Workshops included “From Idea to Market,” which outlined pathways for launching startups within university ecosystems, and “Leadership in Research and Innovation,” which focused on transforming research outputs into economically impactful products.

An interactive session titled “Silent Entrepreneurship” explored the challenges of delivering entrepreneurship education to students with hearing impairments, offering inclusive solutions. Additional sessions included hands-on training in financial literacy and investment awareness.

In the applied innovation track, participants examined opportunities and challenges in the water sector, emerging water technologies, and the role of AI in driving entrepreneurship and scalable innovation.

The conference continued into its second day with new sessions and workshops, furthering its mission to support research, spark innovation, and drive the development of the knowledge economy. The day featured contributions from prominent local and international speakers.