Concluding the Prototype Development Camp
date of publication : 2019-04-02Concluding the Prototype Development Camp at Taif University, organized by Monsha’at
The Small & Medium Enterprises General Authority (Monsha’at) concluded the activities of the 10-day Prototype Development Camp at Taif University to qualify and train the university's youth and the Taif community in the field of entrepreneurship. More than 65 participants took part in the pilot projects, who were trained to build the prototype of their products as well as carry out and develop all the necessary studies and ways to attract investors. During the camp new groups were formed, and projects were merged together in order for the pilot project to become more powerful and efficient to enter the market and competition.
At the end of the camp, ten pilot projects were selected for the final competition. Three projects won, and the winners were honored. At the end of the camp, there was a dialogue session in which the General Supervisor of the Saudi Forum for Emerging Companies at Makkah Techno Valley Dr. Talal Al-Maghrabi talked about the role of universities, establishments and entrepreneurs in supporting entrepreneurship and student projects. He stressed the need for integrated work between universities and relevant facilities to utilize and convert scientific wealth and research projects into pilot projects or to be taught in universities as case study models.
Sultan Al-Sharif, SME's Entrepreneurship Specialist, spoke about the role of Monsha’at and the services that can be provided to entrepreneurs and how the university environment can contribute to the production of pilot projects in collaboration with Monsha’at. Hind Bdaiwi presented her pioneering project “A Sprinkle of Joy” and talked about the main obstacles she faced, and how she benefited from the programs provided by the Chamber of Commerce. She urged the participants in the camp to continue training and to develop their skills.
The head of TU Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Dr. Sattam Al-Otaibi explained that the Prototype Camp was able to achieve its objectives of qualifying and training young entrepreneurs and improving their skills and development. Dr. Al-Otaibi said that the pilot projects in the camp have developed according to the requirements of the Saudi market, creating a competitive environment and providing job opportunities that may help achieve Saudi Vision 2030. Al-Otaibi also thanked the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority for choosing Taif University to be the first launch of the Prototype Development Camp in collaboration with Saudi universities. Al-Otaibi thanked TU President Dr. Husam bin Abdulwahhab Zaman for his support of the Prototype Camp, under the supervision of Vice President Prof. Turki Al-Thubaiti, who put all on-campus capabilities at the disposal of the camp.