SADAFCO Marketing Hackathon concluded between Saudi Dairy and Foodstuff Company (SADAFCO) and King Abdulaziz University. The event involved 30 students addressing real business challenges in snacks and culinary categories. Final presentations occurred on 8 February 2026 at the university.
SADAFCO Marketing Hackathon Details
Students formed teams to develop marketing solutions for SADAFCO’s needs. They focused on two tracks: Snacks Category and Culinary Category. Moreover, participants practiced problem-solving, teamwork, and idea presentation in business contexts. The judging panel included representatives from both SADAFCO and King Abdulaziz University.
Judges evaluated concepts based on strength, creativity, and practicality. As a result, awards went to winning teams in each category. Specifically, the event highlighted collaboration between academia and industry.
Statements from SADAFCO Officials
“At SADAFCO, developing future talent is a long-term commitment. This hackathon gave students direct exposure to real business cases, helping them strengthen practical marketing skills through hands-on learning.”
Nadia Malaika, Chief Human Resources Officer at SADAFCO
“We believe the best learning happens through experience. Working on real SADAFCO challenges helped students build problem-solving and teamwork skills, and it also showed how strong ideas come from understanding real market needs.”
Nahla Abu Alulala, Associate Director, People Experience at SADAFCO
Views from King Abdulaziz University Faculty
“At King Abdulaziz University, we are committed to bridging academic learning with real market needs. Collaborations like this hackathon allow our students to apply classroom knowledge in real business contexts, supporting our vision of producing industry-ready graduates who can contribute from day one.”
Dr. Aqeel Kadasah, Assistant Professor, King Abdulaziz University
“Our students consistently demonstrate strong creativity, discipline, and commercial awareness when given the right platform. Initiatives like this hackathon highlight the quality of talent at King Abdulaziz University and the value of engaging students in real-world business challenges.”
Dr. Abrar Khayyat, Assistant Professor, King Abdulaziz University
Winning Teams and Awards
The Culinary – Sauces category winner was team [local lens], with students Samar Omar Khan, Sadeem Khalid AlBathi, Dania Abdulaziz Alshareef, Diala Farid Nizam Aldin Mohammedhussein, and Saja Abdulraouf Al-Sahli. Meanwhile, the Convenient Snacking category winner was team [CrispUp], featuring students Bayan Bosaed, Raghad Zayed, Jood Jameel Noorah, Sarah Abdullah Alhelais, and Orjwan Talal Alsobhi. Consequently, the event underscored experiential learning benefits.
SADAFCO, headquartered in Jeddah, produces dairy and food products under the Saudia brand since 1976. The company operates across 24 locations in Saudi Arabia and exports to GCC and MENA markets. In addition, such partnerships align with education initiatives supporting workforce development.
Background on Collaborators
King Abdulaziz University focuses on linking academic programs to market demands. Furthermore, SADAFCO leads in tomato paste, ice cream, and milk production in Saudi Arabia. These efforts contribute to economy growth through skilled graduates.
Future Outlook
Similar collaborations may expand to prepare more students for industry roles. Notably, they support Saudi Vision 2030 goals in education and private sector engagement. As a result, events like the SADAFCO Marketing Hackathon foster practical skills essential for the job market.