KAUST Industry Collaboration Program Advances Emerging Industries Through New National Partnerships

The 16th meeting of the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Industry Advisory Board (KIAB16) focused on Emerging Industries. This event highlighted KAUST's dedication to innovation in line with Vision 2030. Senior representatives from government, industry, and academia gathered to discuss national research and development priorities across four strategic areas: health and wellness, energy and industrial leadership, sustainable environment and essential needs supply, and future economies.

Four new members joined the KAUST Industry Collaboration Program (KICP) this year: the Ministry of Health, the General Authority for Defense Development (GADD), King Faisal Special Research Hospital and Center, and NEOM. This expansion underscores KICP's ongoing growth and its members' commitment to addressing national priorities. "The growth of KICP reflects KAUST’s deep commitment to fostering innovation that directly contributes to Saudi Arabia’s strategic ambitions," said KAUST President Sir Edward Byrne AC.

KICP serves as a cornerstone of KAUST’s engagement model by connecting its faculty and facilities with partners aiming to tackle pressing challenges. Since 2009, KICP has facilitated $250 million in research funding and offered $138 million in consultancy services. It has also employed 426 KAUST students, promoting applied research and knowledge transfer. Ian Campbell, Senior Vice President for the KAUST National Transformation Institute (NTI), stated: "The KIAB platform enables our partners to jointly define and deliver impact-driven projects."

New partnerships include a three-year agreement with King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (KACARE) to expand joint research in energy, sustainability, and advanced systems. Additionally, collaborations with GADD focus on enhancing Saudi Arabia's position in advanced technologies. Governor of GADD Faleh AlSulaiman emphasized that KAUST is a leading model in research, development, and innovation.

The KICP is involved in several impact-driven projects such as developing a new Arabic large language model, ensuring giga projects are sustainable, and forming large consortia for industries like aviation, marine, and automotives. These initiatives aim to strengthen the bridge between academia and industry to meet the Kingdom’s research, development, and innovation goals.

With 30 active members, KICP continues aligning KAUST's scientific capabilities with Saudi Arabia’s innovation agenda. The program ensures that KAUST remains a trusted partner in advancing future industries within the Kingdom. "Through meaningful collaboration with government and industry," said Sir Edward Byrne AC, "we are turning research into real-world solutions that accelerate national transformation."

With inputs from SPA