Innovation
From The Report: Saudi Arabia 2023
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Saudi Arabia is restructuring its innovation ecosystem, focusing on harnessing top scientists, researchers and inventors; increasing intellectual property; and attracting private investment and venture capital. Funding is being channelled into research, development and innovation (RDI). financing a diverse range of projects and partnerships. Synergising the three constituent components of RDI will be key to achieving these goals. There have been early signs of progress in this regard, with the Kingdom rising through global innovation-related rankings in recent years. Sector-specific strategies are also being explored to build a more productive innovation ecosystem that can support broad-based economic growth. Meanwhile, the entrepreneurial spirit of the Kingdom’s young, motivated and increasingly diverse workforce signals promise for advancements in the Saudi RDI space in the years ahead.

This chapter contains an interview with Munir Eldesouki, CEO, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology; and Head, Founding Team, Research Development and Innovation Authority.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Driving progress: Increased spending supports the development of sustainability initiatives and strengthens the start-up ecosystem
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The innovation ecosystem was restructured in 2022 to enable the Kingdom to harness the capabilities and experience of its top scientists, researchers and inventors, increase marketable intellectual property, and stimulate inflows of private investment and venture capital to innovation-related entities. Funding is being channelled into research, development and innovation (RDI), financing a diverse range of projects and partnerships. Synergising the three constituent components of RDI will be key…

Analysis

Global collaboration: Efforts are under way to diversify international partnerships and fuel research, development and innovation
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Key public and private research, development and innovation (RDI) institutions are being harnessed to cultivate domestic and international partnerships designed to foster knowledge-sharing and skill transfer, and reinforce the innovation ecosystem in the Kingdom. Indeed, the Sustainable Partnerships Conference held in Riyadh in November 2022 resulted in 50 partnerships being signed between Saudi universities and public and private entities from various sectors. Key Players In 2009 King Abdullah…

Interview

Research insights: Munir Eldesouki, CEO, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST); and Head, Founding Team, Research Development and Innovation Authority (RDIA), on local innovation
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Interview: Munir Eldesouki In what ways can the RDIA address the scientific and technological challenges facing Saudi Arabia? MUNIR ELDESOUKI: Saudi Arabia’s growing global prominence in science, technology, and innovation is evident as it ascended 15 spots in the World Intellectual Property Organisation’s 2022 Global Innovation Index, with credit to its robust digital infrastructure, among other factors. The Kingdom’s scientific output places it at the forefront of the Arab world. The RDIA…

Analysis

Patented innovation: Developments in higher education aim to boost patent filing
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In terms of the filing of international patents, 2022 was a record-breaking year, with higher education playinga significant role in driving innovation and expanding international practices regarding intellectual property (IP). The UNWorld Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) reported in February 2023 that 278,100 international patents had been filed globally in 2022, a 0.3% increase from 2021 andrepresenting the 13th consecutive year of growth. Revealingly, the largest share…