The Transformation Office at King Saud University, in collaboration with the Deanship of Student Affairs through the Student Partnership Program, organized the “Transformation Hackathon” during the period from April 24 to 27, 2025. The event was held as part of the Leading from the Front program initiatives, which aim to empower the university community to actively contribute to the university’s institutional transformation journey.
The hackathon was organized to promote a culture of innovation and collaborative work, and to provide students, faculty members, staff, and alumni with an opportunity to present practical solutions that support development and transformation across the university. The initiative was launched through a clearly defined, phased plan that began with an official announcement during the “Our University” gathering, followed by opening registration, which attracted more than 2,000 applicants. Over 900 participants were then selected and distributed into multidisciplinary teams.
Prior to the competition phase, orientation sessions and a preparatory training bootcamp were conducted from April 18 to 20, 2025, aiming to enhance participants’ readiness and refine their ideas. The main hackathon phase took place from April 24 to 26, 2025, during which teams worked for more than 27 hours in a collaborative, innovation-driven environment. This phase resulted in the submission of more than 150 innovative ideas focused on service development, improving beneficiary experience, and enhancing the efficiency of university operations.
Teams competed across three main tracks representing the pillars of institutional transformation at the university: Academic Experience, University Operations, and University Life. The event concluded with the announcement of results on April 27, 2025, where winning teams were recognized and outstanding projects were honored, with total prizes amounting to SAR 450,000, supported by more than 20 sponsoring organizations.
The winning projects showcased innovative solutions in the areas of smart education, operational improvement, and quality of university life. Notable projects included LexAI, an Integrated Innovation and Entrepreneurship Platform, and Daleelah, reflecting the diversity of ideas and their anticipated impact in supporting the university’s transformation journey.
The “Transformation Hackathon” reaffirms King Saud University’s commitment to fostering institutional innovation, empowering its community, and strengthening a culture of participation in decision-making, in support of achieving sustainable transformation and development goals.