KAUST and KACARE have signed an MoU to strengthen scientific collaboration in renewable energy, hydrogen, AI, and innovation. The MoU aims to accelerate the adoption of sustainable technologies and the development of prototypes. The agreement includes joint educational and training programs and support for entrepreneurship. Why it matters: This partnership will foster sustainable energy innovation and contribute to Saudi Arabia's national development goals in alignment with Vision 2030.
KAUST and K.A.CARE have partnered to study solar irradiation and atmospheric weather conditions in Saudi Arabia, leveraging K.A.CARE's Renewable Resources Atlas Project. The collaboration uses KAUST's Shaheen II supercomputer to simulate weather and atmospheric conditions from 2005-2018. The long-term goal is daily forecasting of weather and air quality across the Arabian Peninsula. Why it matters: This initiative will provide crucial data for renewable energy development and environmental monitoring in the region, supporting Saudi Arabia's sustainability goals.
KAUST and King Abdulaziz University (KAU) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate and fund scientific research. The collaboration will focus on areas including cancer research, energy harvesting and storage, solar technology, renewable energy, and desert agriculture. The MoU was signed by Donal Bradley, KAUST VP for Research, and Yusuf Al Turki, KAU VP for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research. Why it matters: This partnership between two leading Saudi universities will help advance research and development in areas critical to Saudi Vision 2030.
Khaled Alsayegh at the King Abdullah International Medical Research Center is creating a Saudi Stem Cell Donor Registry, with 80,000 potential donors identified. The aim is to identify universal donors, reprogram their cells into induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, and create a gene bank for matched tissue transplants. Alsayegh is collaborating with Jesper Tegnér at KAUST to create pacemaker cells using single-cell RNA sequencing. Why it matters: This initiative could revolutionize precision medicine in KSA by providing readily available, matched cells for transplants, reducing the need for patient-specific reprogramming and improving treatment outcomes.
KAUST's Industry Collaboration Program (KICP) held its 16th Industry Advisory Board meeting, adding the Ministry of Health, GADD, KFSRC, and NEOM as new members. Since 2009, KICP has enabled $250 million in research funding and provided $138 million in consultancy services, hiring 426 KAUST students. KICP also announced a new three-year agreement with KACARE to expand joint research in energy, sustainability, and advanced systems and research projects with GADD. Why it matters: The expansion of KICP underscores KAUST's role in aligning research with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 by fostering collaboration between academia, government, and industry.
A smart bandage developed by KAUST's Associate Professor Atif Shamim and Ph.D. student Mohammed Farooqui won the IEEE MECAP’16 Best Paper Award. The smart bandage is a medical device that wirelessly communicates wound parameters and abnormalities to healthcare providers. It monitors the wound's recovery process. Why it matters: This recognition highlights the innovative research and development in healthcare technology emerging from Saudi Arabia.
KAUST and the King Salman Center for Disability Research (KSCDR) have signed an MoU to collaborate on the diagnosis, management, and treatment of disabilities affecting Saudi citizens and residents. The partnership will focus on neurodevelopmental conditions, learning disabilities, visual impairments, speech disorders, and mobility impairments. KAUST's Center of Excellence for Smart Health, launched on July 1, will be a key component, leveraging its supercomputing resources and genome sequencing capabilities. Why it matters: This partnership aims to address the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and disabilities in Saudi Arabia, aligning with national research priorities and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.
KAUST and King Abdulaziz University (KAU) have signed an MoU to boost collaboration in education, research, and professional development. The partnership will focus on applying AI to medical and clinical fields, leveraging KAU's medical infrastructure and KAUST's AI expertise. The agreement also involves developing academic programs in marine sciences and creating joint training opportunities. Why it matters: This collaboration between two leading Saudi universities aims to strengthen the Kingdom's higher education ecosystem and drive innovation in key fields like AI and healthcare, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030.