Al-Mukalla | 20 November 2025 | Hadhramout Media
The Governor of Hadhramout, Mr. Mabkhout Mubarak Bin Madi, inaugurated today in Al-Mukalla the activities of the “First Hackathon for Entrepreneurship and Innovation,” organized by Hadhramout University, represented by the Vice Presidency for Student Affairs, during the period from 20 to 26 November 2025.
The Governor, accompanied by Prof.Dr. Mohamed Saeed Khanbash, President of Hadhramout University, and Engineer Hisham Mohamed Al-Saidi, Assistant Deputy Governor, toured the hackathon pavilions held at the Dr. Ali Hood Baabad Hall at the Presidency of Hadhramout University. They reviewed models of creativity and technological projects designed to enrich the labor market with promising ideas and plans to transform them into start-ups.
The Governor listened to Prof. Dr. Salem Mubarak Al-Obathani, Vice President of the University for Student Affairs, who explained the components and objectives of the First Entrepreneurship Hackathon. The hackathon serves as a comprehensive and intensive platform aimed at transforming students’ and graduates’ entrepreneurial ideas into tangible projects by providing support, training, and direct linkage to the labor market and investment opportunities.
The event also seeks to promote a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation within the university, empowering young generations to develop their skills and become project leaders rather than job seekers.
Governor Bin Madi conveyed greetings from His Excellency President Dr. Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi, Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council, along with members of the Council and the Government, to the leadership, faculty, and students of Hadhramout University.
He emphasized that organizing this hackathon is a declaration that Hadhramout University has positioned itself at the forefront of the scientific and creative landscape. He praised the University’s enlightening role in serving society by supporting graduates, providing essential training, and connecting them to labor market and investment networks.
The Governor further noted that the local authority in Hadhramout places education at the top of its priorities, highlighting its commitment to general, vocational, and higher education alike, based on the belief that human development is the foundation of sustainable progress.
Mr. Bin Madi concluded his remarks by commending the exceptional efforts of Prof. Dr. Mohamed Saeed Khanbash, the faculty members, and the university staff. He pointed to the University’s recent achievements in prestigious rankings and its success in strengthening regional and international academic relations through agreements and knowledge exchange. He affirmed that these efforts guarantee educational outcomes aligned with labor market needs and pledged continued support for Hadhramout University to sustain its pioneering and enlightening role.
For his part, Prof. Dr. Mohamed Saeed Khanbash, President of Hadhramout University, confirmed that the First Entrepreneurship Hackathon aims to achieve six main objectives, most notably: Supporting graduates through specialized workshops, Providing guidance and mentorship for entrepreneurial projects via the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Encouraging competitive motivation, Linking entrepreneurs with investors, and Building extensive professional networks
The hackathon includes the presentation of approximately 40 entrepreneurial projects and 50 productive units, displays of patent certificates, competitions to select the most promising projects, and accompanying events such as a seminar on Artificial Intelligence in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and a workshop on “Money Laundering.”
Additionally, the Governor and the University President inaugurated the Center for Entrepreneurial Projects and Innovation at the Vice Presidency for Student Affairs. The Center’s mission is to enhance innovation and entrepreneurship among students and graduates, offering services through core units including a business incubator, a productive units pavilion, and a funding facility for entrepreneurial projects.
During the event, memoranda of understanding were signed between Hadhramout University and the Hadhramout Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Al-Amal Foundation for Training and Entrepreneurship, and the Small and Micro Enterprise Development Agency, to coordinate efforts in training, qualification, and support for entrepreneurial projects. Another memorandum was signed with the Youth Without Borders Organization to operate the Youth Services Center at the University.
The event was attended by Prof. Dr. Abdullah Saleh Babair, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Prof. Dr. Salem Faraj Bamsaud, Vice President for Postgraduate Studies and Scientific Research, along with several faculty members of the University.