Saudi Crown Prince unveils
KAUST's groundbreaking strategy for economic innovations
In a significant
stride towards economic advancement, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Prime
Minister, and chairman of the King Abdullah University of Science and
Technology (KAUST) Board of Trustees, has unveiled a fresh strategy aimed at
reshaping the university's role as a beacon of knowledge. This transformative
approach focuses on fostering innovation that yields economic value, aligning
seamlessly with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 goals.
KAUST's evolution as a
knowledge beacon
The Crown Prince
inaugurated this groundbreaking strategy, marking a new era for KAUST. He
highlighted how the university has emerged as a distinguished research
institution, globally acclaimed for its innovations, faculty, and contributions
to research. The new strategy aims to propel KAUST towards becoming a catalyst
for inspiration and innovation, in line with the aspirations of Vision 2030.
Strategic priorities
for economic growth
Central to this
strategy is the reconfiguration of research into innovations that drive economic
progress. The university's focus areas encompass national research,
development, and innovation priorities, spanning health and well-being,
sustainable ecosystems, essential needs, energy leadership, and future
economies. By fostering collaborations with both public and private sectors,
KAUST aims to contribute significantly to the realization of Saudi Vision
2030's ambitions.
Initiatives driving economic
value
KAUST's strategy
revolves around three pivotal initiatives:
National
Transformation Institute for Applied Research (NTI): This institute is set to accelerate
technology advancement and commercialization, aligning with the nation's
economic diversification goals.
Research centers reconfiguration: Research centers will realign with Saudi
Arabia's research, development, and innovation priorities.
$200 million fund for investment: An investment fund of $200 million (SR750
million) will be established to bridge investment gaps in local and
international high-tech firms. This initiative is designed to stimulate
economic diversification and create quality technical employment opportunities.
Global Impact through collaborations
KAUST's strategy
emphasizes creating avenues for researchers, faculty, and students to generate
a global impact sustainably. The university's collaboration with NEOM for the
KAUST Reefscape Restoration Initiative exemplifies this approach. The
initiative is dedicated to nurturing and restoring coral reefs, showcasing
KAUST's commitment to impactful partnerships. Additionally, KAUST will
strengthen collaborations with renowned entities like Aramco, SABIC, ACWA Power,
IBM, Dow, and Boeing.
Fortifying global partnerships
The strategy places
significant emphasis on strengthening global partnerships and establishing
frameworks for collaboration with leading academic institutions and
technological pioneers worldwide. Notably, KAUST is forging strategic alliances
with prominent entities in Shenzhen, China, focusing on cutting-edge domains
like aerospace, robotics, and microelectronics.
Empowering the future
Through these
initiatives and strategic partnerships, KAUST seeks to fortify the higher
education ecosystem, nurture Saudi scientific pioneers, drive research and
innovation, and foster advanced technology startups. These endeavors will
enhance the nation's economic competitiveness and reinforce its status as an
innovation frontrunner on the global stage.
KAUST's legacy of excellence
Built upon a legacy of excellence, KAUST has consistently achieved remarkable feats since its inception. The university's world-leading rankings, its impact on prestigious scientific journals, and its graduates' contributions to global institutions underscore its commitment to driving progress. With this new strategy, KAUST is poised to continue its journey of transformative innovation and economic growth in alignment with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030.
Source: https://www.saudigazette.com.sa/
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