• Two years of continuous work and engineering excellence lead Saudi students to the ranks of the world's top university teams.

• The initiative contributes to developing national competencies in marine technologies and supporting the blue economy in the Kingdom

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – Johnson Controls Arabia, a global leader in smart building technologies, sustainability, and energy efficiency solutions, celebrated the achievement of a team of students from King Abdulaziz University who secured seventh place among 35 university teams from around the world at the 2026 MATE ROV World Championship. This achievement followed the conclusion of the international underwater robotics competition held in Canada. The team also became the first university team from the Gulf region to reach this stage of the championship, marking an unprecedented regional accomplishment in one of the world's most challenging student engineering competitions.
Over a two-year journey, and with the support of Johnson Controls Arabia, the Red Sea Rovers team designed and built a state-of-the-art remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV), along with developing its control system. This journey culminated in representing Saudi Arabia in an international competition, alongside elite university teams from around the world.
The MATE ROV competition brings together university teams from around the world to design, build, and operate underwater robots, aiming to find solutions to real-world challenges in marine engineering and ocean exploration. The competition serves as a global platform for developing future talent by fostering engineering design skills, problem-solving abilities, innovative thinking, and entrepreneurship.

This achievement is particularly significant given the growing role of maritime technologies in supporting economic growth and fostering innovation. With Jeddah hosting the largest port in Saudi Arabia, remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs) stand out as a vital technology supporting infrastructure and marine facility inspections, maintenance, scientific research, and environmental monitoring. Developing national expertise in this field also contributes to supporting the blue economy and strengthening its future in the Kingdom.

Dr. Muhannad Al-Sheikh, CEO of Johnson Controls Arabia, said: “Seeing this team representing the Kingdom on the global stage has been a source of pride for all of us. This achievement is the fruit of hard work, a spirit of curiosity, and a determination to succeed. These students have proven what young Saudi engineers can achieve when given the opportunity to innovate, face real-world engineering challenges, and compete internationally. We are proud to be part of their journey.”

As part of its ongoing efforts to develop national talent, Johnson Controls Arabia has reached more than 10,000 students through educational partnerships, field visits to the York Industrial Estate, hackathons, and technical learning programs, with the aim of introducing Saudi youth to career opportunities in the fields of engineering, advanced manufacturing, sustainability, and smart building technologies.

This initiative aligns with the company's corporate social responsibility and sustainability strategy, which prioritizes education, innovation, and community empowerment. Through impactful initiatives like "Future Makers," Johnson Controls Arabia continues to contribute to developing and empowering the next generation of engineers and innovators across the Kingdom.

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