OREANDA-NEWS. May 10, 2012. The Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) and the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), Dhahran, are exploring new avenues for future collaborative research in multidisciplinary fields of technology and innovation and knowledge development. SABIC extends an annual grant of SR 3,950,000 to the university to carry its research efforts further, particularly in petrochemicals, material engineering and corrosion control.

In this regard, a SABIC delegation, led by Dr. Ernesto Occhiello, SABIC Executive Vice President, Technology and Innovation, visited KFUPM and met with the senior leadership of the university, led by Dr. Khalid Al-Sultan, University Rector, to discuss potential areas for future scientific cooperation.

Speaking about SABIC’s support to KFUPM’s research programs, Dr Occhiello said that out of the SR 3,950,000 funding to the university,  SR 2,000,000 is earmarked for the SABIC Chair for Corrosion, and SR 1,950,000 for grants, research projects and conferences participation. “We see our support as enabling the university to boost its research capacity, and its faculty researchers to earnestly pursue their projects.”

SABIC has been a committed supporter of scientific research at Saudi universities. The research areas for support were initially drawn from the company’s immediate areas of interest including, chemicals and petrochemicals, metallurgy, fertilizers, polymers and catalysts. The scope was later widened to include topics such as pollution control and industrial waste disposal. SABIC also encourages research conducted by individual researchers at Saudi universities on projects related to the company’s business.

On SABIC’s overall funding for various scientific research projects in Saudi Arabia, Dr Occhiello said that the company’s objective is in large part to stimulate research and strengthen education in science and technology. “We will continue this approach and foster close cooperation with universities and research centers through grants and funding programs. We also seek to advance science and technology capabilities of faculty members by facilitating their participation in conferences and scientific forums,” he said.

SABIC has also been playing a supportive role in patent registration and in the establishment and financing of scientific chairs at universities to boost innovation and overall knowledge-based advancement in the Kingdom, Dr. Occhiello said.

During the visit to KFUPM, the SABIC delegation visited Dhahran Techno Valley where they were briefed on the development of research and technology at the Valley by Prof Halim Redhwi, President of Dhahran Techno Valley Company. Besides Dr Occhiello, the meeting was also attended by Dr. Waleed Al-Shalfan General Manager, SABIC Technology Center in Jubail; Dr.  Abdullah Saeed Al-Amri, Manager, SABIC External Network and Projects; Dr. Suhail Abdel-Jawad, KFUPM Deputy Chancellor for Applied Research; Dr. Mohammed Al-Hamoud, KFUPM Vice Rector for Academic Affairs; Dr. Nasser Al-Aqeeli, KFUPM Vice Rector for Scientific Research; and Dr. Loai Al-Hadhrami and Dr. Zuhair Qassim, both managers at the KFUPM Engineering Research Center.