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  • (L-R) KAUST representatives – Mr Randall Tan, communications professional, Dr. Mohamed Samaha, interim vice president for Research, Mr. Nadhmi Al-Nasr, interim president, KAUST, and H.E. Minister Ali I. Al-Naimi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Saudi Arabia, and chairman, KAUST Board of Trustees, sharing perspectives with Professor Kenjiro Miyano, director of the University of Tokyo’s Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology. Tokyo. May 12, 2008.
  • (L-R) University of Tokyo’s Institute of Industrial Science members – Associate Professor Kazuhiro Mochizuki, Associate Professor Shinjiro Kanae, Professor Kazuhiko Ogimoto, Professor Akiyoshi Sakoda, Mr. Haruki Yoda, vice director, Professor Masafumi Maeda, director general, Professor Tomoya Yashiro, vice director, Associate Professor Toru Okabe, Professor Humitoshi Sato, Professor Yoshitaka Mitsuda – with the KAUST delegation – Mr. Randall Tan, communications professional, Mr. Ali Twairqi, D\director general, Office of Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Professor Choon Fong Shih, president designate, KAUST, H.E. Minister Ali I. Al-Naimi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Saudi Arabia, chairman, KAUST Board of Trustees, Mr. Nadhmi Al-Nasr, interim president, KAUST, Dr. Mohamed Samaha, interim vice president for Research, KAUST, and Dr. Lu Chun, director for East Asia Initiatives, KAUST. Tokyo. May 12, 2008.
  • Gift of Friendship: (L-R) H.E. Minister Ali I. Al-Naimi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Saudi Arabia, chairman, KAUST Board of Trustees, Mr. Nadhmi Al-Nasr, KAUST interim president, Dr. Mohamed Samaha, KAUST interim vice president for Research, Dr. Lu Chun, director for East Asia Initiatives, KAUST, with University of Tokyo’s leaders and faculty – Professor Kimihiko Hirao, executive vice president, Professor Makoto Asashima, executive vice president, President Hiroshi Komiyama, Professor Koichi Yamada, managing director, and Dr. Nobuyasu Ito, professor in applied physics and a KAUST GRP Investigator. Tokyo. May 12, 2008.
  • Budding Friendship: (Bottom L-R) The KAUST delegation – Mr Randall Tan, communications professional, Dr. Mohamed Samaha, KAUST interim vice president for Research, Mr. Nadhmi Al-Nasr, interim president, H.E. Minister Ali I. Al-Naimi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Saudi Arabia, chairman, KAUST Board of Trustees, Professor Choon Fong Shih, president-designate, Mr. Ali Twairqi, director general, Office of Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Dr. Lu Chun, director for East Asia Initiatives – discussing and sharing plans with SJTU representatives – Professor Zhao Liping, vice dean of School of Life Sciences, Professor Ye Quyuan, deputy president, President Zhang Jie, Professor Cui Rongqiang, chairman of Shanghai Solar Energy Society, Professor Shao Jiahui, assistant dean, School of Environmental Engineering & Technology and Ms. Cai Xin, International Affairs coordinator. Shanghai Jiaotong University. Shanghai, China.
  • (L-R) Professor Ye Quyuan, SJTU deputy president, Professor Cui Rongqiang, chairman of Shanghai Solar Energy Society and President Zhang with Mr. Nadhmi Al-Nasr, KAUST interim president, H.E. Minister Ali I. Al-Naimi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Saudi Arabia, chairman, KAUST Board of Trustees, and Mr. Ali Twairqi, director general, Office of Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources. Shanghai Jiaotong University. Shanghai, China.
  • (L-R): Mr. Nadhmi Al-Nasr, KAUST interim president, Professpr Choon Fong Shih, KAUST president-designate, H.E. Minister Ali I. Al-Naimi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Saudi Arabia, chairman, KAUST Board of Trustees, Professor Gu Binglin, Tsinghua president, Professor Xie Weihe, Tsinghua vice president, Professor Zhang Yi, Tsinghua deputy provost, Professor Jiang Peixue, executive director of Tsinghua’s Science and Technology Administration Office, Professor Zhao Zhengming, deputy head of Tsinghua’s Department of Electrical Engineering, and Professor Lou Lisheng, director of Tsinghua’s Office of International Affairs Tsinghua University. May 14, 2008.
  • H.E. Minister Ali I. Al-Naimi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Saudi Arabia, chairman, KAUST Board of Trustees (left) receiving a gift of friendship from Professor Gu Binglin, president of Tsinghua University. Tsinghua University. May 14, 2008.
  • Seoul National University President, professor Lee Jang Moo with H.E. Minister Ali I. Al-Naimi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Saudi Arabia, chairman, KAUST Board of Trustees. Seoul National University. Seoul, Korea. May 15, 2008.
  • Seoul National University President Lee Jang Moo (center) enjoying a discussion with H.E. Minister Al-Naimi (right), Professor Shih (2nd from left), KAUST president-designate and Mr. Nadhmi Al-Nasr (far left), KAUST interim president Seoul National University. Seoul, Korea. May 15, 2008.
  • (L-R) Professor Lee Jae Kyu, KAIST dean of Energy, Environment, Water, Sustainability (EEWS) Initiative, Dr. Mohamed Samaha, KAUST interim vice president for Research, Dr. Lu Chun, KAUST director for East Asia Initiatives, Professor Chang Soon Heung, KAIST provost, Mr. Nadhmi Al-Nasr, KAUST interim president, Professor Suh Nam Pyo, KAIST president, Professor Choon Fong Shih, KAUST president-designate, Professor Yang Hyun Seung, KAIST dean of Research Affairs, Professor Yang Ji Won, KAIST vice president of Planning & Budget, Professor Kim Sang Soo, vice president for KAIST Institutes, Professor No Hee Cheon, director of KAIST Institute for Eco-Energy, and Professor Im Yong-Taek, KAIST dean of External Affairs. Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology. May 16, 2008
  • (L-R) President Suh, Professor Choon Fong Shih, KAUST president-designate, paying attention to Professor Cho Dong Ho’s presentation together with Mr Nadhmi Al-Nasr, KAUST interim president. Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology. May 16, 2008
  • (L-R) Mr. Nadhmi Al-Nasr, KAUST interim president, Prof Choon Fong Shih, KAUST president-designate, H.E. Minister Ali I. Al-Naimi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Saudi Arabia, chairman, KAUST Board of Trustees, President Suh, Mr. Ali Twairqi, director general, Office of Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Dr. Mohamed Samaha, KAUST interim vice president for Research, Provost Chang and Dr. Lu Chun, KAUST director for East Asia Initiatives.

