SDG 9 in Saudi Arabia: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
Sustainable Development Goal 9 (SDG 9) focuses on building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation. In Saudi Arabia, SDG 9 is a cornerstone of Vision 2030, with significant investments in industrial development, infrastructure modernization, and innovation ecosystems aimed at transforming the country into a global hub for technology and innovation.
Efforts by the Saudi Government to Achieve SDG 9
1.Infrastructure Development:
- Mega-projects like NEOM, The Red Sea Project, and Qiddiya showcase Saudi Arabia's commitment to developing world-class infrastructure that integrates sustainability and technology.
- Investments in transportation infrastructure, such as high-speed rail systems (e.g., Haramain High-Speed Railway) and modernized airports, enhance connectivity and efficiency.
2.Industrial Growth:
- The National Industrial Development and Logistics Program (NIDLP) aims to diversify the economy by fostering growth in key industries, including mining, manufacturing, and logistics.
- The government is establishing industrial cities and economic zones, such as the King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), to attract investment and create jobs.
3.Promoting Innovation:
- The Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence (SDAIA) and the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) drive technological research and innovation.
- Saudi Arabia is fostering an innovation-driven economy by supporting startups and entrepreneurship through initiatives like Monsha'at and the Public Investment Fund (PIF).
4.Digital Transformation:
- The Kingdom is heavily investing in digital infrastructure, including the rollout of 5G technology, smart cities, and e-government platforms.
- Programs like Saudi Digital Academy train youth in advanced technology fields, preparing them for the digital economy.
5.Sustainable Industrial Practices:
- The government emphasizes green manufacturing and renewable energy production, aligning industrial growth with environmental sustainability.
- Projects such as the Saudi Green Initiative integrate sustainable practices into industrialization efforts.
6.Supporting Research and Development (R&D):
- Saudi Arabia is increasing its R&D spending to support technological advancements, innovation, and scientific research.
- Partnerships with global universities and research institutions enhance knowledge-sharing and capacity building.
SDG 9 at Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU)
IMSIU actively contributes to SDG 9 by fostering innovation, enhancing infrastructure, and promoting industrial collaboration through its academic and research programs.
1.Research and Innovation:
- IMSIU conducts research in fields such as technology, engineering, and sustainable development to support innovation.
- Faculty and students collaborate on projects addressing infrastructure challenges and technological solutions for industrial growth.
2.Support for Entrepreneurship:
- The university supports student startups through entrepreneurship centers, providing mentoring, funding opportunities, and incubation facilities.
- Workshops and competitions encourage students to develop innovative solutions aligned with national industrial goals.
3.Digital Transformation on Campus:
- IMSIU integrates advanced technologies into campus operations, such as smart classrooms, e-learning platforms, and energy-efficient buildings.
- The university leverages digital tools to enhance administrative efficiency and educational delivery.
4.Infrastructure Development:
- IMSIU invests in modern campus facilities and infrastructure that align with sustainable development principles.
- Collaboration with industrial partners ensures that academic programs meet the evolving demands of industries.
5.Academic Programs for Industry 4.0:
- The university offers specialized courses and training in areas like artificial intelligence, big data, and robotics, preparing students for emerging industrial trends.
- Programs emphasize the integration of Islamic values with technological and industrial advancements.
6.Collaboration with Industry and Government:
- IMSIU partners with industrial sectors and government agencies to bridge the gap between academia and industry.
- Internship programs and research collaborations provide students with hands-on experience in real-world industrial settings.
7.Promoting Sustainable Practices:
- IMSIU integrates sustainability into its projects and research, contributing to the development of green infrastructure and environmentally responsible industrial solutions.
Impact of IMSIU's Contributions to SDG 9
By fostering innovation, building modern infrastructure, and supporting sustainable industrialization, IMSIU aligns its initiatives with national and global goals under SDG 9. The university equips its students with the skills and knowledge needed to contribute to Saudi Arabia's transformation into a knowledge-based and industrialized economy. Through research, education, and partnerships, IMSIU plays a pivotal role in supporting the Kingdom's progress toward a resilient and innovative future.
To promote excellence and innovation in education, scientific research and management. Al-Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University celebrates its distinguished employees. Next Sunday
https://imamu.edu.sa/news/Pages/news_10_10_2024_01.aspx
Under the patronage of His Excellency the Minister of Education, Mr. Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Benyan, Al-Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University, represented by the University's Vice Presidency for Institutional Development and Social Responsibility, organizes the ceremony of the Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University Award for Excellence in its second session to celebrate the distinguished and distinguished employees and academic and administrative units.
