The Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Umm Al-Qura University today, Saturday, announced the Best Innovative Idea Award for conducting practical lectures remotely. This was the outcome of the competition held by the institute for faculty members with the aim of enriching knowledge content in innovative and creative ways.

The winning idea was presented by Dr. Inas Al-Wafi, from the Department of Curricula and Instruction, and deals with the use of "UQULab" simulation and virtualization software for distance education. This aims to give the faculty members an opportunity to explain subjects creatively, and enable students to conduct scientific experiments in an electronic interactive environment.

The competition included the participation of 57 faculty members from 21 different departments, and witnessed intense competition with regard to the distinctive ideas presented. There were three stages in the competition. Among the distinctive ideas presented in the competition was the idea of Dr. Muhammad Al-Omari from the Department of Physics, which dealt with some lab experiments performed at home and how they can be implemented using smartphones and some household appliances. Prof. Wael Al-Amoudi, from the Department of Biology, presented a distinguished idea; it involved conducting a virtual laboratory experiment through e-learning and distance education using the concept of simulation.