KAUST Leadership Tours Asian Institutions

H.E. Al-Naimi honored for his contributions to education, business, and international affairs

In May 2008, KAUST’s senior leadership team visited five institutions in three Asian countries to strengthen the University’s ties with leading-edge researchers in the region. Led by H.E. Minister Ali I. Al-Naimi, the delegation included KAUST President-designate Choon Fong Shih, KAUST Interim President Nadhmi Al-Nasr, and Interim Vice President for Research Mohamed E. Samaha. At stops in Japan, China, and Korea, the KAUST team received briefings and tours, and discussed research that is important to KAUST and Saudi Arabia. In Korea, H.E. Minister Al-Naimi was honored for his contributions to business, international affairs, and education.

“Asia is a vital region for scientific discovery,” said KAUST President-designate Choon Fong Shih. “As KAUST strives to fulfill its mission as a world-class research institution, we are delighted by the partnerships we have built here.” KAUST Interim President Nadhmi Al-Nasr added, “Our Global Research Partnership and scholarship program include top researchers and emerging talent from the region. We share a commitment to discovery that will benefit all our countries and people.”

University of Tokyo

In Tokyo, the KAUST team was hosted by Professor Kenjiro Miyano, Director of the University’s Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST). Following an introduction of the initiatives and structures of RCAST and KAUST, the Japanese researchers gave a glimpse of their exciting work in devising next-generation solar cells and rechargeable batteries.

Visiting the Institute of Industrial Science (IIS) next, the KAUST delegation met IIS Director General Professor Masafumi Maeda and the Institute’s key faculty. The IIS showcased their impressive lab facilities and accomplishments in areas such as environmental control engineering, materials of the future, and biofuels.

