Jeddah, September 17, 2023, The King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) inked a number of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) on Saturday with esteemed academic institutions and top Shenzhen, China, innovation hubs. The MoUs seek to improve cooperation in the areas of entrepreneurship, talent exchange, research, technology transfer, and industrial innovation. This occurred on Saturday during a notable Chinese delegation's visit to the KAUST, led by Qin Weizhong, the mayor of Shenzhen City.
50 people from a variety of organizations, including Tsinghua University, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School (Tsinghua SIGS), Tsinghua Research Institute in Shenzhen (RITS), Chinese University of Hong Kong in Shenzhen (CUHK-Shenzhen), Shenzhen InnoX Academy, and Shenzhen Research Institute of Big Data (SRIBD), were part of the delegation.
These collaborations are an important step in assisting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's attempts to reform its economy. They aim to develop a new generation of leaders in innovation and scientific research while elevating the country's higher education system to previously unheard-of heights.
Part of KAUST's new strategy, which was unveiled last month, is to develop partnerships with the Chinese city of Shenzhen. Establishing a strong scientific partnership between KAUST and prominent academic institutions and innovation hubs around the world is one of the objectives of the strategy. In order to foster the adoption of innovative technologies and promote the commercialization of research, it also aims to establish scientific collaborations. This will improve the Kingdom's economic competitiveness.
Shenzhen, China's third-most economically and technologically advanced city after Shanghai and Beijing, is acknowledged as one of the world's top centers for technology development.
It contributes significantly to the Kingdom's innovation ecosystem as a strategic partner, and it also makes it easier for major businesses, academics, and Shenzhen-based innovation professionals to work together.
As a result, this will enhance KAUST's standing as a major center for innovation and technology worldwide.
Dr. Tony Chan, the president of KAUST, stated that the university's illustrious alliances with esteemed organizations in Shenzhen will promote KAUST's primary goals.
"These objectives include strengthening the promotion of its global research partnerships, nurturing exceptional talent, and delivering tangible benefits for the Kingdom," the official said.
