Research - Overview
Deanship of Scientific Research
The Deanship of Scientific Research (DSR) at King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM) was originally established as part of the Deanship of Graduate Studies in the year 2000, and then became an independent Deanship in September, 2005. The DSR is responsible for the planning, management, promotion and support of research activities that are carried out by the academic departments through internal and external funding. The Deanship is managed by the Dean of Scientific Research. The functional responsibilities of DSR include research activities such as funded research projects, professional conference attendance, sabbatical leaves, release time, research scholarship programs and research awards. In addition, the Deanship manages a central workshop that serves research needs of KFUPM faculty. The Deanship plans and manages research and other scholarly activities through the Scientific Research Council, the Research Committee, the Arabic Research Committee and the Conference Committee.
The Scientific Research Council is a regulatory body chaired by the Dean of Scientific Research and the members are selected from various academic departments. The Research Committee is an executive body composed of 11 members that represent the different University Colleges and the Research Institute. The Arabic research committee concentrates on the review and support of Arabic book authoring and translation in addition to Arabic research projects and studies. The Conference Committee is dedicated to the evaluation of applications submitted by faculty to attend regional and international scientific and professional conferences and meetings. All committees are chaired by the Dean of Scientific Research with members selected/elected from the different academic departments of the University.
Research Institute
Research at the university can be classified into personal, sponsored, and client- funded. The first two categories involve faculty members who may follow their personal interest or participate in research sponsored by the university or other funding agencies. Client-funded research is administered by the Vice Rector for Applied Research and involves academic departments and the Research Institute (RI). The RI is the focus of client-funded research at the university and its full time researchers together with faculty members with the appropriate expertise form teams to undertake research projects.
The mission of the RI is "to serve the nation by conducting client-driven research and development utilizing university resources". Among its objectives are: serve the nation as a professional problem solver; adapt imported technologies to the Saudi environment; serve the needs of government organizations, local industry, and businesses for research and development; develop local expertise and extend the Kingdom's knowledge base; support graduate and undergraduate programs at KFUPM, and contribute to the high quality education and training of students.
The first step in the process of clientfunded research is often a technical memorandum submitted to a prospective client(s) describing the university's applied research capabilities. In other areas, an organization may approach the RI to seek help in dealing with a problem it is facing. Alternatively, the RI may receive a request for proposal (RFP) to quote and undertake particular applied research work. The response in all cases will be a proposal describing the approach, scope, duration, and cost, with milestones and deliverables. Clients normally contract for very specific studies. A project team is formed consisting of faculty members of appropriate background and experience together with selected RI full time researchers. This arrangement reflects the manpower pool for applied research consisting of RI professionals and faculty members.
The technical expertise for applied research available in the RI is focused in its seven centers with their sections/ labs.
- Center for Applied Physical Sciences:
- Laser Research, Basic & Applied Physics, Metrology & Standards Sections, and Central Analytical Laboratory.
- Center for Communications & Computer Research:
- Computer Technology, and Communications Technology Sections.
- Center for Economics & Management Systems:
- Business Incubators, Economic Studies, and Management & Quality Control Sections.
- Center for Engineering Research:
- Materials, Urban Areas Engineering, Engineering Analysis, Energy Systems Sections, and Material Characterization Laboratory.
- Center for Environment & Water:
- Water, Environment, and Marine Studies Sections.
- Center for Petroleum & Minerals:
- Petroleum & Gas Engineering, Petroleum Geology & Geophysics, Mineral Resources, and Remote Sensing Sections.
- Center for Refining & Petrochemicals:
- Refining, Petrochemicals, and Petrochemical Products Development Sections.
Applied research support for the whole university is provided by the Research and Innovation Support Office, and the Support Services Office. The activities encompassed by the RI include:
- use of laser and nuclear techniques for applied research, measurement, and elemental analysis services;
- studies in the areas of communications, computers, and information technology;
- management organization, economic forecasting and database development;
- studies related to mechanical, civil, and electrical engineering such as corrosion, traffic, pavement, electric power, simulation of engineering systems, and materials characterization;
- atmospheric pollution monitoring, landfill waste disposal and groundwater quality, marine pollution, and water resources and irrigation system analysis and modeling;
- optimization of production of oil and gas via appropriate drilling and extraction techniques, maximization of knowledge of oil and gas bearing stratigraphy, enhancement of oil exploration through remote sensing, and mineral resource studies;
- development and improvement of catalysts, processes, and products. Improvement of polymer production processes, enhancement of use of polymers and plastics.
Typically some 50 client funded projects are active at any time and about 100 project reports produced annually. Many hundreds of laboratory services are completed each year, and the number of clients served in a year is about 150. In addition, institute researchers produce over 100 publications in the open literature annually. Several patents have been generated and others are in process. The manpower of the RI is normally around 360 with about 90 each in the categories of PhD, MS, BS, and others. Project teams are typically 35% full time RI researchers, 25% faculty members, 10% students, and 30% support Staff.