• The 16th KAUST Industry Advisory Board meeting highlighted new collaborations driving innovation in advanced manufacturing, sustainability, and digital technologies 

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Industry Collaboration Program (KICP) convened its 16th Industry Advisory Board (KIAB16) meeting under the theme of Emerging Industries, reaffirming the University’s commitment to innovation that will support Vision 2030 and beyond. 

The event brought together senior delegations from government, industry, and academia to discuss national priorities in research and development across the KAUST’s four strategic research pillars — health and wellness, energy and industrial leadership, sustainable environment and supply of essential needs, and economies of the future.  

This year’s meeting saw the addition of four new members to KICP: the Ministry of Health (MoH), the General Authority for Defense Development (GADD), the King Faisal Special Research Center (KFSRC), and NEOM, reiterating the consistent growth of KICP and the value its members see to solving national priorities. 

“The growth of KICP reflects KAUST’s deep commitment to fostering innovation that directly contributes to Saudi Arabia’s strategic ambitions,” said President Sir Edward Byrne AC. “Through meaningful collaboration with government and industry, we are turning research into real-world solutions that accelerate national transformation.” 

KICP continues to serve as a cornerstone of KAUST’s engagement model, linking its world-class faculty and facilities with partners seeking to address pressing challenges and develop frontier technologies. Since its inception in 2009, KICP has enabled $250 million in research funding and provided members with $138 million in consultancy services, fostering an environment of applied research and knowledge transfer. It has also hired 426 KAUST students. 

“The KIAB platform enables our partners to jointly define and deliver impact-driven projects,” said Ian Campbell, Senior Vice President for the KAUST National Transformation Institute (NTI). “Through new working groups and research alliances, we are strengthening the bridge between academia and industry to deliver on the Kingdom’s research, development, and innovation priorities.” 

Some of those impact-driven projects include a new Arabic large language model, assuring giga projects are done sustainably, and building large consortia for major industries like aviation, marine, and automotives. 

The KICP also announced a new three-year agreement with King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (KACARE) that promises to expand joint research in energy, sustainability, and advanced systems. Another was research projects with GADD. 

H.E. Faleh AlSulaiman, governor of GADD, emphasized that KAUST represents a leading model in research, development, and innovation. Further, he noted that KAUST will contribute to GADD’s objectives of enhancing Saudi Arabia’s position in advanced technologies and building national human and research capabilities. 

With 30 active members, KICP continues to strengthen the alignment between the University’s scientific capabilities and the Kingdom’s innovation agenda, ensuring that KAUST remains a trusted partner in advancing Saudi Arabia’s future industries.