Science Policies in Saudi Arabia: Strategic Role of King Saud University

Dr. Waheed Alhindi

Dean of Scientific Research

King Saud University

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

whindi@ksu.edu.sa

Date : 27-04-2011

INSEAD – Abu Dhabi Campus

Abu Dhabi, UAE

CONTENTS

King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology

(KACST)

About KACST

Main responsibilities

Strategic Objectives

Vision, Mission and Values

Strategic Technologies

Grants Program

2

Continued-----

King Saud University (KSU)

Public and Private Universities in KSA

About KSU

Vision, Mission and Strategic Objectives

Facts & Statistics

Colleges at KSU

Basic and Applied Research

KSU Strategic Areas

Strategic Role of King Saud University

KSU- Strategic Role for the period 2012-2016

Strategic Priorities for Scientific Research

Vision, Mission and Core Values

Strategic Objectives and Initiatives

Consistency and complementary with the KSU plans

The Plan Identified Mechanisms

How KSU is different from other Kingdom Universities

Scientific Policies made by KACST and executed by all universities in the Kingdom

3

King Abdulaziz City

for Science and Technology

(KACST)

4

ABOUT KACST

KACST is an independent scientific organization

established in 1977, administratively reporting to the

Prime Minister.

KACST is both the Saudi Arabian national science

agency and its national laboratories.

KACST involves science and technology policy

making, data collection, funding of external research

and services such as the patent office.

KACST has currently over 2500 employees. 5

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Propose a national policy for the development of

science and technology and develop strategies and

plans necessary to implement them.

Coordinate with government agencies, scientific

institutions and research centers in the Kingdom to

enhance research and exchange information and

expertise.

Conduct applied research and provide advice to the

government on science and technology matters.6

Continued-----

Support scientific research and technology development.

Foster national innovation and technology transfer

between research institutes and the industry.

Encourage international cooperation in science and

technology.

7

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

A sustained planning mechanism for all scientific

disciplines.

A developed R&D infrastructure with fully functioning

centers of excellence in all scientific disciplines.

Strong interaction between the private sector and research

centers.

8

Continued-----

Regional leaders in patent ownership and issuance. Advanced incubator systems and output.

World leaders in strategic technologies including water, oil and gas.

Enhanced interaction networks between all scientific agencies.

9

VISION, MISSION AND VALUES

Vision

To be a world-class science and technology organization

that fosters innovation and promotes knowledge-based

society in the Kingdom.

10

Mission

To develop and invest in the national science,

technology, and innovation eco-system to promote

knowledge-based society that serves the Kingdom’s

sustainable development through 8 directions:

1. Formulating national policies and plans for science,

technology, and innovation.

2. Coordinating science, technology, and innovation

activities nationally.

3. Conducting applied research and technology

development.

11

Continued-----

4. Providing support to scientific research and technology

development in the kingdom

5. Investing in technology development and

commercialization.

6. Establishing and fostering local, regional, and

international cooperation and partnerships for

technology transfer, localization, and development.

7. Promoting, fostering, and investing in intellectual

property.

8. Providing consultation and innovative solutions

12

Values

Integrity.

Loyalty.

Value and respect employees.

Serve society.

Excellence.

Team work.

Transparency

13

STRATEGIC TECHNOLOGIES

In addition to Mathematics & Physics, the strategic technologies are:

1) Water

2) Oil & Gas

3) Petrochemicals

4) Nanotechnologies

5) Biotechnology

6) Information Technology

7) Electronics, communications, photonics

8) Space and Aeronautics Technology

9) Energy

10) Advanced materials

11) Environment14

GRANTS PROGRAM

KACST continuously promotes & supports applied

scientific research that serves national development

in both the private & public sectors, through the

following grant programs:

Annual Grant Program

National Grant Program

Mini-grant Program

Grant Program for Higher Education Students

Grant Program for Research in Humanities

Production Sectors Grant Program.

