Saudi university signs 15 new agreements to research defense, AI, and nuclear technologies

Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, Minister of Energy, attends a signing ceremony at KFUPM. (Supplied)
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Updated 12 January 2025
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Saudi university signs 15 new agreements to research defense, AI, and nuclear technologies

  • King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals signed the agreements at a recent ceremony in Dhahran

DHAHRAN: One of the Kingdom’s leading universities has signed 15 new agreements with government entities and major corporations to advance research in areas including defense, artificial intelligence, and nuclear energy.

The King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals signed the agreements at a recent ceremony in Dhahran attended by Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, minister of energy and chairman of KFUPM’s Board of Trustees.

Among the highlights is a memorandum of understanding with the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy to advance technology in nuclear and renewable energy, hydrogen, and AI.

The partnership also seeks to develop skills through scholarships, educational programs and entrepreneurial training.

KFUPM also signed two agreements with the Ministry of Defense.

The first introduces an academic program for military college students, while the second focuses on training and educational enrichment for “war veterans and martyrs’ children.”

Additionally, an agreement with the General Authority for Defense Development was signed to develop national capabilities in defense research and advanced technologies.

This agreement focuses on building research infrastructure and creating frameworks to enhance collaboration in defense systems.

The university also signed a new partnership with the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority, which outlines graduate scholarships, faculty exchanges and joint research projects.

Beyond defense, AI, and energy, KFUPM partnered with Aramco to establish two research centers.

One will focus on carbon materials to develop sustainable chemicals and materials, while the other will advance petroleum conversion technologies, emphasizing low-carbon fuels and plastics recycling.

The university also signed an agreement with the Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services to explore drone systems, autonomous vehicles and clean-energy transportation technologies, contributing to future regulatory and technological advancements in logistics.

Other collaborations include a memorandum of understanding with the National Center for Environmental Compliance to create a research center for environmental studies, a partnership with NEOM to co-develop academic programs and research initiatives, and an agreement with the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre to support biomedical engineering and medical device innovation.

Economic and educational development was also addressed through agreements with the Ministry of Economy and Planning to launch postgraduate programs in economics, and a partnership was created with Bank Albilad to provide financial support for students.


Ancient Saudi city of Qurh a historic stop for pilgrim and trade caravans

Updated 29 May 2025
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Ancient Saudi city of Qurh a historic stop for pilgrim and trade caravans

  • Qurh was capital of Wadi Al-Qura, a center for Arab markets
  • Architectural features date back to the early Islamic periods

ALULA: Qurh, an ancient city in Saudi Arabia’s AlUla governorate, served for centuries as a vital hub for pilgrims and traders, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Located about 20 km south of AlUla’s old town, near the village of Mughayra, Qurh is one of the Royal Commission for AlUla’s archaeological sites. AlUla’s other main heritage sites are Dadan, Hegra and the Old Town.

Qurh’s ruins spread across an expansive plain surrounded by medium-height mountains. The ruins include remnants of architectural structures, marketplaces, streets, and palaces, all of which highlight the city’s once-thriving economic and urban life.

Architectural features dating back to the early Islamic periods also suggest that settlement and cultural growth continued after the advent of Islam.

The ruins include remnants of architectural structures, marketplaces, streets, and palaces, all of which highlight the city's once-thriving economic and urban life.  (SPA)

Qurh was the capital of Wadi Al-Qura and a center for Arab markets, as described by the historian Hisham bin Al-Kalbi, who identified it as a commercial and cultural center and a cradle of the arts.

The city was located on the route of the historic Incense Road, a trade artery used to transport precious goods from the southern Arabian Peninsula to the north, passing through Wadi Al-Qura.

The ruins include remnants of architectural structures, marketplaces, streets, and palaces, all of which highlight the city's once-thriving economic and urban life.  (SPA)

According to Abdulrahman Alsuhaibani, the RCA’s vice president for culture, the excavations in Qurh have so far proved “that there was some interaction with China at the beginning of the Islamic period.”

“Evidence exists of interactions and trade extending as far as China,” he said in an interview produced by FT Longitude in partnership with the RCA.

“With China, for example, (there were) merchants who brought porcelain, medicines and silk to Arabia with incense for sure, ivory, while other valuables travelled in the opposite directions.”

AlUla, part of Saudi Arabia’s western province of Madinah, has been home to the ancient Dadanites, Lihyanites, Nabataeans, Sabaeans, Minoans, Egyptian, Romans and Arabs, he said.


