King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), a leading research institute in Saudi Arabia, has partnered with prominent academic and business institutions in Shenzhen, China, to strengthen cooperation in research, development, and innovation.
The strategic agreements aim to leverage complementary strengths to accelerate knowledge exchange and the commercialization of impactful technologies into innovative, market-ready products that can address global challenges.
Shenzhen, known as the “Silicon Valley of China,” is a major global technology, manufacturing, and research hub.
KAUST’s delegation, led by President Dr. Tony Chan and ten university representatives, met with diverse leaders in Shenzhen to create partnerships that will expand capabilities in industrial innovation and exchange, technology transfer and incubation, knowledge sharing of talent and materials, joint laboratories and research and development platforms, and entrepreneurship training.
The high-innovation Chinese partners involved in the signing include the Research Institute of Tsinghua University in Shenzhen, Shenzhen Innox Academy, International Digital Economy Academy, X-Institute, Southern University of Science and Technology, Xbotpark, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, and Shenzhen Research Institute of Big Data.
“Our visit gave us much insight on how Shenzhen achieved this miracle,” said KAUST President Tony Chan. “In the coming days, we hope to identify mechanisms and platforms to help accelerate innovation at KAUST up to ‘Shenzhen speed.'”
The agreements build on another example of thriving Saudi-China exchange, reflected in the growing number of Chinese academics at KAUST.
Approximately 20% of KAUST’s students, 34% of its postdoctoral researchers, and 9% of its distinguished faculty are from mainland China, with the China alumni group being the biggest and most engaged of all chapters.
The partnerships with Shenzhen institutions are poised to increase these research relations and drive the growth and engagement of Saudi Arabia with China.
KAUST’s assets, including globally recognized faculty and student subject experts, world-class facilities, and networks of partnerships with Saudi industries, ministries, and academic entities, are expected to foster a productive and impactful collaboration with their Chinese counterparts.
During the larger Shenzhen visit, President Chan also attended a special dinner event with around 130 Chinese alumni. The partnerships forged through the Shenzhen agreements are expected to increase these research relations and promote growth and engagement between Saudi Arabia and China.
