The UQU President, Prof. Moaddi bin Muhammad Aal Madh-hab, in his office today, honored the “Digital Tajweed” and “Dorri” team members who won awards in the competition of “Makkah Days for Programming and Artificial Intelligence”. This competition was one of the initiatives of the Makkah Cultural Forum, held two weeks ago in the Jeddah Super Dome under the patronage of His Royal Highness the Advisor of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Emir of Makkah Province, Prince Khalid Al-Faisal.

The “Digital Tajweed” application aims to automate the surveillance of the grouping of pilgrims on Al-Jamarat Bridge in three phases, using artificial intelligence techniques. The “Dori” application aims to decrease the lighting costs for spaces designated for walking and playgrounds. This is implemented by utilizing the kinetic energy released in these spaces and using Pavegen tiles, which convert kinetic energy to electric energy in the areas that most consume electricity.

The UQU President, Prof. Moaddi bin Muhammad Aal Madh-hab, asserted that the university is interested in investing in people and developing the students' skills in various fields, employing the modern techniques and cutting-edge technologies available in the university and at the Fabrication and Modeling Laboratory at the Wadi Makkah Technology Company. In addition, the university supports the students' ideas, developing them to use on the ground, with the follow-up of specialized academic supervisors. The UQU President also highlighted the great support that the university receives from the wise leadership (may Allah support them) as well as the keenness of His Excellency the Minister of Education and His Excellency the Deputy Minister for Universities, Research and Innovation to develop the academic programs and to qualify its outcomes for international competitions in entrepreneurship.

The honoring ceremony was attended by the UQU Vice President for Educational Affairs, Dr. Amer Al-Zaidi, the UQU Vice President for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Dr. Ali Al-Shaeri, the Dean of the College of Computer and Information Systems, Dr. Saud Al-Otaibi, the Vice Dean of the College of Computer and Information Systems, Dr. Ahd Al-Jarf, the Dean of the Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Dr. Muwaffaq Urijah, and the Chief Executive Officer of Wadi Makkah for Technology, Engineer Amin Yamani, along with a number of the parents of the honored female students.

It is noteworthy that the university participated with five teams in this competition which included various steams for the techniques utilized in Hajj and Umrah, services, tourism, and entertainment. The five streams consisted of 20 students from the bachelor's and postgraduate phases. During this competition, the students presented technological suggestions for entrepreneurial ideas that promote the concept of a Smart Makkah and support the national efforts exerted in serving the Makkah Region, with the participation of the relevant universities and entities. The “Digital Tajweed” and “Dorri” applications won second place within the “Hajj and Umrah” and “Services” streams.