15

Strategic Role

of King Saud University(KSU)

16

PUBLIC AND PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES

IN KSA FOR THE YEAR 2011

17

NumbersUniversities

24Public

12Private

36Total

ABOUT KSU

The premier institution of higher education in the

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was established in 1957 to

enhance the nation’s growth and well-being.

Through strong government support and many highly-

qualified professionals and administrators:

KSU has supplied the Saudi society and market with years of

invaluable services

KSU served as a traditional source of skilled professionals and

academics needed to meet the nation’s growing requirements in

the fields of Medicine, Engineering, Agriculture, Science and

Development, the Humanities and Languages.

18

19

VisionTo be a world-class university and a leader in developing

Saudi Arabia’s knowledge based society.

MissionTo provide students with a quality education, conduct

valuable research, serve the national and international

societies and contribute to Saudi Arabia’s knowledge based

society through learning, creativity, the use of current and

developing technologies and effective international

partnership.

20

Strategic Objectives Establish excellence in all fields of scholarship and

research Maintain a distinctive faculty possessing the highest

credentials and abilities Provide graduate students with the best education and

opportunities that will enhance their knowledge, skills

and relevant experience Build bridges locally, nationally and internationally Provide a supportive learning environment for faculty,

staff and students Ensure a sustainable environment for the pursuit of

excellence Establish flexibility and accountability

21

Faculty

Completed

academic year

2009-2010

Total

Students

Completed

academic year

2009-2010

Total

Senior 1167

Undergraduate

degree

students

33746

Junior 3682

Postgraduate

degree

students

4128

Total 4849 Total 37874

Facts & Statistics

COLLEGES AT KSU

Scientific CollegesSerial No.

College of Science1

College of Engineering2

College of Food and Agricultural Sciences3

College of Computer and Information

Sciences4

College of Architecture and Planning5

College of Business Administration6 22

NumbersColleges

6Scientific Colleges

6Health Sciences Colleges

9Humanities Colleges

21Total

23

Humanities CollegesSerial

No.

College of Education1

College of Arts2

College of Law and Political Science3

Women Center for University Studies 4

Arabic Language Institute5

College of Languages6

College of Teachers7

College Tourisms and Archaeology8

College of Law and Political Science9

Health Sciences CollegesSerial No.

College of Medicine1

College of Dentistry2

College of Pharmacy3

College of Applied Medical Sciences4

Center for Female Scientific and Medical Colleges5

College of Nursing6

BASIC AND APPLIED RESEARCH

Existing efforts combining basic research and itsapplied uses include: Centers of Excellence (biotechnology, materials sciences,

information security and teaching excellence inMathematics and Physics)

King Abdullah Center for Nanotechnology

Earthquake Center

Prince Sultan Advanced Technology Institute

Medical Research Center

Large number of research chairs covering both basic andapplied research, spanning a multitude of research areasin Humanities, Social Sciences, Science, Engineering,Information Technology and Medical Sciences.

24

KSU Strategic Areas

The University Strategic Plan (2010-2030) has identified the following nine strategic opportunities for investment and development:

1. Healthcare.

2. Information and Communication Technology.

3. Petrochemicals.

4. Water resources development and management.

5. Future technologies.

6. Education.

7. Finance & insurance.

8. Management.

9. Urban Planning.

25

KSU strategic Role is based on KSU Overall Strategic

University Plan 2010-2030.

KSU Strategic Role document draws upon previous

planning efforts, feedback and recommendations that

emerged through committee appearances, institution-wide

consultations, focus groups, benchmark studies,

workshops and open forums carried out in 2009-2010.

26

Strategic Role of King Saud University

Continued -----

KSU Strategic role provides a framework for thedevelopment of a viable and purposeful research agenda.

Within this framework, over the next twenty years, theuniversity will foster and expand its research andscholarships nationally, regionally and internationally.

At the same time, the university will continue to supportnational research and innovation goals, to achieve theresearch priorities of the Ministry of Higher Education,and to participate in the government-led initiatives.

27

KSU Strategic Role for the period 2012-2016

KSU Strategic Role plan is flexible and subject to review toachieve the vision, mission and objectives of the university.