Saudi defense minister holds talks with UK security, defense officials

Updated 29 May 2025
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Saudi defense minister holds talks with UK security, defense officials

  • Prince Khalid bin Salman and UK National Security Advisor Jonathan Powell discussed strategic partnership between the two countries

LONDON: Saudi Arabia’s Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman held talks with the UK’s National Security Advisor Jonathan Powell in London on Wednesday.

The two sides “reviewed the strong friendship and strategic partnership between Saudi Arabia and the UK,” the Saudi Press Agency reported. “They also reviewed areas of cooperation and discussed regional and global developments, as well as ongoing efforts to support security and stability.”

The talks followed a meeting on Tuesday between Prince Khalid and British Defense Secretary John Healey during which they discussed strategic defense cooperation.


Saudi Embassy coordinating with Turkiye to find boy who fell into a creek

Updated 28 May 2025
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Saudi Embassy coordinating with Turkiye to find boy who fell into a creek

  • The embassy coordinated with child’s family after he reportedly went missing in a river in Trabzon province
  • Turkish authorities are investigating the incident

ANKARA: The Saudi Arabian Embassy in Turkiye confirmed on Wednesday that it is coordinating with Turkish authorities to search for a Saudi child who reportedly fell into Haldizen Creek in Uzungol region.

According to the Saudi Press Agency, the embassy issued a statement clarifying the reports circulating in media outlets and across social media platforms regarding the incident in Trabzon province.

“From the first moments of the incident, the embassy coordinated with the child’s family and contacted the relevant Turkish authorities to investigate the incident,” the statement said.

“The authorities have responded and are gratefully conducting extensive searches in the area and its surrounding to locate the child. We ask God Almighty to crown these efforts with success and to protect everyone from all harm,” it added.


Founding nations sign Global Water Organization charter in Riyadh

Updated 29 May 2025
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Founding nations sign Global Water Organization charter in Riyadh

  • Ceremony was attended by Saudi FM Prince Faisal bin Farhan, who highlighted the importance of the GWO in tackling water issues worldwide
  • Prince Faisal said that Saudi Arabia would provide financial and logistical support to the GWO for the next five years

The Global Water Organization launched operations from its headquarters in Riyadh on Wednesday, with founding member states signing its charter.

The event was attended by officials and diplomats, including Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan; Environment, Water and Agriculture Minister Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli; and Greek Ambassador Alexis Konstantopoulos.

Prince Faisal highlighted the importance of the GWO in tackling water issues worldwide holistically.

“The establishment of this organization reaffirms the Kingdom’s commitment and keenness to international cooperation in all fields, including the water sector,” said the minister.

He added: “This organization is considered a practical, comprehensive, and multilateral platform aimed at promoting dialogue among countries, unifying efforts, enhancing coordination and cooperation to face the growing challenges related to water.”

“It also aims to enable partnerships and find innovative solutions, contributing to building a prosperous future for all nations.”

Prince Faisal said the Kingdom views water issues as a humanitarian and development priority, recognizing the importance of this vital resource to the stability and growth of societies.

“The Kingdom continues to support an approach based on international cooperation, knowledge exchange, and sustainable solutions that contribute to the efficient management of important natural resources.”

Other officials also shared their thoughts on the importance of securing water sources and the development of the sector.

Al-Fadhli said: “Water is a basic necessity for life in general and is essential for all economic development in this world, whether for agriculture, industry, mining, tourism, or entertainment. Competition for this vital resource is increasing.”

He continued: “The challenges facing the world in general, and no one is exempt from them at the present time, can be summarized as follows: the scarcity of water resources, quality as well, and the pollution it (water resources) have been exposed to as a result of human activities in recent years, and also the high cost of these projects.”

Al-Fadhli said there was an urgent need to rethink engineering, in general, and consider the “engineering value” of these projects, along with encouraging development in water-related efforts.

“I must encourage research, innovation, and development, and always ask how we can complete these projects at a lower cost while maintaining quality.”

He emphasized the importance of having an integrated system that covers all stages of the water cycle.

This includes adopting innovative economic models based on cost-benefit analysis, introducing new financing mechanisms, reducing reliance on government subsidies, and actively involving the private sector.

The GWO’s charter was signed by representatives from the founding countries: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Spain, Senegal, Pakistan, Greece and Mauritania.


Saudi FM receives US envoy to Syria in Riyadh

Updated 28 May 2025
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Saudi FM receives US envoy to Syria in Riyadh

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received US envoy to the Syrian Arab Republic Thomas Barrack in Riyadh on Wednesday.

During the meeting, they discussed steps to provide economic, humanitarian and other support to the Syrian people, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a post on X.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji received Ambassador of Italy to the Kingdom Carlo Balducci in Riyadh on Wednesday.

They discussed bilateral relations and other topics of common interest.