KAUST and the Misk Initiatives Center signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand collaboration and achieve national development goals. The partnership focuses on academic and pre-professional development for Saudi students, entrepreneurial activities, and joint educational programs. Top students from Misk will be nominated for KAUST programs like SRSI, KGSP, and KSLP. Why it matters: This MoU signifies a strategic alignment between KAUST and Misk to cultivate Saudi talent and promote innovation, contributing to the Kingdom's Vision 2030.
KAUST is partnering with the MiSK Global Forum (MGF) to support the 2020 Entrepreneurship World Cup (EWC), hosting a bootcamp for finalists. Four of the six Saudi startups among the top 100 in the EWC global finals are from KAUST. The EWC is the world's largest entrepreneurship competition, attracting 175,000 applicants from 200 countries. Why it matters: This partnership provides KAUST-nurtured startups with significant global exposure and resources, strengthening the Saudi entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Dr. Tarek Ali Fadaak, a Shura Council member, discussed the importance of environmental balance and improved resource management in Saudi urban planning during a 2018 KAUST lecture. He highlighted challenges like insufficient and poorly utilized open spaces in Saudi cities, emphasizing the need for aesthetic improvements and more public spaces. Fadaak stressed the importance of investing in the education of Saudi youth to drive future development and address these urban planning challenges. Why it matters: This underscores the ongoing focus on sustainable urban development and the role of Saudi talent in shaping future cities within the Kingdom, aligning with Vision 2030 goals.
KAUST hosted a Global IT Summit. The summit featured speakers like Khaled Biyari, group CEO at the Saudi Telecom Company. Interviews from the summit are available on KAUST's official YouTube channel. Why it matters: The summit likely served as a forum for discussing IT trends and developments relevant to Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030.
KAUST will host 96 Entrepreneurship World Cup (EWC) finalists from 64 countries for an entrepreneurship bootcamp, in partnership with the Misk Global Forum (MGF). The finalists will receive training at KAUST to prepare for the EWC global finals at the MGF in Riyadh in November. Six of the finalists are from Saudi Arabia and are graduates of KAUST's entrepreneurship programs. Why it matters: This partnership strengthens Saudi Arabia's position as a hub for global entrepreneurship and aligns with its economic transformation goals by attracting international startups and talent.
KAUST Ph.D. student Nasir Alfaraj represented KAUST and Saudi Arabia at the 2018 Chicago Forum on Global Cities. The forum, hosted by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and The Financial Times, focused on solving global challenges. Alfaraj attended panels on water, food, and energy security, relevant to his research on UV light-emitting devices for water sterilization. Why it matters: This participation highlights KAUST's role in international dialogues on sustainability and showcases Saudi contributions to addressing global challenges.
KAUST will host its inaugural Future Forum in Riyadh on February 12-13, 2024, showcasing 15 years of KAUST's research and innovation. The forum aims to unite government, industry, investors, and academia, featuring panel discussions and an interactive exhibition with 47 speakers. The event will highlight KAUST's alignment with Saudi Arabia’s Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) agenda, which seeks to increase RDI investment to 2.5% of GDP. Why it matters: This forum signals KAUST's strategic pivot towards directly supporting Saudi Arabia's national development goals, potentially influencing the direction of AI research and funding in the Kingdom.
KAUST, KACST, and RDI co-organized the Future of Semiconductors Forum 2023, held at KAUST on May 15-18, featuring 36 speakers from leading research institutes, universities, and companies. Nobel Prize Laureate Dr. Shuji Nakamura and Minister of Investment Eng. Kahlid Al Falih headlined the event, emphasizing the importance of semiconductors in various sectors, including AI and renewable energy. NEOM's Dr. Donal Bradley highlighted the need for energy-efficient semiconductor innovations to support NEOM's vision and reduce carbon footprint. Why it matters: The forum underscores Saudi Arabia's commitment to becoming a global leader in semiconductor technology, fostering local expertise and attracting international investment in this critical sector.