King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) has welcomed 30 talented students, including 18 Saudis, for the inaugural launch of its new Master’s program in Technical Innovation and Entrepreneurship (TIE). The program aims to cultivate a culture of innovation and lifelong learning by equipping students with the necessary knowledge and guidance to transform research innovations into viable, marketable products and services.
The 16-month program blends in-depth technical development with entrepreneurial training, allowing students to lead innovative projects and establish startups. The curriculum focuses on project-based learning, providing students with hands-on experience in diverse technical fields such as design thinking, product design, rapid prototyping, artificial intelligence and machine learning, and robotics, as well as key entrepreneurial aspects like idea generation, market feasibility analysis, product validation, and business planning.
The program further strengthens the integrat
ion of multidisciplinary expertise, data-driven decision-making, and strategic acumen in the business world. It also encourages public-private partnerships and supports the growth of startups and small-to-medium enterprises. Students will receive their education at the Sulaiman Al Habib Innovation and Entrepreneurship Institute, KAUST’s advanced business incubator opening this year, where they will collaborate with leading tech companies, incubators, and entrepreneurs, including InnoX Academy, which boasts an 80% startup survival rate and a 15% success rate.
As part of the program, students will have the opportunity to visit Shenzhen, China, known as the “Silicon Valley of the East.” KAUST has been at the forefront of establishing connections with Shenzhen’s innovation ecosystem, as the Kingdom is a strategic partner. The TIE program exemplifies KAUST’s dedication to bridging the gap between academia and industry through international collaborations, creating a continuous pipeline of talented individuals wh
o can drive economic diversification and impactful innovations in the Kingdom.
The program reflects KAUST’s commitment to linking academic spheres with industry through global partnerships, contributing to a sustained supply of talent that supports the goals of economic diversification and promising innovations in the Kingdom. It aligns with various initiatives under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, working closely with ministries and industries to inspire students to find innovative solutions to the Kingdom’s most pressing challenges.
“This program is an extension of KAUST’s efforts to transform innovations into commercial products and provide an educational environment that empowers individuals to turn great ideas into successful ventures,” said Mechanical Engineering Professor and TIE Program Director at KAUST, Professor Amer Farouk. “The TIE program will play a significant role in enhancing innovation in the Kingdom.”
Professor Mikael Dubray, an Entrepreneurship Lecturer at KAUST, further explained that
individuals with advanced skills in science and engineering often face difficulties in transitioning their technical innovations into successful commercial projects. The TIE program at KAUST aims to address this critical gap by equipping students with the essential knowledge and skills to develop a commercial vision that supports their technical progress, empowering them to confidently move from idea to impactful innovation.
Source: Saudi Press Agency