King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) has launched four pioneering Centers of Excellence (CoEs) to drive research and development across key national and international priorities. This move aligns KAUST further with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and is fundamental to KAUST’s Accelerating Impact Strategy – strengthening the University’s position as a global leader in applied science.  

The newly established Centers of Excellence, each led by world-renowned experts, will focus on addressing critical challenges in Health and Wellness, Sustainable Environment and Essential Needs, Energy and Industrial Leadership and Economies of the Future. These CoEs are integral to KAUST’s mission to deliver impactful solutions that directly contribute to national economic objectives.   

The Center of Excellence for Generative AI, chaired by Professor Bernard Ghanem and co-chaired by Professor Juergen Schmidhuber, will lead the development of innovative general-purpose AI models that can be tailored to meet the unique demands of the Kingdom’s RDIA priorities. This center will establish itself as a leader in generative AI research, driving advancements across multiple sectors.  

Professor Husam Alshareef, a renowned expert in battery technologies and material science, will chair the Center of Excellence for Renewable Energy and Storage Technologies, co-chaired by Professor Zhiping Lai. This center focuses on the development and deployment of state-of-the-art renewable energy and storage technologies. It will play a critical role in supporting Saudi Arabia’s transition to sustainable energy by prototyping and commercializing innovations that further enhance the Kingdom’s industrial competitiveness.   

The Center of Excellence for Sustainable Food Security will be chaired by Professor Mark Tester, an authority in plant science and agriculture in arid environments, and co-chaired by Professors Brande Wulff, a leader in crop genetics, and Peiying Hong, an expert in environmental microbiology and wastewater treatment. This center is dedicated to advancing technology-based solutions for agriculture. It will address key challenges in resource efficiency, crop improvement and sustainable biosystems to bolster food security in Saudi Arabia and beyond, while minimizing negative impacts.  

Professor Imed Gallouzi, known for his pioneering work in RNA biology and mRNA processing, along with Professor Xin Gao, an expert in computational biology and AI, will lead the Center of Excellence for Smart Health. Focused on developing and deploying digital and AI-driven technologies, the center aims to transform healthcare delivery in Saudi Arabia through precision medicine, promoting innovation, entrepreneurship and education to revolutionize the Kingdom’s healthcare system.  

Professor Edward Byrne AC, President of KAUST, commented:   

“As the new President of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), I am both honored and privileged to lead our University at this transformative moment. The establishment of these new Centers of Excellence exemplifies our commitment to pioneering scientific leadership and discovery.   

By focusing on AI, renewable energy, sustainable food security and smart health, we are not only addressing the Kingdom’s most pressing challenges but also positioning KAUST as a global leader in these critical fields. I am excited to collaborate with our exceptional teams to turn ideas into solutions that enhance the quality of life and create a sustainable future for the Kingdom and beyond,”   

Each of these Centers of Excellence has been launched due to their strong alignment with national priorities, interdisciplinary nature and the potential to deliver tangible economic and social impacts. They will play a crucial role in leading pioneering research, aligned with KAUST’s Accelerating Impact Strategy and integrated with KAUST’s National Transformation Institute (NTI) to drive research excellence and innovation.  

KAUST’s Accelerating Impact Strategy was launched by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Prime Minister and Chairman of KAUST Board of Trustees. This strategy focuses on aligning research with national priorities and supporting the Kingdom’s economic diversification through impactful RDIA projects.