Johnson Controls Arabia concluded the first edition of the Industrial University Projects Hackathon in collaboration with the University of Jeddah on Thursday, 27 August 2026. The closing ceremony took place at the Rixos Hotel in King Abdullah Economic City, bringing together academic leaders and industrial specialists to review practical engineering solutions developed by university students.
The event also highlighted the recent milestones of the Ghadi Training and Development Program, an initiative designed to provide students and graduates with professional technical skills. University of Jeddah President Prof. Obaid Al-Mudhaff attended the ceremony alongside senior academic figures and executive leadership from the company.
Engineering Solutions and Academic Collaboration
The inaugural hackathon engaged approximately 50 engineering students from the University of Jeddah. Participating teams developed 18 engineering projects structured around operational challenges derived from real-world manufacturing environments, specifically connecting academic theory with active industrial processes.
The competition focused on two core disciplines: Mechanical Engineering and Industrial and Systems Engineering. The initiative aims to align engineering education with practical manufacturing standards across local facilities. In addition, organizers announced the launch of the second edition of the hackathon during the proceedings.
“This Hackathon demonstrated the value of strong collaboration between education and industry. Through the hackathon and our training and development initiatives, particularly the Ghadi Program, we continue to build sustainable partnerships with Saudi universities and help prepare a highly skilled generation of engineers and innovators capable of strengthening the competitiveness of Saudi industry and contributing to the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.”
Dr. Mohanad AlShaikh, Chief Executive Officer of Johnson Controls Arabia
Expansion of the Ghadi Training Program
The gathering reviewed the ongoing progress of the Ghadi Program, which consolidates non-employee training tracks across the organization. The name reflects the concept of personal and professional future development for young national talent entering the industrial workforce.
Since its inception, the initiative has trained over 350 Saudi nationals representing 26 public and private universities and educational institutions. During 2026 alone, the program trained more than 185 graduates, with management aiming to reach 300 trainees before the year concludes.
Workforce Integration and Long-Term Targets
Employment data indicates that more than 60 graduates secured full-time roles at the company out of more than 250 participants who completed the program. Participants specializing in engineering and technical disciplines represent 63% of the total intake across all cohorts.
Training pathways included over 100 cooperative training placements, 45 summer internships, and 39 participants under the Tamheer program, with training terms averaging four months. Looking toward future workforce development, the organization plans to expand total program beneficiaries to more than 1,500 trainees by 2030.
Industrial Initiatives at Johnson Controls Arabia
As part of its ongoing outreach to educational institutions, the YORK Manufacturing Complex is scheduled to receive its 10,000th student visitor by October 2026. These tours give engineering cohorts direct exposure to modern production lines and industrial facilities.
Both the hackathon and the Ghadi Program support human capital development and corporate social responsibility goals. Consequently, Johnson Controls Arabia continues to link educational outputs directly with the operational needs of the regional industrial economy.
