Fahad Al-Harbi, president of the Saudi Academy of Civil Aviation
He attained a bachelor’s degree in international business administration from King Abdul Aziz University in 2008
In 2002, he joined Al-Khaleej Training and Education as a career development manager
Updated 04 April 2019
Arab News
Fahad Al-Harbi has been president of the Saudi Academy of Civil Aviation (SACA) at the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) since April 2016.
He attained a bachelor’s degree in international business administration from King Abdul Aziz University in 2008, and a postgraduate diploma in business administration and management in 2013. He also attained many diplomas, including in management, networking, IT and Microsoft.
Speaking at the 2019 Global Aviation Summit in Riyadh, Al-Harbi said there had been a surge in women training in interpersonal skills, aviation security and air traffic control.
SACA was founded in 1962 as one of GACA’s main subsidiaries to train air traffic controllers in Saudi Arabia.
“In the last year, SACA has witnessed a 72 percent increase in female trainees, from 172 in 2017 to 295 in 2018,” Al-Harbi said.
In 2002, he joined Al-Khaleej Training and Education as a career development manager. He worked in several positions in this company, including regional manager and vice president of development until June 2009.
Al-Harbi worked at Zidny Training and Development as general manager from June 2009 until February 2011.
He later joined the Saudi Electronics and Home Appliances Institute as executive director until June 2015.
Al-Harbi worked as vice president of commercial programs at BAE Systems Saudi Development and Training before he moved to the SACA in 2016.
Absher Hackathon finalists highlight scale of Saudi tech talent
World’s largest hackathon underscores growing national enthusiasm for tech innovation
Updated 14 December 2025
Ghadi Joudah
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s push to position itself as a global hub for digital innovation was on display this weekend as the Absher Tuwaiq Hackathon 2025 — billed as the world’s largest hackathon — concluded with the announcement of finalist teams competing for prizes totaling SR1 million ($266,000).
The three-day hackathon, organized by the Ministry of Interior in partnership with Tuwaiq Academy, brought together innovators from across the Kingdom to develop digital solutions aligned with the ministry’s digital transformation goals.
The finalist teams recognized for their projects were: Shadow, Wusool, Watheeq , Tanabbah, HRS, Ikhlaa, Amal, Mustabiq, Al‑Dahna, Inspire, Saqour Al‑Watan, Thaqib, Sawt Al‑Mustaqbal, Manee, and YS Advance International.
The finalists were announced at the end of the three-day Absher Tuwaiq Hackathon organized by the Ministry of Interior in partnership with Tuwaiq Academy. (AN photo/Supplied)
In addition to cash prizes, the competition offered SR450,000 in support from the National Technology Development Program, along with incubation opportunities at Invi Lab to help teams turn prototypes into market-ready products.
Tariq Al‑Hamid, official spokesperson for the Absher Conference, told Arab News that the hackathon has generated strong momentum nationwide.
This year’s event included more than 4,000 participants from all regions of the Kingdom — “a reflection of the growing national enthusiasm for digital innovation,” he said.
HIGHLIGHT
The Absher Tuwaiq Hackathon brought together innovators from across the Kingdom to develop digital solutions aligned with the ministry’s digital transformation goals.
According to Al‑Hamid, the 2025 event was structured around four specialized tracks: digital identity and security applications; artificial intelligence for predictive and proactive security; Internet of Things applications supporting field operations; and innovations to enhance or expand services on the Absher Platform.
Tariq Al-Hamid (center) said that the hackathon’s impact extends beyond prize money. (Supplied)
He added that this focused approach allowed participants “to present high‑quality ideas and advanced prototypes at levels comparable to international competitions.”
Participants also took part in more than 80 training programs delivered by global partners including Google Cloud, Meta, NVIDIA, and Huawei, an experience Al-Hamid said significantly strengthened both the competition and participants’ skills.
Al-Hamid said that the hackathon’s impact extends beyond prize money. “More important than the cash reward is the opportunity to turn creative ideas into real products that make an impact on citizens, residents, and visitors.”
Standout participants often attract the attention of leading national technology companies seeking new talent, he added.
Participation was open to individuals and teams from across Saudi Arabia, from high school students to industry professionals, highlighting the inclusivity of the event and the breadth of the Kingdom’s innovation ecosystem.
The hackathon forms part of the wider Absher Tuwaiq initiative, a core pillar of the upcoming Absher Conference 2025, which will empower more than 100,000 participants across seven technical tracks in 16 cities, in partnership with 20 local and international organizations.
The conference, organized by the Ministry of Interior and Tuwaiq Academy, sponsored by Elm Company and held in strategic partnership with the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority, will take place in Riyadh from Dec. 17 -19.
The event will showcase national digital innovations and reinforce Saudi Arabia’s role in global technology.
