The Digital Innovation Unit empowers a culture of institutional innovation by exploring challenges, generating creative solutions, harnessing emerging technologies, and building effective partnerships both internally and externally. The unit serves as the primary engine for driving excellence in the university’s services and operations, and it catalyzes community engagement in co‑designing the university’s digital future.
| Item | Details |
| Unit Name | Digital Innovation Unit |
| Supervising Organization | Vice Presidency / General Administration of Information Technology |
| Location in the Organizational Structure | Organizationally affiliated with the General Administration of Information Technology |
| Supervisory Duties | The Unit Director is responsible for strategic leadership and oversight of all unit activities, ensuring alignment with the objectives of the General Administration of Information Technology and the university’s digital transformation objectives. Periodic reports are submitted to the Director General of Information Technology, and the unit is linked to internal cross‑functional teams (Digital Transformation Project Management – Enterprise Architecture – Digital Services Management – Beneficiary Relations Management). And external partners (Innovation & Entrepreneurship Accelerator). |
| Innovative Digital Solutions Development Department | Analyze challenges and translate them into innovative technical solutions. Design and develop prototypes. Collaborate with IT departments to implement solutions. |
| Ideas and Initiatives Management Department | Receive, sort, and evaluate ideas via innovation platforms. Manage the ideas and initiatives portfolio. Track, manage, and approve initiative implementation stages. |
| Emerging Technologies and Digital Experiences Department | Track the latest technologies and assess adoption feasibility. Establish sandbox environments to pilot new technologies. Provide technical advisory to departments and projects. |
| Partnerships and Innovation Events Department | Build strategic partnerships with external entities and research & innovation centers. Organize hackathons, challenges, and forums. Coordinate with Public Relations to promote innovation. |
- Enable institutional innovation by creating a work environment that supports digital creativity and the adoption of innovative solutions.
- Support digital transformation through the development of innovative digital services and products that enhance institutional performance efficiency.
- Stimulate community participation—from students, employees, and external partners—to generate and develop creative ideas.
- Leverage emerging technologies (such as Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, Augmented Reality, and Blockchain) to develop high‑value solutions.
- Manage the digital innovation portfolio to ensure initiatives and projects align with the university’s priorities and strategy.
- Build strategic partnerships with external entities and innovation centers to strengthen innovation capabilities and enable knowledge transfer.
- Develop the university’s digital innovation strategy and oversee its implementation.
- Establish governing policies for digital innovation within the university.
- Support the adoption of emerging technologies to enhance the quality of academic and administrative services.
- Foster an open‑innovation environment in collaboration with students, faculty members, and the community by organizing competitions, hackathons, and workshops.
- Coordinate and execute digital innovation projects (hackathons, accelerators, and innovative digital pilots).
- Build partnerships with technology entities and specialized innovation centers to support digital transformation.
- Study operational challenges and provide innovative digital solutions in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
- Evaluate innovative digital transformation initiatives and projects.
- Assess the impact of digital innovation initiatives using approved key performance indicators (KPIs).
- Evaluate operational and technical risks of innovation initiatives prior to implementation.
- Provide technical recommendations for developing digital solutions before their pilot release.
- Support the development of technology products that are ready for piloting or commercialization.
- Raise awareness and contribute to building innovation skills.
| No. | Service Name | Description | Beneficiary Category |
| 1 | Request to Evaluate an Innovation Initiative/Project | This service enables university entities (e.g., deanships, departments, centers) to submit innovation‑ or technology‑oriented initiatives/projects to the Digital Innovation Unit for a comprehensive professional assessment covering innovation analysis, technical evaluation, institutional impact, and feasibility, followed by an official recommendation to support, further develop, or not proceed with the initiative/project. | University entities |
| 2 | Submit Innovative Proposals and Ideas | A service that allows all university affiliates or beneficiaries from the local community to share innovative ideas related to services, processes, or improving the user experience; ideas are assessed, categorized, and appropriate feedback is provided. | Faculty members – Students – Staff – Local community |
| 3 | Request Approval to Organize a Digital Innovation Event | This service is offered to university entities seeking to organize an innovation event or activity (e.g., workshops, hackathons, forums, exhibitions, or technology challenges) to promote digital innovation concepts within the university community. | University entities |
Service: Request to Evaluate an Innovative Initiative/Project
