KFUPM spends 25% of budget on research

King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) spends 25 percent of its budget on research, particularly new technologies for the petroleum industry.
This is according to Nasser bin Mohammed Al-Aqeeli, dean of the scientific research department and director of the science and technology center, who said there is also an emphasis on developing a knowledge economy in the Kingdom and recruiting top scientists.
He was speaking at the fifth conference of heads of technical science departments at Saudi universities and ministries here recently. KFUPM hosted the event.
Al-Aqeeli said the university is determined to take scientific research to the next level. “Proper scientific publishing is one of the interests of the university. We are encouraging our professors to publish their work regularly.”
He said the university has built a supportive local environment to back research and innovation. Most of the research of the university’s professors can be applied in the real world, particularly the manufacturing industry. He said many Saudi factories have benefited from the university’s inventions.
He said the university focuses on gas, petrochemical and water research. Their latest invention is a water purification technique that the university wants to patent. “A factory in the United States has tested the technique and we will start applying it in the Kingdom very soon.”
The conference also had an exhibition to highlight the achievements and contribution of professors and researchers at the university.