Saudi Arabia's Qassim University Showcases Desalination and Date Waste Inventions at Geneva Exhibition
Mohammed Al-Sudairi, the Saudi deputy minister of education, opened the Saudi pavilion at the Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions.
Twenty-six Saudi universities are participating, showcasing 113 inventions in various fields.
Qassim University is presenting a patent for a desalination method using a halophyte plant, registered with the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property.
A researcher at King Saud University, Hezel Alharbi, described an invention that involves placing a plant in a closed system with water, allowing the plant to transpire and collect water for later use.
The process continues with gas exchange and desalination to obtain salt-free water.
Fahad Alminderej, another faculty member, discussed a patent for extracting materials from date waste and using them in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
This patent has been registered with the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property.
Abdullah Almohaimeed, the head of the Innovation Center and Intellectual Property at the university, mentioned that Qassim University was participating in an international exhibition as part of the Ministry of Education's initiative to boost the international presence of Saudi universities.
The university is participating in the world's largest annual invention exhibition, which showcases over 1,000 inventions from 40 countries.
The event, which runs until April 21, features 800 exhibitors and is expected to attract 30,000 visitors and 650 journalists.
The university's involvement highlights its support for innovation and entrepreneurship.