Namar Al-Juhani and Omar Al-Tahawi, graduates of the College of Engineering at the University of Business and Technology, along with their five-member team, have qualified for the second stage of the first edition of the Energy Hackathon 2026, organized by the Ministry of Energy in Riyadh from October 7 to 13, 2026 — a step both described as an important milestone in their research experience that boosted their enthusiasm to continue working on and developing their idea.
Al-Juhani and Al-Tahawi said their participation in the hackathon comes as part of a five-member team aiming to apply their engineering and research knowledge in a vital sector linked to the Kingdom's future. They noted that their qualification for the second stage came through a research submission they presented, and that developing ideas requires testing them, reviewing the assumptions they are based on, benefiting from feedback, and relying on evidence to reach more mature proposals.
The two graduates explained that specialized hackathons serve as a link between academic knowledge and real-world needs, allowing young people to understand challenges more deeply, think about solutions that support resource efficiency and sustainability, and test their ideas in an environment that encourages research and innovation. They stressed that providing opportunities for young people and creating a supportive environment for their ideas are two fundamental factors in turning ambitions into achievements.
Al-Juhani and Al-Tahawi pointed out that their experience aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which promotes investment in people and the development of their capabilities, and that their participation represents an extension of their educational journey at the College of Engineering. They added: "We learned that the success of teamwork depends on distributing tasks, listening to different opinions, and reviewing ideas in light of evidence." They affirmed their determination to continue working in the upcoming stages of the hackathon and expressed their hope that their experience will encourage more Saudi youth to embark on innovative endeavors and put forward their ideas.