Innovation | Case study
KAUST
Background
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, otherwise known as KAUST, is a private research university of science and technology located in Saudi Arabia. The university is renowned by global benchmarks in innovation.
As they opened a new programme with the objective to nurture start up and innovation ideas and offering support with funding, mentors and expertise, the team at KAUST looked to source an online platform that would help them effectively collect and manage submissions.
“The freedom and amount of customisation that we could apply to the application process Submit.com was offering, we couldn’t find anywhere else.”
The system requirements
Prior to signing up with Submit.com, KAUST knew the type of the functionality they wanted in an online system. In essence, they wanted a system that would help them streamline their process but allow them to manage the data in a fragmented way.
The system in question would need to replicate their operational flow. In addition to this, other requirements included the system to be flexible and customisable as well as to be deployed at their quickest convenience. After extensive research and shortlisting four platforms, Submit.com came out on top as the winner due to the customization offering they had.
“After I presented the result of my findings to the colleagues and then within almost immediately, they understood that Submit was the most customisable one compared to the competition. The freedom and amount of customisation that we could apply to the application process Submit.com was offering, we couldn’t find anywhere else.”
Using Submit.com
As KAUST began their subscription to the Submit.com platform, it was not long until they realised how beneficial the system would be to them. The system was customisable to the point where KAUST could incorporate their own branding on their workspace. The functionality was more than what they bargained for as they learned of features such as Tagging, which would effectively help them with their segmentation, and File Upload which would remove the need for paperwork.
The biggest selling point to the team at KAUST was the level of support they received despite the geographical location. The Submit.com support team were always on hand to answer any queries the team had and schedule training calls with the team to ensure that KAUST were receiving the full experience of the system.
“We were open to having repeated demos whereas this was limited with other providers.”
Key Features Used
Creating an Innovation Portal during the COVID-19 pandemic
As the Covid-19 pandemic brought the world to a stop, Roberto Ciaramaria Head of Innovation at KAUST, pointed out how the university is working with Submit to create different ways to foster online collaboration and developing new ideas through a KAUST Covid Innovation Portal. With the help of Submit, KAUST has been able to ensure that the pandemic would not hinder its mission of supporting future scientific and technology collaborations and development.
“We are beginning our online entrepreneur programme which will attract upwards of 20,000 participants,” he told Submit. “This is very exciting in terms of nurturing the business success stories of the future.”
According to Ciaramaria, the online classes include mentorship from the staff at KAUST so that online students and entrepreneurs can have access to guidance despite not being able to meet in person. However, the program hopes to continue helping “plant the seeds of an ‘innovation ecosystem’ in the Kingdom” through a committed network of startups, entrepreneurs, investors and others, all committed to helping great entrepreneurial ideas succeed.”
A bright future with Submit.com
After a successful learning curve and implementation with their first online programme, KAUST is more knowledgeable about the benefits the system holds for them particularly as the system releases new features. One such feature is the VideoQ which provides the applicant with the chance to answer video interview question within the form by recording and submitting it in real-time. As our new normal due to COVID-19 brings us to the world of remote working, the VideoQ will prove to be a big asset to them as it will allow for a video pitch but in time will be used to carry out asynchronous interviews.
To continue advancing on technology development that will hopefully help the world through the pandemic, KAUST is also utilizing Submit’s innovation portal for its COVID-19 innovation challenge, and for its accelerator program applications.
We are beginning our online entrepreneur programme which will attract upwards of 20,000 participants. This is very exciting in terms of nurturing the business success stories of the future.
Get started today
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