KAUST Strengthens Saudi-Italian Scientific Cooperation During Riyadh Business Forum

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) has reinforced its position in global partnerships by enhancing Saudi–Italian cooperation in research, innovation, and advanced technology. This was highlighted during the Saudi–Italian Investment and Business Forum in Riyadh on November 25–26. The event followed a declaration to strengthen ties between Saudi Arabia and Italy, signed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

At the forum, KAUST announced three strategic memoranda of understanding with prominent Italian academic and industrial institutions. These agreements include a new joint scholarship program, showcasing KAUST's commitment to international collaborations that support Saudi Arabia's scientific and economic transformation. The university aims to advance Vision 2030 priorities by expanding cooperation in microelectronics, artificial intelligence, life sciences, robotics, advanced sensing, and maritime innovation.

KAUST signed a five-year MoU with Politecnico di Torino University to establish a comprehensive partnership involving joint research, academic exchange, and training programs. This collaboration focuses on shared research priorities such as micro and nanoelectronics, digital systems and AI, energy and environment, smart health, and food and water technologies. The agreement facilitates dual PhD opportunities, joint-funded projects, researcher exchanges, and shared academic activities between the two universities.

The university also expanded its existing MoU with the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), enhancing collaboration across key scientific fields. This agreement supports joint work in life sciences, robotics, neuromorphic computing, micro- and nanoelectronics, smart sensing, advanced materials, and computational sciences. It also provides pathways for researcher and student exchanges as well as coordinated technology transfer activities.

In addition to academic partnerships, KAUST signed an MoU with ELT Group to develop a platform that translates scientific breakthroughs into business applications. This cooperation aims to ensure that cutting-edge research reaches the industrial ecosystem of Saudi Arabia. Under this agreement, both parties will address complex challenges through joint research on emerging technologies while offering specialized training programs and access to state-of-the-art testing facilities.

Furthermore, KAUST announced a new scholarship program with Fincantieri to support research in maritime security and next-generation navigation technologies. This initiative stems from an MoU signed earlier this year. It aims to nurture emerging researchers developing solutions for AIS authentication, GPS spoofing detection, and machine-learning-enabled navigation systems.

Advancing Innovation

The Saudi–Italian Investment and Business Forum served as a significant platform for KAUST to advance global partnerships supporting research excellence and high-impact innovation. Through these MoUs and initiatives, KAUST continues to play a leading role in positioning Saudi Arabia as an international hub for advanced science and technology.

Professor Gianluca Setti from KAUST stated: "These agreements highlight the strength of Saudi–Italian cooperation and the vital role that international partnerships play in advancing research, technology development, and talent creation. By connecting KAUST’s scientific capabilities with Italy’s leading universities and technology companies, we are opening new pathways for innovation that align with Saudi Arabia’s priorities for economic diversification and a knowledge-based future."

With inputs from SPA