The Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Umm Al-Qura University today launched the "Foundations of Entrepreneurship" program, at King Abdulaziz supporting hall. There were 130 male and female students who participated in the event, being selected from among 600 applicants. The percentage of participating graduates was about 25%.

The program seeks to qualify participants, especially graduates, for the Saudi labor market, and help them establish their start-up companies as one of the future options highlighted in the Saudi Vision 2030.

The Dean of the Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Dr. Muwwaffaq Urijah, pointed out that the program will extend for ten weeks. It aims to educate participants in entrepreneurship, and to teach the entrepreneurial process, the proper steps in establishing various types of companies, and how to generate and evaluate ideas, develop studies and carry out the required tests, identify clients and reach them, and obtain funding from the concerned sources. The qualified teams will receive prizes worth a total of up to 100 thousand riyals.

Dr. Urijah explained, "The program will contribute to supporting the Saudi economy by providing jobs for the younger generations, in addition to supporting Makkah and its environs with regard to the organization of Hajj and Umrah." He also expressed his appreciation for the interest of His Excellency Prof. Abdullah bin Omar Bafail, President of Umm Al-Qura University, and the UQU Vice President for Development and Entrepreneurship, Dr. Hani bin Uthman Ghazi.

The program is envisaged to instill the spirit of initiative among the participants, and teach them the skills of teamwork, diction, building professional relationships, time management, project management, and how to create successful companies in the future.