Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Friday, May 09, 2025

Semiconductor leaders convene to localize in-Kingdom expertise

Leading researchers, ministers, investors and corporations will gather on the campus of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) for the Future of Semiconductors Forum 2023, May 15–18, 2023, to discuss the future of the semiconductor economy in Saudi Arabia and strategies for expanding local expertise.
The event is hosted by KAUST and co-organized with the Research Development and Innovation Authority and King Adulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), with KAUST President Dr. Tony Chan and KACST President Dr. Munir M. Eldesouki officiating as honorary chairs.

Semiconductor technologies are embedded in every facet of the modern world, from cellphones and appliances to cars and machines, and the global market depends on an available supply. Yet only a few countries specialize in the design and manufacture of semiconductor products.

A shortage of integrated circuit (IC) chips during the COVID-19 pandemic prompted — the Kingdom to plan for and build an infrastructure of local semiconductor expertise. The annual Semiconductor Forum is an important hub toward this goal, and KAUST is a major contributor, providing specialized research, facilities and resources to advance semiconductor materials and development.

The Forum will showcase the latest developments in the area of semiconductors; stimulate discussion about current challenges and opportunities; and foster collaborations for semiconductor research, development and manufacturing.

The roster engages participants in a full slate of activities such as plenary speeches, discussion sessions, poster competitions and lab tours. Among the featured guests is Nobel Prize Laureate Shuji Nakamura (Physics 2014), professor of materials at University of California, Santa Barbara, whose invention of the blue light-emitting diode (LED) has become the foundation of energy-efficient lighting technology today.

Event sponsors are Invest Saudi, Saudi Aramco, Ajlan & Bros, Bain & Company, Synopsys, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Jeol, Oxford Instruments, and Trysl Tech, with presentations by Eng. Khalid Al Falih, Minister of Investment, and representatives from NEOM, Lucid, major Saudi universities, and many other distinguished institutes.

“By localizing the research and production of sensors, e-chips, photovoltaics and a suite of related semiconductor components, the Kingdom is coming to the table prepared to lead in any number of areas, from the energy transition to the digital revolution,” KAUST President Chan said.

KACST President Eldesouki added, “This is a galvanizing moment for the Kingdom to advance its semiconductor agenda. We have the skills. We have the will. And we have a network of specialized resources for delivering superior products.”

This second forum builds on the success of the first (March 2022), which launched the Saudi Semiconductor Program to conduct scientific research in electronic chip technologies and upskill talent in the field of design and production.

Visit the Future of Semiconductors Forum 2023 website to register and for all event details https://semiconductors.kaust.edu.sa/.

The live stream of the event can be viewed here - https://kaust.link/Dn6f
Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
Common Sense Returns to Britain's Legal System: UK Supreme Court Declares a Woman Is… a Woman
Warren Buffett to Step Down as Berkshire CEO After Nearly 60 Years
Trump Shares AI-Generated Image of Himself as… Pope, Prompting Outrage Reaction
Amazon Launches Satellite Internet Service Amidst Competition with SpaceX
The Rush to the White Gold: Global Investment Surge in Natural Hydrogen Exploration
Trump Administration Removes National Security Adviser Mike Waltz Amid Signal Chat Controversy
Liverpool Clinches Record-Equalling 20th English League Title Under Arne Slot
Massive Explosion at Iran's Bandar Abbas Port Linked to Suspicious Chemical Shipments
Pope Francis Laid to Rest in Rome as World Leaders Attend Funeral
Not Child’s Play: How Competitive Gaming Became a Global Economic Empire
California Surpasses Japan to Become the World’s Fourth-Largest Economy
Former U.S. Congressman George Santos sentenced to eighty-seven months for wide-ranging fraud
Israel Considers Limited Strikes on Iran's Nuclear Facilities Amid Diplomatic Efforts
Saudi Arabia Offers Max Verstappen Unprecedented Deal to Join Aston Martin
Global Pistachio Shortage Amid Rising Demand for 'Dubai Chocolate'
IMF Predicts No Global Recession Amid Trade Tensions
Worldwide Markets Decline as U.S.-China Trade Frictions Intensify
OpenAI Lands Unprecedented $40 Billion Investment
Removing the Political Adversary is Dismantling What's Remaining of Turkey's Economy.
Ex-FIFA President and French Football Icon Acquitted of Corruption Allegations
White House Investigates Security Breach After Journalist Accidentally Added to Secret Yemen Strike Chat
Volunteers in Jeddah Ensure No One Goes Hungry During Ramadan Iftar
New Restaurant Opens in Makkah's Iconic Clock Tower for Ramadan Iftar
Saudi Arabia's Project Masam Removes 552 Houthi Mines in Yemen
Saudi Arabia Fines Over 400 Foreign Trucks for Regulatory Violations
Saudi National Campaign for Charitable Work Reports Significant Donations in Ramadan
Historic Al-Hosn Al-Asfal Mosque Restored in Asir as Part of National Heritage Initiative
KSrelief Expands Humanitarian Efforts in Syria, Sudan, and Lebanon
Saudi Arabia Advocates for Global Water Cooperation at Forum
Madinah Governor Tours Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah
Saudi Foreign Minister in Cairo to Lead Meeting on Gaza Developments
Recognition of Saudi and Pakistani Entrepreneurs at Riyadh Ceremony
UAE Announces $1.4 Trillion Investment Plan in the United States
Saudi Arabia Innovates in Soil Quality and Water Conservation
Governor of Taif Engages with Rose and Aromatic Plants Cooperative
Saudi Food and Drug Authority Enhances Preparations for Hajj Season
Saudi Arabia Distributes Aid to Yemen and Romania
Restoration of Historic Al-Qalaah Mosque in Riyadh Underlines Heritage Preservation Efforts
Saudi Arabia Arrests Over 25,000 for Immigration Violations in One Week
UAE’s ADQ and Energy Capital Partners Announce $25 Billion Energy Venture in the U.S.
KSrelief Launches Extensive Ramadan Food Aid Initiative
Ramadan Celebrations Revitalize Historic Jeddah
Makkah Authorities Urge Worshippers to Follow Crowd Management Guidelines
Direct Flights Between Dammam and Damascus Reestablished for Syrian Residents
Saudi Main Index Rises to Close at 11,760 Amid Mixed Market Performance
Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch Visits Prophet's Mosque in Madinah
Cultural Development Fund Hosts Third Annual Storytellers Event in Riyadh
Investment Surge in Fintech, Gaming, and Health Care Across MENA Region
Surging Prices for Religious Tourism in Saudi Arabia Amid Ramadan Rush
Middle Eastern Airlines’ Fleet Projected to Surge Above Global Growth Rates
×