The Saudi Alzhiemer’s Disease Association (SADA) honored the young inventors at the “Future Scientist” exhibition organized by King Saud University.
“Supporting these young inventors is a way to show them that we appreciate their contribution to their country's development plan and their involvement in society's issues of concern,” said Vice President of SADA Princess Madawi bint Mohammad.
The team, composed of five young girls aged 14-18, did not want to give further details on the spectacles because they had not yet acquired a patent for their invention.
“All we can say now is that it helps improve the quality of life for the Alzheimer’s patient and his or her relatives,” said 18-year-old team leader and trainer Ragad Al- Thubaity.
“We have had enough of exhibitions that showcase women’s abilities in jewelry making, chocolate and abayas, and it is now time to show off other abilities and skills that contribute to economic development through inventions that save energy, use natural resources and so forth,” said the university’s Assistant Deputy Ibtisam Al-Olyan.
The exhibition was an opportunity to highlight the inventions of students and academic staff, pointed out Al-Olyan, adding King Saud University was recently adhering to the national trend to support high-level inventors and creators and focus their efforts in developing the country and a knowledge-based economy.
“We pay attention to, encourage and support not only the students and the academic staff, but also those who present their inventions from outside the university,” said Al-Olyan. The university takes the idea, secures the intellectual property and patents it through law firms, locally and internationally.
The idea is then forwarded to the university’s “Innovation Center,” which studies it and works with the inventor to turn it into a design that could then be made into a consumable product.
Eight projects were made a reality, said Al-Olyan, as King Saud University had established a SR160 million fund to support inventions and projects.
“Yet we still look for sponsors from the private and public sectors as not all projects can be sponsored by the university, and there are many,” added Al-Olyan.
Al-Olyan herself has also invented the “Soqya,” a gadget that works by using solar energy to cool water. The inner side is made of clay, Al-Olyan explained.
“Our ancestors used clay pots to cool off water naturally, therefore I used clay to preserve the coolness, and solar energy as a catalyst for the cooling procedure.”
The machine works by storing power generated to save energy, and at the same time help preserve the environment by using natural materials and reducing dependency on electricity.
Hanan Fouda, an MA pharmacology student, discovered while working with patients that they often forgot to take their medication on time, so she invented a simplified wristwatch with more than five timers to remind them when it was time to have their medicines.
However, she has been unable to find a sponsor as King Saud University is still studying the project. She added that she tried to produce one herself but discovered that one piece would cost her SR10,000, although it would cost less than SR50 if she manufactures it in China.
“Although I received an award from the King Abdul Aziz Foundation for Giftedness & Creativity for another invention, which turned x-ray sheets into silver, this new invention was rejected because there is already a similar one,” said Fouda, pointing out that her invention is for older people and in Arabic, and is not digital.
Shahad Al-Mogrin invented a system to protect homes from dust storms.
“The invention is installed during the construction process by putting in sensors that work when a storm approaches, automatically sealing doors and windows with bars and operating pipes that purify the air inside the house,” said Al-Mogren, adding that the Innovation Center has sponsored turning the project into a model, but sponsors for manufacturing and marketing it have proven difficult to find.