Hajjathon 4 drives innovation in Hajj and Umrah services in Makkah

The fourth edition of "Hajjathon," organized by Umm Al-Qura University as part of the 26th Scientific Forum for Hajj, Umrah, and Visit Research in Makkah, has begun with the aim of encouraging innovators and creative thinkers to develop the Hajj and Umrah services ecosystem.

Hajjathon 4, now in its fourth year, is one of the forum’s accompanying events held under the theme "Excellence and Integration in Hajj and Umrah Services." It targets students, thinkers, researchers, and entrepreneurs to present innovative scientific solutions that keep pace with developments in the sector.

The event has reached its third stage, with qualified participants preparing to present their innovative projects before a panel of judges and experts in the final round. The aim is to evaluate the ideas and solutions and their contribution to improving services for pilgrims.

Strengthening integration between research and innovation

Hajjathon 4 seeks to enhance collaboration between academic, research, and operational entities, leveraging research, intellectual, and entrepreneurial capabilities to produce scalable solutions that support the role of scientific research and innovation in addressing challenges in the Hajj and Umrah ecosystem.

The challenge is one of the forum’s applied tracks, linking knowledge and scientific research with innovation, and providing participants with the opportunity to turn their ideas into projects aimed at improving the pilgrim experience and raising service standards.

Hajjathon 4 is organized as part of Umm Al-Qura University’s efforts, through the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research, to support scientific research and innovation and apply their outcomes to the Hajj and Umrah sector, strengthening the integration between academic knowledge and the sector’s practical needs.