Research Support

Research & Innovation Support Office

The Research & Innovation Support Office (RISO) provides support to contract research activities in the University. Its activities include: preparation of proposals, reports, and technical memoranda (TM), maintaining liaison with clients; acting as depository of reports and project related statistics; providing legal counseling in contract preparation and associated documents; technical and English editing; preparation of marketing materials; and developing and executing strategies for marketing the research capabilities of the University.

A major function of RISO is to ensure the quality of proposals and reports produced by the University.  To this end, quality assurance and quality control techniques are used.  The quality assurance elements consist of various procedures documented in the Policy & Procedures Manual; revisions of these are undertaken and new procedures added from time to time.

The RISO keep the project managers and host units (RI centers and academic departments) informed on the status of each research project and data summaries, which show accomplishments, due and actual delivery dates of all deliverable items, and other information. These reports enable managers to review project progress and take corrective action in problem areas.  Other important documents coordinated and generated via this office are center and subject brochures and RI’s annual progress report.

The RISO has a network-wide scanning and archiving in place for all research documentation and publications. (click here for more)

Support Services Office

The Support Services Office (SSO) provides a wide range of administrative and technical services needed by the contract research sector of the University.  The aim of SSO is to provide efficient and high quality services to contract research in the University.  These include personnel affairs, financial affairs, space management, installation of new equipment, logistics, printing, etc.

The Project Accounting Section (PAS) through an integrated enterprise resource planning (ERP) system monitors accounts of RI projects; the office keeps and updates records of client-funded projects. The section also coordinates with the KFUPM Financial Affairs Department and Comptroller’s Office.

The SSO is also oversees safety awareness among the staff in terms of routine checking of laboratories and work sites, recommending necessary safety enhancing procedures, conducting awareness campaigns, and encouraging safe working habits. click here for more)