The vision of the scientific research was defined to be inline with the direction of the university :

To assume a prominent place in the world aspiringglobal leadership, creativity and innovation in scientificresearch and to take the lead on adapting scientificresearch and modern technologies to the benefit of theoverall development and the establishment of aknowledge-based society.

28

The mission of the scientific research depends on

establishing a unique system of excellence in scientific

research, creativity and innovation.

A system that is capable of:

Producing knowledge and employing it to serve national

priorities, current and future development needs.

Supports the establishment of a knowledge-based economy

and technology development through the promotion of

scientific and technical capabilities of the university and the

optimize the available resources and opportunities.

29

At the same time, the university recognizes the

importance of supporting new and emerging areas of

research such as:

Interdisciplinary inquiry (e.g. sustainable energy,

water desalination, and environment).

Areas of research that have emerged recently (e.g.

advanced manufacturing technology, advanced

materials, and biotechnology).

Changes resulting from new funding initiatives and

evolving societal concerns (e.g. nuclear energy).

30

Furthermore, KSU values the basic research as

contemplated in the award (incentive) given to

researchers against their publications in the prestigious

journals of Nature and Science, and in ISI journals.

The proportion of basic research in the KSU

Strategic Role intended to be 30% and the

proportion of applied research 70% over the five

years of implementation.

31

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES FOR

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

Fields of Strategic Research Priority for KSU Strategic

Plan 2010-2030 :Multi-disciplinary research areas of

Water and energy

New technologies (particularly the Nanotechnology)

Health-care

Advanced materials

Manufacturing technology

Petrochemicals

Electronics

Communications

Information Technology

Space industry

Aviation

Education

32

Fields of supportive research including:

Engineering

Sciences

Mathematics

Physics

Chemistry

Biology

Medicine

Pharmacy

Dentistry

Food and Agricultural Sciences

Environmental Sciences

Computer & Information Sciences

Social Sciences

33

VISION, MISSION AND CORE VALUES

Vision

World-class university in research excellence, creativity,

and innovation.

34

Mission

Setting up a distinguished system for scientific research,creativity, and innovation capable of generating knowledgeand maximizing its use in serving the current and futurenational priorities and needs.

promoting the establishment of a knowledge-basedeconomy and the development of technology through theconsolidation of the university’s scientific andtechnological capabilities and the attainment of the bestutilization of available resources and opportunities.

35

CORE VALUES

The plan adopted seven core values as the following:

Quality and distinctiveness.

Leadership.

Freedom of research inquiry.

Fairness and honesty.

Loyalty.

Transparency and accountability.

Community service.

36

Strategic Objectives and Initiatives

37

Objectives Initiatives

1. Enhance research excellence to advance

KSU to a highly regarded world-class

university.

Establish a culture of research excellence.

Support multidisciplinary research in line

with strategic priority.

Support the university’s ranking worldwide.

2. Strengthen collaborations and partnerships

with world-leading research institutions.

Promote the outcomes of partnership with

world-class research institutions.

Consolidate the reputation of the

University world-wide to ensure high

caliber partnerships.

Support the culture of partnership with

world-class research institutions among

faculty members at the University.

3. Develop human resources. Raise the competency of the researchers

within the University.

Enhance the culture of collaborative

research between related disciplines.

Broaden up the benefit from available

opportunities within the University in the

field of scientific research.

38

Objective Initiatives

4. Contribute to build a knowledge-based

society and service to industrial and

growth priorities in the Kingdom

Gear research toward the priorities of

growth and the needs of the industry.

Transfer and localize technology.

Support innovations and inventions.

Enhance partnership with the industry to

establish a knowledge-based economy

5. Enhance research environment for

researchers and the research operations at

the University.

Revise bylaws and laws to make them

flexible and tuned to expectations.

Establish incentives for distinguished

researchers to encourage the research

endeavors.

Support and promote researchers

through Research Centers.

6. Realize a reasonable degree of stability of

financial resources for scientific research.

