Hyundai Motor Group and the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation (Misk) have concluded a two-week Urban Innovation Leadership Program in Seoul, bringing together members of the Saudi Leadership Society and alumni of Misk leadership programmes.
Held from September 7 to 18, the programme focused on urban innovation and emerging technologies, including smart cities, smart mobility, the hydrogen economy, digital twin technology and robotics.
Participants were jointly nominated and selected by Hyundai Motor Group and Misk Foundation as part of the organisations’ wider partnership on leadership development, knowledge exchange and innovation.
Programme combines learning and practical experience
The programme combined classroom sessions, site visits and collaborative workshops to give participants insights into South Korea’s approaches to urban development and technology.
Lectures covered areas including smart city strategies, autonomous mobility, the transition to a hydrogen economy and digital infrastructure development.
Participants also visited a Smart City Integrated Center, an autonomous vehicle test bed, hydrogen ecosystem facilities and other smart infrastructure sites to examine how emerging technologies are being implemented.
The group also visited Hyundai Motor Group’s innovation centres, where participants explored developments in smart cities, smart mobility, smart homes and digital platforms.
Focus on Saudi applications
The programme concluded with collaborative workshops where participants exchanged perspectives and explored how Korean approaches could be adapted to the Saudi context.
Discussions focused on potential applications across smart cities, mobility, energy and industrial solutions, with the programme linking the learning experience to the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
Hokeun Chung, Executive Vice President and Head of Future Strategy Division at Hyundai Motor Group, said the initiative reflected the Group’s commitment to supporting Saudi Vision 2030 through knowledge sharing on Korea’s policies, technologies and implementation experiences.
He said Saudi Arabia represented a long-term partner for Hyundai Motor Group and that the programme created a foundation for continued cooperation.
Strengthening Hyundai-Misk partnership
The initiative builds on a 2024 memorandum of understanding between Hyundai Motor Group and Misk Foundation, which focuses on areas including youth leadership development and innovation ecosystems.
Misk said the programme provided members of the Saudi Leadership Society with international exposure and perspectives relevant to their professional responsibilities and the Kingdom’s development priorities.
Torky Al-Sajjan, Executive Director of Development and Partnerships at Misk, said the initiative reflected the foundation’s focus on investing in Saudi leaders and expanding their access to international expertise.
The programme also created opportunities for participants to build professional relationships with Korean leaders and experts and continue knowledge exchange beyond the two-week programme.
Wider areas of cooperation
The partnership brings together Misk’s leadership ecosystem and understanding of Saudi Arabia with Hyundai Motor Group’s technology expertise and experience in Korean innovation.
The organisations said continued cooperation could support knowledge sharing and potential collaboration in areas including smart cities, smart mobility, hydrogen, robotics and digital infrastructure.
The initiative also forms part of broader efforts to develop leadership capabilities and support innovation aligned with Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification and technology development objectives.
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