This award comes with the aim of promoting a culture of excellence and innovation in the fields of education, research and institutional and administrative excellence, and it is part of the university's strategies aimed at honoring distinguished individuals and units, which contributes to improving the quality of the educational and research process and reflects the university's vision in supporting and developing administrative performance.
The Vice President for Institutional Development and Social Responsibility, Dr. Kholoud bint Fawaz Al-Tamimi, explained that the "Excellence Award in its second session" reflects the university's continuous commitment to excellence and promoting the spirit of innovation in all academic and administrative fields.
Dr. Al-Tamimi said: "The successes achieved by the award in its first session contributed to strengthening the university's position as a leading scientific beacon, confirming the university's continued excellence by celebrating the winners of the second cycle.
It is noteworthy that the award is subject to strict criteria and specific conditions, under the supervision and follow-up of His Excellency the President of the University, to honor the exceptional efforts and achievements that contribute to achieving the sustainable development goals and the university's future vision.
The award includes five categories: the education branch, which is subject to several main criteria, most notably teaching performance that focuses on innovation in designing study plans according to the latest education theories, promoting effective teaching strategies that support learner centrality, and enriching educational content by developing it using inductive and deductive methods.
The award also includes six categories in the research excellence category, including: the Abundance and Quality of Research Production Award, the Best Author and Translator Book Award, the Research Excellence Award for Graduate Students, and the Elite Journals Publishing Award.
In addition, the award includes the Institutional Excellence category, which is divided into two categories: educational units and administrative units. An organizational manual, a job description manual and a policy and procedures manual are required to apply. The unit must also be part of the organizational structure of the university, and must have been established for a full year, and these units are evaluated according to criteria including leadership and management, management of operations and services, results of employees and beneficiaries, and business results.
The categories of the Administrative Excellence Award also include three main areas, including supervisory leaders, second-line leaders, and support services staff, as the award targets the university's administrative employees with certain conditions related to academic achievement, practical experience and commitment to work ethics. Evaluation and differentiation criteria focus on performance and achievement, initiative and professional development, collaboration and job commitment, and leadership skills.
These awards are in recognition of exceptional achievements and innovative initiatives that contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, fostering a stimulating educational and research environment that encourages creativity and excellence.
Sabic innovation award
https://units.imamu.edu.sa/deanships/oldelearn/announcements/Pages/sabic_innovation_award.aspx
The deanship of e-learning and distance education at imam mohammed bin saud islamic university is pleased to invite its students to participate in the sabic innovationaward competition
for details, please visit the sabic innovation award website.
- What Is The Sabic Innovation Award?
- Ideas We Are Looking For
- How Can You Participate?
- Most Common Questions
- Contact
Rector Inaugurates Imam Innovation Forum Tomorrow
https://imamu.edu.sa/en/news/Pages/news-3-6-1439-2.aspx
With the presence and kind patronage of Prof. Dr. Suliman Aba Al-Khail, Rector of Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, and Member of Saudi Senior Ulemas Council, Deanship of Giftedness, Creativity and Excellence will start tomorrow the University Female and Male Students Innovation Forum.
Shedding more lights on the event, Dr. Abdullah bin Thane, Dean of Giftedness, Creativity and Excellence Deanship, has pointed out that, the two-day forum will be arranging at the Madareem Crown Hotel during the next Tuesday and Wednesday from 15:00 P.M. until 21:00 P.M. "It aims mainly to sharpen the knowledgeable and professional skills of all students with a target to help build the knowledge community and accomplishing Saudi Vision 2030 and National Transformation Program 2020", added he.
In a similar vein, Dr. Thane has revealed that, his administration, with the support of H.E. the University Rector and Dr. Mohammad Saeed Al-Alam, Vice-Rector for Knowledge Exchange and International Collaboration, is preparing well for a series of creativity programs, starting with the current one. He, likewise, clarified that, his administration has generated many meetings and workshops and communicated with the prospective participating students to get close with their innovation and ideas.
Closing his statement, Dr. Thane has reaffirmed that, his administration future plans and programs are seeking to accomplish the vision of leader of this beloved homeland, and make it real so as to meet the reborn needs of the community.
