Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic) signed an agreement with the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (Kaust) to provide funding for its research projects.

The MoU was signed by Dr Ernesto Occhiello Sabic executive vice president, Technology & Innovation, and Prof Jean Lou Chameau, president, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (Kaust).

Under the MoU, Sabic will commit at least 10 research programmes to be operated at the related Catalysis Center and the Nanotechnology Initiatives totaling at least SR10 million ($2.6 million).

With this MoU, Sabic’s total support to Kaust research collaborations now exceeds SR17 million.

Mohamed Al-Mady, Sabic vice chairman and CEO, said: “We are happy to continuously cooperate with the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, which is considered to be among the leading research universities in the world, and support and encourage the development of young scientists in Saudi Arabia. The research at Kaust holds considerable promise for improving lives, promoting sustainability initiatives, and building excellence in science and technology.”

The MoU comes in continuation of Sabic’s joint collaboration programs with Kaust under a series of contemporary agreements signed in 2011 between the two sides for collaboration for 30 years.

The related Catalysis Center and the Nanotechnology Initiatives will provide Sabic technical support in numerous fields which include chemical processes, polymerization processes, and nanocages, among others.

The Intended Enhanced Collaboration in Catalysis and Nanotechnology Initiatives will also include a procedural framework for the tailored graduate level programs, post-doctorate tailored research programs, and leading scientists visiting Kaust, encompassed by the intended collaboration. – TradeArabia News Service

In The Photo (Right) are: Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Thenayan Al-Saud, Sabic chairman, and Mohamed Al-Mady,  Sabic vice chairman and CEO, look on as Dr Ernesto Occhiello Sabic executive vice president, Technology & Innovation, and Prof Jean Lou Chameau, president, Kaust sign the Memorandum of Understanding in Riyadh