The second edition of KAUST Research Open Week 2023 (KROW 2023), was launched by the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) on Monday. It is a week-long forum held at the University campus in Thuwal, from Feb. 27 to March 2, under the theme "Research for the Future of Saudi Arabia."
The Forum agenda kicked off with an opening remark by KAUST President Dr. Tony Chan: "KAUST research is rooted in the community and unique environment where we live. It is anchored to KAUST's vision and mission to serve the people of the Kingdom and the world and is committed to making an impact.
"The Kingdom is now more focused than ever to realize Saudi Vision 2030 through its newly adopted national Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) mandates," he added.
A Showcase of Research Excellence
KROW 2023 is a unique event for a broader and richer discussion providing a networking opportunity for faculty, research staff, and colleagues from industry and government.
The event will gather national and international experts from leading organizations in the areas of energy, water, environment, food and health, and the digital domains and will highlight KAUST research contribution in shaping the Kingdom's future through education, community engagement, and scientific discoveries.
Research for the Future of Saudi Arabia
Prof. Pierre Magistretti, KAUST VP for Research, commented on the success of the inaugural KAUST Research Open Week in 2021, stating that the particular context of KROW 2021 was the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the outbreak, the world has been rapidly adapting and transforming. It embraces a post-pandemic future, measuring the impressive impact that science, technology, and innovation have recently had in saving human lives, maintaining human interactions, and preserving our lives and vital social activities.
Research for the Future of Saudi Arabia, will be the overarching theme of the week-long interactions. KROW 2023 agenda also purposely aligns with the Kingdom's RDI agenda. Each of the national RDI priorities of “Health and Wellness,” “Sustainable Environment and Supply of Essential Needs,” “Energy and Industrial Leadership,” and “Economies of the Future” are covered with one full day of presentations, exhibits and discussions, where keynote speakers from KAUST and the Kingdom will engage with the guests and colleagues on strategic research directions, as explained by Magistretti.
Magistretti said that leading global experts will convene at KROW 2023 to "explore new directions for research that could contribute towards the realization of national impact aspirations. The forum will serve as a platform to showcase many projects we have with our partners and collaborators in the Kingdom and will also be a great opportunity to network with universities, industry, governmental leaders, faculty, researchers, and students."