Provide scientific research with sustained

and sufficient financial resources to

support the various scientific research

activities.

Make available an administration

specialized in financial affairs to ensure a

distinguished research performance.

39

Objective Initiatives

7. Enhance the supporting administrative

system to scientific research, realizing

competency and efficiency.

Restructure the administrative system of

the activities of scientific research.

Develop criteria for the assessment and

evaluation of performance in the research

units.

8. Provide and leverage a scientific research

infrastructure in accordance with the best

global practices.

Raise the level of responsiveness of

libraries to their environment and

interaction with their users.

Improve the performance and outcomes of

labs.

Foster transferring of knowledge and

technology through distance research labs

(satellite labs).

Provide integrated and supportive

electronic services to scientific research.

Consistency and complementary with the

KSU Plans

Efforts and plans that currently being implemented at KSU:

The Research Chair Programs

The Centers of Excellences

The Research Centers at Different KSU Colleges

The Twinning Program with international leading

universities

Visiting Professor Program

The Scientist Fellowship Program

The Satellite Research Laboratories

Riyadh Techno-Valley

The Innovation Center and

The University Endowment Program.

40

CONTINUES-----

King Abdullah Institute for Nanotechnology

Knowledge Society Program

National Plan for Science and Technology Program

Riyadh Technological Incubator Center

Riyadh Knowledge Corridor Program

Student Partnership Program

Prince Bin Abdulaziz International Program for Distinguished Research Scholarships

Attracting Distinguished Faculty Members and Researchers Program

41

The Plan Identified Mechanisms :

To ensure quality and standards for performancemeasurement and evaluation.

To develop expectations regarding the impact andimplications of implementing the strategic plan on theperformance of research at the university in terms of: Creating an excellent research environment

Achievements of research quality

Research cooperation with well-reputed universities

worldwide, based on: Parity in performance and achievement,

International recognition of the university,

The establishment of a strong partnership with industry

The achievement of important contributions to build a knowledge-based society.

42

HOW KSU IS DIFFERENT FROM OTHER

KINGDOM UNIVERSITIES

King Saud University sees 70% increase in scientific publications.

Shanghai Rankings lists King Saud University among world’s top 400.

Top 300 according to the QS World University Rankings.

According to the 2010 Webometrics Ranking of World Universities, KSU has placed 164thglobally.

Patent holders.

43

Continued ------

Riyadh Techno Valley

Spinning off new companies

University Endowment Program

Incentives on ISI publications for the

encouragement of researchers

Partnership with world-class research

institutions

44

SCIENTIFIC POLICIES MADE BY KACST AND EXECUTED BY

ALL UNIVERSITIES IN THE KINGDOM

45

King Abdulaziz City for Science and

Technology (KACST)

King Saud University -1

Scientific Colleges

College of Science

College of Engineering

College of Food and Agricultural

Sciences

College of Computer and

Information Sciences

College of Architecture and

Planning

College ofBusiness

Administration

Health Colleges

College of Medicine

College of Dentistry

College ofPharmacy

College of Applied Medical Sciences

Female Center for Scientific and

Medical Colleges

College of Nursing

Humanities Colleges

College of Education

College of Arts

College of Law and Political Science

Female Center for University Studies

Arabic Language Institute

College ofLanguages

College of Teachers

College Tourisms and Archaeology

College of Physical Education and

Sports

Initiatives

The Research Chair Programs

The Centers of Excellences

The Research Centers at Different

KSU Colleges

The Twinning Program with

international leading

universities

Visiting Professor Program

The Scientist Fellowship Program

The Satellite Research

Laboratories

Riyadh Techno-Valley

The Innovation Center

The University Endowment Program

King Abdullah Institute for

Nanotechnology

Knowledge Society Program

National Plan for Science and

Technology Program

Riyadh Technological

Incubator Center

Riyadh Knowledge Corridor Program

Student Partnership Program

Attracting Distinguished

Faculty Members and Researchers

Program

Prince Abdulaziz Int’l Prog for Distinguished Research Scholarships

University-2

University-3

---University-

24

46