Research Programs
NSTIP defines following
research programs that are essential for the Kingdom’s future development. These programs are:
The main motivation of the 
program is to promote and support Saudi economic, social, security,
developmental and other national interests through localizing (including
initial transfer) and developing properly selected strategic and advanced
technologies in the water area.The impetus for the water technology program
stems from the specific needs of the Kingdom. The Kingdom faces a number of
water resources limitations. It also stems from the role that water plays in
the Kingdom's development plans, as well as the importance of water issues
and policies internationally. This plan is based on input from the users and
stakeholders of water technology in the Kingdom, including government
agencies, industry and universities that have a role in water technology...
[English][Arabic].
Technology target areas were
defined using a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT)
analysis. This analysis took inputs from many professionals representing
nearly all of the oil and gas companies and universities in the Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia. These individuals helped define the technology target areas by
outlining the challenges that the Kingdom faces and expects to face in the
future...
[English][Arabic].
Refining &
Petrochemicals
In this connection, and in
order for Saudi Arabia to efficiently utilize its natural resources from oil
and gas in the petrochemical industry, it is necessary for all stakeholders
(i.e., governmental and private sectors, universities, research centers, and
petrochemicals manufacturers) to collaborate jointly in...
[English][Arabic].
 The Mission of the National
Nanotechnology Program is to ensure that the Kingdom is a major player
within the international community in the research and development of
nanotechnologies. By taking a collaborative and interdisciplinary approach
to nanotechnology, the plan will foster academic excellence and ensure that
world-class research and development facilities are available to all parts
of the economy, from academic institutions to industry, with a strong focus
on supporting the future economic strategy of the Kingdom and transferring
technologies from the research community to industry. The Vision of the
National Nanotechnology Program is to create a multidisciplinary program
leveraging all branches of science in order to build competence and
capability in nanotechnologies that will help to ensure the future
competitiveness of the Kingdom...
[English][Arabic]
 Advanced materials are
critical for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). There is a potential for the
Kingdom to capture greater value-added from petroleum through the
development of petrochemical-based materials, including polymers and
composites. Further potential comes from natural mineral resources if
coupled with advanced technologies to produce new advanced materials. There
is a great need for improved materials for use in water desalination and in
the petroleum and petrochemical industries. There are also needs for
specialized medical materials, aerospace and defense materials, and new
construction materials. This plan is based on input from the users and
stakeholders for advanced materials in the Kingdom, including government
agencies, industry, universities, and medical centers that use advanced
materials or conduct advanced materials R&D...
[English][Arabic].
Electronics &
Telecommunications
ECP technologies are
particularly broad in scope and are used in virtually all applications. As a
result, the focus of the Electronics, Communications and Photonics program
has been narrowed to four initiatives and six special technologies. These
initiatives and technologies were selected based on the specific needs and
objectives of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia...
[English][Arabic].
Biotechnology &
Genetic Engineering
This plan is to cover the
next five years (2008 – 2012) and is to include all applications of
biotechnology. This plan was developed after carefully studying the state of
biotechnology research and development in the Kingdom. The Natural Resources
and Environment Research Institute (NRERI) has prepared this plan with the
assistance of biotechnology experts from academic institutions, governmental
agencies, and private companies. The involvement of these stakeholders was
important to the successful development of this plan...
[English][Arabic].
 Information technology is a
particularly important technology for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). IT
has been a key driver of productivity growth and economic growth in many
countries around the world. IT development generates productivity growth
throughout the economy by facilitating the rapid dissemination of
information, by refocusing the workforce on higher value activities, by
creating new services and by aiding education and training. IT, especially
computer modeling, data analysis, and databases, also enables advances in
almost all fields of science and technology. The competitiveness of the
Kingdom as it moves into knowledge-based industries, such as finance,
telecommunications, health care, and education, relies heavily on IT...
[English][Arabic].
The vision for the program
is:
“Over the next five years,
with the strategic support of other key stakeholders, is to become a
regional leader in space and aeronautical activities not limited to research
and development and will support the needs of national security and
sustainable development within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) in these
disciplines”...
[English][Arabic].
 Energy technologies are of
particular importance to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Energy is a key
driver of the country’s development and economic growth. Furthermore, the
electricity sector in the Kingdom faces great challenges in fulfilling the
rising demand for electricity consumption that is the foundation for
economic and social development. The annual growth of electricity
consumption in the KSA is estimated at 6.4 percent. In order to meet this
demand, additional generation plants and reinforcement of distribution and
transmission systems are needed. The estimated power generation for the year
2023 is estimated at 59,000 megawatts compared with 25,000 megawatts in
2001. Attempts to find scientific solutions to keep pace with this growing
demand necessitate technology transfer and the development of technologies
to improve electrical energy generation, transmission, distribution, and
utilization...[English][Arabic].
Environment
Protection
Environmental technologies
are particularly important in the Kingdom, where waste, pollution, air
quality and degradation of natural resources have significant environmental
implications. The importance of advanced environmental technologies is to
protect the environment and maintain a high quality of life within the
Kingdom...[English][Arabic].
The scope of this plan is
national: it is an agriculture research and innovation plan for the Kingdom
of Saudi Arabia. It details the strategic plan for acquisition, development
and transfer of agricultural technologies in the Kingdom for the next five
years (2010-2015). It was developed by KACST’s strategic planning
department, in a coordinated effort involving key public and private sector
organizations from food and agriculture stakeholders....[English].
Mathematics and Physics 
Mathematics and physics R&D
is a multidisciplinary field that spans several distinct research and
application areas such as: applied physics, applied mathematics, optics, and
instrumentation. The overall field, “mathematics and physics”, as well as
sub-topics,....[English].
Medical and Health 
The scope of this plan is
national. It is a research and innovation plan for the medical and health
sciences field in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The plan involves
universities, industry, and government stakeholders. KACST supported the
development of this plan financially, technically and logistically, while
KFSHRC provided project management, subject matter expertise and planning
leadership with overall responsibility for coordination with stakeholders.....[English].
Building and Construction 
The scope of this strategic
plan is national: it is a plan for research and innovation in the building
and construction sector of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The plan involves
and affects independent research organizations, universities, industry,
KACST and other government organizations related to the sector......[English].
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