Dammam University takes lead in scientific research

Dammam University Rector Abdullah Al-Rubaish inaugurated the first annual conference for development in medical and biomedical scientific research organized by the university’s office for postgraduate studies and scientific research.
The three-day event kicked off on Sunday in the presence of 18 speakers from abroad to discuss the most prominent developments in scientific medical research.
Al-Rubaish stated that spending on scientific research from the gross domestic product (GDP) is an important indicator used by international organizations to make comparisons between countries on the significance of scientific research.
“According to this indicator, the Kingdom spent nearly 0.3 percent of the GDP on scientific research,” he said. “Studies indicated that the minimum spending of GDP should not be less than 1.16 percent, which is required to achieve a knowledge-based economy.”
He said that Dammam University has already established a research and medical studies center, which will be activated during the coming months, besides its work to establish a center for urban research and studies, an environmental research and studies center, and a patent registration office, signing necessary contracts to activate this office.
Al-Rubaish said: “No doubt that scientific research is a cornerstone of the university’s functions, the main objective of its activities and events, and the foundation and backbone of academic work in educational institutions. Scientific research should be considered as a security, economically, socially, and national issue and the only means for the Kingdom to achieve diversity in sources of income.”
Moreover, it would push national economic development and provide job opportunities for thousands of graduates who are able to produce knowledge and technology, Al-Rubaish added, pointing out that despite the efforts exerted to support and promote scientific research, they are less than the required according to international indicators of this area. He said that one of the important indicators closely connected to scientific research and spending on education is the government spending ratio of GDP on each individual’s education, as well as the ratio of engineers and specialists in science and mathematics to the population. In Saudi Arabia, the indicator recorded 300 per million inhabitants.