• Program starting points

The Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which stipulates “education contributes to advancing the economy” and “for five Saudi universities to become among the top 200 international universities”

The mission of King Saud University: Providing distinguished education and producing creative research that serves society.

Several initiatives from the first, fifth and seventh strategic goals of KSU2030.

The first strategic goal is “distinguished scientific research,” the fourth strategic plan of the Deanship of Scientific Research 2017-2021 is “increasing the participation of the social and human sciences in scientific research,” and the sixth strategic goal is “effective partnership with the private sector and industry.”

 

• Program definition

A research program that provides a space/field to give opportunities to faculty members and researchers in various colleges and academic departments at the university to carry out research projects of an applied and multi/interdisciplinary nature and linked to important issues of the highest priority for society and the nation. Due to the nature of this type of complex economic, social and technical issues and problems facing society (housing, water, energy, unemployment, extremism, terrorism, etc.), diagnosing and analyzing them scientifically, not to mention finding solutions to them, requires expertise from several scientific fields and requires studying them. Diverse experiences from economics, sociology, statistics, management, demographics, industry, government agencies, and others. This is what will distinguish the nature of the projects within this program.

 

The need for the program

The proposal contributes to the university playing an active role in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and the National Transformation Program 2020.

The performance of Saudi universities in the areas of applied research projects dealing with issues and problems facing Saudi society is below the expected level.

The program provides a framework for faculty members and researchers at the university to present their distinguished expertise and put it into practice.

The proposal contributes to increasing the university’s role in this important type of applied research projects that are compatible with the Kingdom’s development priorities and needs.

• Objectives:

1-Study, address and propose solutions to scientific, societal and environmental problems relevant to Saudi society and the Arabian Peninsula region through high-quality scientific research.

2-Strengthening scientific partnership within the Kingdom and between Saudi universities and scientific institutions.

3-Scientific projects that serve the Kingdom’s 2030 vision.

4-Contributing to achieving the objectives of the strategic plan of King Saud University and the areas of focus.

5-Contributing to providing solutions to development issues of national priority (one of the Key KSU Mission).

6-Increasing the research productivity of faculty members of an applied nature and related to issues of priority to society.

7-Increase the university's overall research output.

8-Optimal exploitation of the distinguished research capabilities and their integration in this comprehensive university.

9-Contributing to raising the university’s reputation locally and globally.

10-Increasing the output of multi-disciplinary research.

11-Contributing to supporting the trend towards a knowledge economy through producing knowledge and sharing it with stakeholders (stakeholders)

12-Increasing external research funding.

 

 

• Proposed areas of research projects and priorities.

 

Addressing societal problems.

Develop proposals for industry problems.

Develop innovative plans in the medical fields.

Developing scientific research in the fields of the pharmaceutical industry.

Developing and modernizing education.

Development and protection of the environment.

Developing the historical and religious tourism sector and new and coastal cities.

Contributing to finding solutions for alternative and renewable energy and thermal energy.

 

The following table shows the proposed priorities in detail:

_____

____

 

 

Procedures, implementation mechanisms and conditions

 

1.Announcing the initiative.

2.Submit through custom forms.

3.The submitted projects must be joint with scientific and industrial beneficiaries.

4.The duration of the project is two years.

5.All participating and beneficiary entities support the project scientifically and financially.

6.A research proposal is submitted that is compatible with the priorities and approved by the participating entities, including the suggested scientific team .

7. Submit CVs to all participants.

8.Provides a detailed budget proposal for the project.

9.The proposal will be judged by specialized scientific committees.

10.Provides periodic reports on what has been accomplished.

11.Final reports are submitted after the project is completed.

12.Reports are governed by specialized scientific committees.

13.The project is supported by all beneficiaries.

14.Financial dues are disbursed in the form of payments.

 

The expected impact of the program

• Localized and sustainable research capabilities within the university in this type of national project.
• The university's high reputation is linked to its ability to undertake this type of complex project.
• Better investment in diverse research talent within this comprehensive university.
• The university is a source for transferring knowledge and its applications to society through distinguished research projects.
• An essential and effective role for the university to support the trend towards the knowledge economy of the Kingdom.
• Better ability to transform knowledge into solutions that can be applied.
• The university is a destination for national bodies and institutions to seek advice and expertise.

Research proposal

1. A joint research proposal is submitted in accordance with the scientific specializations and priorities mentioned above, approved by the participating entities.
2. The proposal includes an introduction to the proposed research topic, the data used and their sources, scientific methods and tools. The proposal also includes a summary of the expected scientific outcomes and the desired benefits for the Kingdom.
3. The proposal includes a list of the joint scientific team from all participating entities.
4. An expected performance indicators form approved by all participants must be submitted.
5. All project participants must be of distinguished scientific competence and experience.
6. The CV of all members of the participating scientific team must be submitted.

Reports

1. Submitting semi-annual periodic reports on what has been accomplished.
2. The scientific results of the project must be published in peer-reviewed scientific research in scientific journals classified in the Web of Science
3. Submits a final report
4. The final report includes details of the project work and what has been accomplished. It also includes the data used, their sources, scientific methods, tools, results, recommendations, and published research.
5. The reports are examined and evaluated by specialized scientific committees according to the objectives of the initiative and the project, the performance indicators presented, and the positive extent of the results and proposed solutions.

 

Financial dues

• All beneficiaries and participants support the project financially in the amount of ....... Saudi riyals.
• The project’s financial dues will be disbursed in three installments as follows:

1. advance payment.
2. A second batch after submitting the annual report and accepting it according to the performance indicators provided.
3. A final payment after submitting the final report and accepting it according to the initiative’s objectives and the performance indicators presented.