KACST to spend SR 22 million on research

The King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) has allocated SR 22.84 million for 25 research projects to be conducted at different universities in the Kingdom, a senior official from the organization said here Sunday.
“During the Hijri year 1433-34, funds have been distributed to numerous scientific areas in different universities,” General supervisor of the KACST Grants Program Mohammed bin Ahmed Khiyami said.
“Areas of research include SR 3.90 million for basic sciences, SR 13.38 million for medical research, SR 3.61 million for agricultural and SR 1.94 million for engineering projects,” he added.
Stressing the importance of scientific research and technological advancement, Mohammed ibn Ibrahim Al-Suwaiyel, president of KACST, said developed countries have spared no effort in the field of research and development, dedicating a considerable portion of their GDP (gross domestic product) to this purpose, which has led to the phenomenal scientific and information revolution witnessed today.
“KACST has supported many scientific research projects aiming to serve developmental issues in various sectors. These research projects have yielded good results which have benefited various parties in both the private and public sectors,” he noted.
He pointed out that the KACST is in the process of implementing many research projects in its labs and research centers.
In terms of international cooperation, he said KACST is an effective partner of several world organizations such as the IAEA (the International Atomic Energy Agency), the UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), the UNIDO (the United Nations Industrial Development Organization) and a majority of Islamic scientific networks and world scientific associations.
KACST is an independent scientific organization administratively reporting to the prime minister. KACST is both the Saudi Arabian national science agency and its national laboratories. The science agency function involves science and technology policymaking, data collection, funding of external research and patenting inventions.