SABIC reaffirms strong support for research at KAUST for societal benefits and business
SABIC reaffirmed its strong commitment to support the pioneering research being conducted at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) at a meeting between Mohamed Al-Mady, SABIC Vice Chairman and CEO, and Dr. Jean-Lou Chameau, KAUST President, during a two-day visit to SABIC headquarters and research facilities in Riyadh on November 6 and 7.
The two sides discussed SABIC’s Technology and Innovation strategy and its alignment with KAUST programs; the university’s current and future research initiatives; existing and future collaborations and potential opportunities; and talent development sponsored by SABIC at KAUST, including students, postdoc programs, and junior professors. This high-level meeting of senior leadership will serve to guide the framework for new initiatives and programs between SABIC and KAUST.
Commenting on the ongoing collaboration with KAUST, Al-Mady said, “As an innovation supply chain to our business, KAUST has been dedicatedly pursuing research relevant to our business and future plans, and at the same time adding value to the community. We have a shared understanding of the advantages of applied science for our mutual benefit.”
Dr. Chameau also visited the SABIC Technology Center, and the SABIC Plastics Application and Development Center at Techno Valley, King Saud University. Accompanying Dr. Chameau was a senior delegation from KAUST that included Nadhmi Al-Nasr, Executive Vice President, Administration and Finance, Prof. Jean Frechet, Vice President for Research, and Prof. Yves Gnanou, Dean of the Physical Sciences & Engineering Division.
Dr. Chameau said, "SABIC's commitment to innovative work closely aligns with KAUST's passion for scientific discovery and cutting-edge research. We look forward to further developments in our partnership as we continue to build upon the strong foundation of our collaborative work."
SABIC benefits from global research and development programs and has a demonstrated history of successful innovation. SABIC is strongly supportive of specific research programs at KAUST for the benefit to society. The committed university business collaboration between SABIC and KAUST goes back to 2011 when the two sides had signed ground-breaking agreements. The agreements cover establishing a Research and Innovation Center at KAUST, supporting postdoctoral fellowships, and conducting joint research.
SABIC has also sourced talent at KAUST career fairs and has so far recruited around 40 highly qualified KAUST-trained scientists and researchers.