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Serve People with Special Needs,” marking the first scientific research chair of its kind based on a patent aimed at transferring technology from academic research into practical application and community service. The chair focuses on developing advanced technological solutions to empower individuals with hearing and visual disabilities.
The chair is centered on a wireless tactile communication device designed to convert audio content into perceptible vibration patterns, enabling users to perceive sounds through the sense of touch. The innovation aims to empower deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, among others, to engage sensorially with educational content—most notably the learning and recitation of the Holy Qur’an—through an innovative tactile method that enhances comprehension and interaction with recitation and Tajweed.
The project responds to the growing need for more advanced assistive technologies. According to data from the General Authority for Statistics and the Authority for the Care of Persons with Disabilities, the number of individuals with hearing and visual disabilities in the Kingdom exceeds half a million, highlighting the significant societal impact anticipated from this innovation.
The patent application has been filed with the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property, has successfully passed the formal examination stage, and is currently under substantive review, paving the way for applied development, manufacturing, and technology transfer for practical use. The project aims to develop the product for implementation in educational environments and rehabilitation centers, with future plans to utilize it at the Prophet’s Mosque Library and other entities associated with Qur’anic education and support services for persons with disabilities.
The multidisciplinary research team behind the project includes:
• Dr. Badr bin Hamza bin Ahmed Badiri, Assistant Professor, College of Engineering, Taibah University.
• Dr. Saud bin Mohammed Al-Wasli, Associate Professor, King Abdulaziz University.
• Dr. Hattan bin Fahd Abu Tarboush, Associate Professor, Taibah University.
• Dr. Omar Farooq Siddiqui, Professor, Taibah University.
• Dr. Mohammed Amin Mohammed Sharif, Professor, Taibah University.
The research chair is supported by the endowment of Mr. Ali Al-Shorbini for a period of three years. The support includes funding for associated scientific publications, accelerating intellectual property protection procedures, and facilitating technology transfer toward commercial manufacturing and transformation into a community-ready product. This model integrates scientific research, philanthropy, and community development, aligning with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 in empowering persons with disabilities and enhancing quality of life. It is also expected to play a significant role in advancing Qur’anic education through innovative tactile technologies serving communities locally and globally.