Workshop on Leading Change and Transformation and Building a Culture of Innovation
https://imamu.edu.sa/news/Pages/news-21-3-1442-00.aspx
Contemporary global developments in the management of organizations have confirmed that the achievement of sustainable development is conditional on the availability of several elements, the most important of which is creativity and innovation, and entrusted the organizations that have been able to achieve rapid growth to the fact that one of the influencing factors is creativity, innovation, renewal and change in the application of its strategy, and change is one of the greatest challenges facing the university is a modern necessity for its development and continuity, and its transformation from a current situation to a desirable future situation aimed at achieving its strategic vision by increasing its effectiveness and productivity, and the success of the occurrence of this change requires leaders who participate The process of change and are able to implement and stabilize it so that it becomes a dominant and fundamental culture in the university.Based on the ambitious vision of the University (2021-2025) and our belief in the importance of change and its impact on organizations in building a culture of innovation, and under the patronage and honor of His Excellency the President of the University, His Excellency Prof. Dr. Ahmed bin Salem Al Ameri, the Vice Deanship of Scholarship and Training at the Deanship of Human Resources held a workshop entitled "Leading Change, Transformation and Building a Culture of Innovation" through the "ZOOM" program on Tuesday evening, October 27, 2020 at 8 o'clock, in cooperation with Stanford University in the United States of America, and in the presence of members of the Council of The distinguished university, where the workshop presented three main themes in driving change and building a culture of innovation in organizations, and included three speakers from Stanford University.
The workshop began with a welcome from Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Mansour (Undersecretary of the Deanship of Human Resources for Scholarship and Training at Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University) and Mi Zhao (Stanford University), after which the first speaker, Professor Robert Sutton, Professor of Management Sciences, Engineering and Organizational Behavior, presented the first topic that addressed the leadership of organizational change by enumerating a set of key leadership principles, and presenting cases that applied these principles, followed by the second speaker, Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Stanford University. William Burnett spoke about building a culture of innovation using design thinking and the three steps to building a creative culture in the organization, and the last speaker was Tim Wasserman, Chief Learning Officer at the Wasserman Learning Alliance, in which he discussed the challenges and opportunities facing the leadership of transformation at Imam University, and at the end of each topic the speakers received the interventions of the audience and responded to them.
The workshop ended with a closing speech in which His Excellency the President of the University, Prof. Dr. Ahmed bin Salem Al-Ameri, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Mansour Al-Haidari, and His Excellency the Dean of Human Resources, Dr. Ahmed Al-Tahini, participated.
First Student Innovation Forum Website Launched
https://imamu.edu.sa/en/news/Pages/news9-3-1438-5.aspx
The first innovation forum of students of Al-Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University is an energetic model for all universities in caring of its students and tackle each and every platform to sharpen their skills, and broadening their horizons and teaching them new tools that could be applied to any life situation. Says H.E. Prof. Dr. Sheikh Suliman Aba Al-Khail, Rector of Al-Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University and Member of Saudi Senior Ulemas Council, in statements lastly while kicking-off the website designated and created for the forum's purposes.Continued his statements, H.E. the university Rector was clarified that, the core of the forum is to reach to the hearts and ideas of targeting junior students so as to secure them from the devilish and dangerous ideas and synoptical collages of events surrounding them. Its descriptive demonstration of creative and innovative must be attaching to the planning, vision and mission of the forum as a whole, in addition to its positive impact in attracting the maximum possible number of students, added he.
From his side, Dr. Abdullah bin Thane, Dean of Giftedness, Creativity and Excellence, who was attended the launching ceremony of the website, has stated that, the university is seeks to achieve its vision in the building of integrated personality of students in various aspects of life, and qualifying it through the moral values that achieve positive interaction in the community. It has been proven undoubtedly that achieving such goals are not standing at the student in classroom lectures, or readings, but contribute to achieving them, positively and maturely, all activities practicing by students sharpening their personalities spiritually ,physically and intellectually, added he.
In a similar vein, Dr. Thane has furthered that, so came the idea behind the arrangement of the forum to be an arena of competition between the students in twofold main thematic; excellent idea concept and product innovation. That is why H.E. the university Rector has gave directives to organize the specialized working committees of the forum to ensure its success and to benefit them, their university, and the community, concluded he.
