The Saudi Ministry of Health and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) have signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen collaboration in healthcare innovation and investment, and to develop a sustainable ecosystem that supports applied research and advanced technologies in the health sector. 

Signed by Professor Imed Gallouzi, chair of the KAUST Center of Excellence for Smart Health, and Dr. Khalid bin Adnan Al-Buraikan, deputy minister of investment at the Ministry of Health, the agreement aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to establish an innovative, knowledge-based healthcare system. 

The agreement aims to develop and implement joint initiatives that enhance the innovation and investment environment within the Kingdom’s healthcare sector. It seeks to establish technical links that showcase KAUST’s services, programs, studies, reports, and events related to health innovation through the Invest in Health platform. 

It also includes organizing joint workshops and training programs to exchange expertise and build national capacity in smart health and biotechnology. 

Areas of cooperation include establishing effective communication channels to ensure continuous coordination and updates to shared services, as well as facilitating data exchange to support the health innovation ecosystem in line with national data governance policies. KAUST and the ministry will also collaborate to develop tools and processes for measuring impact based on available resources. 

Gallouzi said the agreement represents an important step toward building an integrated national system that promotes health innovation by linking academic research with practical applications. 

Through its Center of Excellence for Smart Health, he added, KAUST aims to build strategic partnerships that support the transition to AI-based healthcare and precision medicine, while strengthening the Kingdom’s position as a leader in future health technologies.