Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Sunday, Jun 22, 2025

KAUST forged new partnerships, showcased smart initiatives and innovations at LEAP 2023

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) participated in the second edition of LEAP 2023, a global platform for future technologies where pioneering technology professionals worldwide convene to network and share innovations. The four-day annual tech conference (Feb 6–9) was hosted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
KAUST President Dr. Tony Chan was one of the top tech speakers at the event. In his keynote lecture, "Global Competition in Technology Innovation," he emphasized the importance of universities being critical drivers for building sustainable innovation ecosystems that, in turn, serve as the basis for national and global centers of excellence.

In addition, KAUST Chief Information Officer Dr. Jason Roos gave a lecture on "The Impact of AI on Cybersecurity,” explaining how artificial intelligence can improve this crucial field.

The KAUST booth at the conference met with a huge turnout, and visitors had the opportunity to learn about the university's role in promoting ecosystems for research, development and innovation in Saudi Arabia. The booth displayed several research projects and initiatives, including the KAUST Artificial Intelligence Initiative, KAUST-SDAIA Center of Excellence, and Smart-Health Initiative. Furthermore, it showcased several prototypes for smart city solutions, such as drone delivery, smart life, autonomous vehicles and data centers (featuring updates on its new III Shaheen supercomputer). The booth also included an introductory corner featuring the University’s entrepreneurship, innovation, and national and development programs.

A video broadcast at the booth, "Cisco Country Digital Acceleration," demonstrated the deep partnership between KAUST and Cisco Saudi Arabia in using transformative technologies to advance digital innovation for the future.

KAUST Innovation also participated in various workshops at the conference led by Professor Hattan Ahmed, Head of the KAUST Entrepreneurship Center.

KAUST signed five strategic Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) at LEAP. Its first agreement with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology aims to achieve fruitful cooperation between the two parties to support research and development in communication and information technology such as 5G and 6G, and various other applications, including smart solutions, the Internet of Things (IoT) and online education.

An MoU with King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) intends to advance collaboration programs in research, innovation and education to meet national challenges in energy, life sciences, desert agriculture, semiconductors and water.

KAUST’s agreement with ENOWA – NEOM will integrate AI-led technologies into the energy sector of the Kingdom.

The University signed an MoU with Microsoft to develop the capabilities necessary to access world-class research and technologies and accelerate innovation.

Finally, KAUST signed an MoU with the Saudi Telecom Company (STC) to develop a fruitful strategic research partnership that will enable the institutes to leverage KAUST’s global research excellence in advanced communication technologies, AI and emerging technologies to transform how Saudi society communicates and does business — goals that support Saudi Vision 2030 through innovation and research in technical fields.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
We have new information and breaking details to share about what is shaping up to be a historic air campaign tonight
Six Massive Bombs Dropped on Fordow; Trump: 'A Historic Moment for the U.S., Israel, and the World'
Fordow: Deeply Buried Iranian Enrichment Site in U.S.–Israel Crosshairs
United States Conducts Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
US strikes Iran nuclear sites, Trump says
Pakistan to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize.
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
G7 Leaders Fail to Reach Consensus on Key Global Issues
Mass exodus in Tehran as millions try to flee following Trump’s evacuation order
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
Iran Conducts Ballistic Missile Launches Amid Heightened Tensions with Israel
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
Shock Within Iran’s Leadership: Khamenei’s Failed Plan to Launch 1,000 Missiles Against Israel
Trump's Anti-War Stance Tested Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
Wreck of $17 Billion San José Galleon Identified Off Colombia After 300 Years
Iran Launches Extensive Missile Attack on Israel Following Israeli Strikes on Nuclear Sites
Israel Issues Ultimatum to Iran Over Potential Retaliation and Nuclear Facilities
Black Box Recovered from Air India Crash Site
Coinbase CEO Warns Bitcoin Could Supplant US Dollar Amid Mounting National Debt
Trump to Iran: Make a Deal — Sign or Die
Operation "Like a Lion": Israel Strikes Iran in Unprecedented Offensive
Israel Launches 'Operation Rising Lion' Targeting Iranian Nuclear and Military Sites
Israeli Forces Intercept Gaza-Bound Aid Vessel Carrying Greta Thunberg
IMF Warns of Severe Global Trade War Impacts on Emerging Markets
Syria to Reconnect to Global Economy After 14 Years of Isolation
Israel Confirms Arming Gaza Clan to Counter Hamas Influence
Global News Roundup: From Ukraine's strategic military strikes and Russia's demands and Tensions Escalate in Ukraine, to serious legal issues faced by Britons in Bali and Trump's media criticism, the latest developments highlight a turbulent landscape
U.S. Reduces Military Presence in Syria
Trump Demands Iran End All Uranium Enrichment in Nuclear Talks
Iran Warns Europe Against Politicizing UN Nuclear Report
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
EU Central Bank Pushes to Replace US Dollar with Euro as World’s Main Currency
European and Arab Ministers Convene in Madrid to Address Gaza Conflict
×