It is worth to mention that, Dr. Sami Al-Daham, Head of Scientific Committee of the Forum, and Dr. Samah Hakami, Head of Media Committee of the Forum, were both gave statements on the progressed working of their committees and their contributions to bring success to the forum.
Dr. Al-Jandal Reveals Technological Booms of Al-Imam University
https://imamu.edu.sa/en/news/Pages/news8-9-1436-1.aspx
Dr. Waleed Abdulaziz Al-Jandal, Acting Dean of Al-Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University Information Technology Deanship, has revealed recently the creative technological aspects and developments of Al-Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University in a focus-interview with .GOV Magazine. It is a bilingual monthly magazine for GCC's government departments, public corporations, official entities and related institutions, as well as technology professionals and policy makers.
While his elegant personal photo appearing on the cover of the magazine current-month edition, Dr. Al-Jandal has shed lights on Al-Imam University's most main points in the university's strategic plan. “Improving the faculty and students' tools that they want to use, it has to be done on the technology side. Technology is making life easy for the students and faculty", said he.
Continued his words, Dr. Al-Jandal has stated that, Al-Imam University has undertaken a number of major projects to upgrade its IT infrastructure and to implement new services. The university has 18 colleges and institutes, and all of their requirements had to be collected and considered in the creation of the strategic plan for IT. “One of the first major projects undertaken as part of the plan was the upgrade of the data centre's core switch, and the virtualisation of its servers. It now hosts almost all of the university's applications, and because of the level of performance, Al-Imam University is now considering offering data centre services for other universities, such as application hosting or disaster recovery site hosting", added Dr. Al-Jandal.
In coincidence with the achievements accomplished recently, Dr. Al-Jandal has pointed out that, Al-Imam University has also taken an innovative approach to its network infrastructure while receiving an award from the national Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) for becoming the first university in Kingdom to deploy services using IPv6. It has also only the second government organisation after the CITC itself to deploy IPv6 services.
On the other IT infrastructure projects undertaken, IT Deanship Dean has said that, a major wireless network in-campus project, which, when completed, will support a wide range of services for the university, and will also be one of the largest Wi-Fi networks in the GCC, with over 7,000 indoor and outdoor access points. Additionally, the university has developed a virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) which means that students can access their own personalised virtual desktop from any device they choose, be it laptop, tablet or mobile, and just have to download a certificate to the device for authentication.
Concluding his words, Dr. Al-Jandal has revealed that, his administration is also working with the wider education community and government to develop new services and solutions. The university has a program sponsored by the Saudi e-Government authority “Yesser" to develop e-services, that's why we are focusing more on e-services, how to improve e-services and to stop working with paper, this is one of the main goals we have for our service department.
Panel discussion and two workshops within the program of the Local Cooperation Forum in Research and Development
https://imamu.edu.sa/news/Pages/news-13-7-1440-7.aspx
Aware of the importance of panel discussions and workshops provided an opportunity for researchers and interested people from inside and outside the university to hold a panel discussion entitled: Research partnerships between research centers and the private sector (opportunities and challenges – successful experiences) within the program of the Local Cooperation Forum in Research and Development on Wednesday, 13/7/1440 AH, which was moderated by Dr. Raed Al-Hathloul, Executive Director of the Transformation Management Office, and interspersed with several axes and interventions initiated by Dr. Ayman Abdul Jabbar, Director of the National Center for the Implementation of Electrical Power Systems in the City of King Abdulaziz for Science and Technology addressed the methods of joint cooperation for research and development in the distribution activity between King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, followed by Engineer Waleed Al-Fozan from the Research and Development Department of the Saudi Electricity Company in which he talked about the experiences in achieving sustainability and maintaining superiority and strategic steps that the Saudi Electricity Company was able to overcome during the past period, and from the research and innovation affairs of Alam Dr. Mohammed Al-Qahtani talked about the Elm program, which means in partnership with universities and the private sector, and from The General Directorate of Information Security at STC Dr. Mohsen Al-Hilal explained an overview of the most prominent research interests and projects and their most important means in achieving Vision 2030, and Dr. Hisham Al-Makhdoub, Senior Vice President of Advanced Electronics Company, explained the areas of work of Advanced Electronics Company and its most prominent research interests, and concluded by Dr. Yasser Al-Baida, CEO of Sudair Pharmaceuticals, speaking about the problem of pharmaceutical security.
The questions and queries of the panel discussion were then answered.