Another highlight of the day was a savory sushi lunch and traditional Japanese tea ceremony, graciously hosted by Professor Hiroshi Komiyama, president of the University of Tokyo, and a member of the KAUST International Advisory Council.

President Komiyama went on to lead a brief tour of the University’s beautiful, century-old Hongo campus. Rounding off the visit at President Komiyama’s office, the KAUST delegation met with more faculty, including Dr. Nobuyasu Ito, who was recently awarded a grant from KAUST’s Global Research Partnership.

Shanghai Jiaotong University (SJTU)

Arriving in Shanghai, the KAUST delegation was warmly welcomed by SJTU President Professor Zhang Jie and his leadership team.

The two universities shared their development plans and initiatives. Professor Zhao Liping, vice dean of SJTU’s School of Life Sciences, and Professor Shao Jiahui, assistant dean of SJTU’s School of Environmental Engineering & Technology, went on to present their research in desalination of sea water as well as combating obesity through new approaches such as whole-body systems biology and traditional Chinese medicine.

At SJTU’s Solar Energy Institute, the KAUST delegation observed the Institute’s work on solar cell technologies, as well as its operations and advanced facilities. The group also toured the nearby Shanghai Topsolar Green Energy Co. Ltd., where the Institute’s research had the space to be translated into real-world applications. President Zhang hosted a luncheon and the group also toured SJTU’s mechanical engineering school.

Tsinghua University

At Tsinghua University, President Gu Binglin and key administrators greeted the KAUST delegation.

Discussions started off with an overview of the structure and initiatives of Tsinghua and KAUST before Tsinghua faculty went on to share their knowledge and expertise in areas across energy, water desalination, and life science. Following a gift exchange, the KAUST delegation visited the Brain-Computer Interface Lab at the Institute of Neural Engineering. There, Professor Hong Bo, deputy head of Tsinghua University’s Department of Biomedical Engineering, offered an interesting snapshot of ongoing research on translating signals from brainwaves to carry out action.

The KAUST delegation enjoyed lunch with Professor Chen Xi, chairman of Tsinghua University Council, and other distinguished university figures. A lively exchange of views and insights took place, ranging from university developments to global issues such as energy resources. Concluding the visit to Tsinghua was a symposium on academic exchange and cooperation that lays the framework for greater academic collaboration and closer ties between the People’s Republic of China and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Seoul National University

At Seoul National University, President Lee conferred upon H.E. Minister Al-Naimi an honorary degree of philosophy. This degree was awarded in recognition of His Excellency’s contributions to business, international affairs, and education.

The letter of recommendation cited H.E. Minister Al-Naimi’s accomplishments as “not limited to the field of petroleum and natural gas energy. Minister Al-Naimi has also taken a leading role in international affairs, and has played a central role in the reconstruction of OPEC as a more effective organization.” The citation also paid tribute to His Excellency’s “outstanding contribution to the Korean economy” and how he has been “instrumental in stabilizing Korean imports of petroleum from Saudi Arabia.”

Delivering a special lecture following the conferment, H.E. Minister Al-Naimi spoke on the global energy market situation and on KAUST. He envisioned KAUST to be “a distinguished international university that conducts and supports scientific research and technological development, attracts distinguished scientists and researchers, and attracts and sponsors talented Saudi and international graduate students. Those researchers and students will contribute both to local development and to the national economy as well as the global pool of scientific knowledge.”

Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)

The KAUST delegation’s two-day visit began with a luncheon hosted by KAIST President Suh and Provost Chang Soon Heung. The following day, President Suh welcomed the delegation to the KAIST campus. The meeting began with both teams sharing their institutions’ strengths and initiatives while engaging in discussions to learn more about each other’s institutions. The KAUST delegation later went on a tour of the KAIST Institute for Information Technology Convergence (KIITC) and the Division of Computer Science. Faculty at KIITC presented the Institute’s work and accomplishments that focus on converging information technology and other technologies to make a difference to society. President Suh and his team hosted a luncheon in the garden of the president’s residence.

The KAUST delegation also visited the National NanoFab Center and Humanoid Robot Center. The Centers’ state-of-the-art facilities and engaging demonstrations offered a glimpse into their cutting-edge work and advances made in nanotechnology as well as in robotics and intelligent systems.

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