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King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology
مدينة الملك عبدالعزيز للعلوم والتقنية
Logo of King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology
Established1977
PresidentMunir M. Eldesouki
Location
Riyadh
,
 Saudi Arabia

PJ8V+R8 Al Raed, Riyadh
Website[2]

King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST; Arabic: مدينة الملك عبدالعزيز للعلوم والتقنية) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia is a governmental organization established in 1977 as the Saudi Arabian National Center for Science & Technology (SANCST); in 1985, it was renamed King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology.

History

In 1977, the Saudi Arabian National Center for Science and Technology (SANCST) was established, with Prof. Rida M.S. Obaid being the president. This center was created as an independent scientific organization that is responsible for the promotion of science and technology in Saudi Arabia. However, the name was later changed to King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST). In 1987, KACST has joined the International Council for Science (ICSU) as a National Member.[1]

In 1984, Abdul Rahman Al-Athel was named as the President of the city. In 2007, Mohammed Ibrahim Al-Suwaiyel, who used to be the KACST vice president for research, became the president. HH Dr. Turki Al Saud is the KACST vice president.[citation needed]

Organization

Institutes

The research complex is divided into the following research institutes:[citation needed]

Centers

KACST has many different research centers, including:[2][3]

Programs

KACST is now working in the following programs:[6]

Projects

The National Science, Technology and Innovation Plan

The National Science, Technology and Innovation Plan (NSTIP) is a collaboration between the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology and the Ministry of Economy and Planning. This program was approved by the Council of Ministers in 2002. This program has fifteen strategic technologies that will help the future development of Saudi Arabia.[7]

These plans are:[8] Water, Oil and Gas, Petrochemicals Technology, Nanotechnologies, Biotechnology, Information Technology, ECP (Electronics, Communications, Photonics), Space and Aeronautics Technology, Energy, Advanced Materials, Environment, Mathematics and Physics, Medical and Health, Agricultural Technology, Building and Construction

King Abdullah's Initiative for Arabic Content

King Abdullah's Initiative for Arabic Content [ar] is a project that aims to provide high-quality Arabic contents in all disciplines. To achieve this goal, KACST started to work with the local and international organizations. For example:

Nuclear technology

See also: Nuclear program of Saudi Arabia

In 1988, KACST starts planning to develop nuclear technology in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, KACST decided to open the Atomic Energy Research Institute (AERI). This Institute will help Saudi Arabia to develop the nuclear power along with King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy.[13] The AERI has four different departments: Radiation Protection Department, Industrial Applications, Nuclear Reactors and Safety, and a Materials Department[14]

Scientific achievements

Information Technology Unit (ITU)

Information Technology requirements for research center and city staff is fulfilled by the ITU section situated in building No. 1.[citation needed]

Internet proxy for Saudi Arabia

The King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology operates the Internet backbone in Saudi Arabia as well as the local registry address space. According to RIPE, "all Saudi Arabia web traffic will come from [the] IP block" registered to KACST.[17]

Board Membership

See also

References

  1. ^ "Detailed information — ICSU". Icsu.org. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
  2. ^ "الرئيسية". Kacst.edu.sa. Archived from the original on 2013-08-21. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
  3. ^ [1] Archived May 30, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ "KACST GIS Innovation Center (GISTIC)| GIS projects | GIS Center | R&D Center in Saudi Arabia". GISTIC. Retrieved 2015-02-24.
  5. ^ "NASA Partners with Saudi Arabia on Moon and Asteroid Research". Nasa.gov. Retrieved 8 October 2014.
  6. ^ "الرئيسية". Kacst.edu.sa. Archived from the original on 2013-08-26. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
  7. ^ "حددت السياسة الوطنية للعلوم والتقنية، التي أقرها مجلس الوزراء في المملكة العربية السعودية لعام 1423ه (2002 م)، 15 تقنية إستراتيجية تعتبر جوهرية وأساسية". Nstip.kacst.edu.sa. Retrieved 24 February 2015.
  8. ^ "حددت السياسة الوطنية للعلوم والتقنية، التي أقرها مجلس الوزراء في المملكة العربية السعودية لعام 1423ه (2002 م)، 15". Nstip.kacst.edu.sa. Retrieved 24 February 2015.
  9. ^ "Nature Arabic Edition Inaugural Issue Published - DUBAI, UAE, October 17, 2012/PRNewswire/". M.prnewswire.com. 2012-10-17. Archived from the original on January 11, 2013. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
  10. ^ "Press release archive: About NPG". Nature.com. 2011-10-03. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
  11. ^ "ويكي عربي |". Wikiarabi.org. Archived from the original on 2013-08-31. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
  12. ^ "ويكي عربي 2: مشروع إثراء موسوعة ويكيبيديا | ويكي عربي". Wikiarabi2.org. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
  13. ^ "Atomic Energy Research Institute". Kacst.edu.sa. Archived from the original on 2013-05-28. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
  14. ^ Sokolski, Henry D. (2005). Getting Ready for Nuclear-Ready Iran - ßĘČ Google. DIANE. ISBN 9781428916340. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
  15. ^ "Saudi Arabia". International-relations.web.cern.ch. 2013-01-30. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
  16. ^ "D. Mohammed Al Suwaiyel Inaugurates the First Phase of Operating the Electrostatic Accelerator". Kacst.edu.sa. 2012-05-16. Archived from the original on 2013-08-05. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
  17. ^ "Internet Filtering in Saudi Arabia in 2004". Retrieved 8 October 2014.

External links

International Science Council (ISC)
Authority control databases
Categories