JEDDAH: In a major boost for the development of Saudi Arabia’s youth, the King Abdul Aziz and His Companions’ Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity, or Mawhiba, has signed an agreement with King Abdullah University for Science and Technology focusing on education and training.
The memorandum of understanding is in line with Saudi Vision 2030 and was inked on Monday on the sidelines of Mawhiba’s ongoing second Global Conference for Giftedness and Creativity in Jeddah. KAUST President Prof. Tony Chan signed the pact with Mawhiba’s Secretary-General Dr. Amal bint Abdullah Al-Hazzaa.
The MoU includes cooperation in research programs, with KAUST providing Mawhiba students with access to all its laboratories, facilities, services and training programs.
Al-Hazzaa said that the signing of the pact with KAUST would help boost the nation’s development by preparing the “future leaders of the Saudi knowledge economy.”
Chan said that KAUST was proud of the agreement. “We firmly believe that through our strong collaboration with Mawhiba we can enhance the growth of the Kingdom’s research, development, and innovation ecosystem to … build the right foundation to meet the most difficult research challenges in Saudi Arabia and the world.”
Dr. Najah Ashry, KAUST’s vice president, said the agreement was aimed at the future. “In light of the ambitious Saudi vision and unprecedented transformation, we are investing in the next generation of Saudi scientists, innovators, entrepreneurs and visionaries.”
“We are full of confidence that through this MoU we can enhance our collaborative efforts to develop talents in a way that can, hopefully, help build a sustainable and prosperous future for the Kingdom.”
KAUST is an academic and research institution focused on the advancement of science and technology at regional and global levels. Mawhiba is a non-profit endowment organization that aims to identify and nurture talented and gifted Saudi students in these areas.