It was followed by a workshop to discuss the research interests of electronics and information technology from researchers from Imam University and from national research centers and interested from the private sector in Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Tuwaijri Hall for Men and Women Great Hall in Building 324, where the workshop was opened by Dr. Abdullah Al-Sheddi from the College of Computer and Information addressing the topic of Research Areas Artificial Intelligence and Informaition Security, followed by the Vice Dean of the College of Engineering for Scientific Research Affairs Dr. Nasser Al-Saleh speaking about Role And Priorities, and then between Eng. Abdullah Al-Ghannam from the Research, Communications and Information Technology Institute from King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) on the journey of the National Information Center for Research, then the representative of the General Directorate of Advanced Analysis from the Telecommunications Company talked about the cooperation between educational institutions in universities and the labor market, and then Mr. Mohammed Al-Muhareb from the Marketing and Sales Department of the Education Development Company addressed the digital transformation in education in the Kingdom to reach the goals of Vision 2030, and concluded by Mr. Ammar Al-Enezi with a special presentation about the Research, Communications and Information Technology Institute in King City Abdulaziz for Science and Technology.
A workshop was also held to discuss the research concerns of advanced material treatment and its applications Environment, energy and water treatment in the supporting hall (men), in Building 323 Great Hall (women).
The workshop was opened by Dr. Khalid bin Abdullah Al-Muhanna, Director of the Office of Research, Development and Innovation from Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, in which he spoke about the College of Engineering, facuity statistics, Roie: teaching + Research, Mechanical Eng- Research Areas, civil Eng. . . Research Areas ,Bases FOR Research Areas, Mechanical
After that, Dr. Ibrahim bin Abdulaziz Al-Dayel, Department of Mathematics of the Faculty of Science at Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, spoke about the College of Science and its excellence in the field of scientific research, a historical overview of the establishment of the college, the programs it offers, the faculty members distributed over 17 nationalities, the factors that helped this excellence in scientific research, future horizons, and explained the number of research published by the employees of the College of Science in the disciplines of science and technology in scientific journals, and the number of Research published by the staff of the College of Science in partnership with employees of other Saudi universities, and research cooperation.
Dr. Abdulrahman bin Mohammed Al-Badri, Director of the National Center for Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials from the Materials Science Research Institute King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, spoke about Research Institutes , Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials, Sensing Measurements, Fabrication of Sensor.
After that, Dr. Abdulaziz Kurdi from the National Center for Building and Construction Technology from the Materials Science Research Institute King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology spoke about Advanced Building Materials: composite Glass ceramic Tiles, pours glass-ceramic, Interlock Brick and Block, Environmentally Friendly concrete , Artificial palm wood , Saudi artificial wood ,
M. ABDULMAJEED BIN KHALED AL-Rubai'an offers the national center for water technologies from the water and energy research institute king abdulaziz city for science and technology between center manager; PMO ADMINISTRATIVE AFFAIRS, Adsorption Desalination and cooling (ADC) Technology , CODECO Solar Village , Micro Nano Bubble Flotation Water Treatment.
Dr. Nasser bin Abdulrahman Al-Khamshi explained the Research Institute of Nuclear Sciences from King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST Institutes), Consultation, radiological and chemical evaluation of 15 water purification plants, training and qualification of employees of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in the field of radiation protection and radiological and chemical measurements, evaluation of the radiation and chemical level in irrigation water and animal and agricultural products, environmental field survey and disinfection of the fields of the Gulf War, evaluation of the radiation and chemical level in the biological samples of workers On the clearance of fields, environmental and radiological assessment of the residues of water purification plants, environmental and radiological assessment of the mining systems of the cradle of gold, preliminary study of the high level of water in residential areas within Wadi al-Adraba in the city of Hail, study of the selection of sites of the National Center for Radioactive Waste Management, analysis of samples of imported and local building materials, participation in the issuance of national instructions for drinking water specifications, analysis of samples of imported foodstuffs and assessment of their absence of radioactive elements, measurement
In conclusion, Dr. Abdullah Bukhari, Executive Director of Renewable Energy and Environmental Management from Nadek, spoke about Safety, Renewable Energy, Environment, Waste Managemenet, Purpose, CORE programs; pv , biogas, waste handling , Recyclin ,waste to Energy..
On the sidelines of the two workshops, I received interventions and answered questions.
