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KAUST, Dow Chemical to set up R&D center

JEDDAH: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology ( KAUST ) and the Dow Chemical Company ( Dow ) have finalized a comprehensive cooperation agreement to set up Dow 's Middle East and Africa R&D Center at KAUST on the university's campus.

The agreement represents another milestone for Dow as a founding member of the KAUST Industrial Collaboration Program (KICP). The deal is expected to enhance Dow 's offering of academic and professional opportunities to the KAUST community and Saudi citizens, according to a statement.

Dow previously unveiled its vision for an R&D partnership with KAUST at the Dow Innovation Summit in March 2010.

Dow and KAUST will collaborate on a range of academic research programs tailored to KAUST 's areas of excellence in research and education under the deal.

Research and development will be carried out at the KAUST Innovation Cluster facilities until a permanent Dow facility is completed at the KAUST Research Park.

Research will initially focus on water, water treatment technologies, and oil and gas, later expanding to include fields of study pertaining to infrastructure.

Dow will also provide financial support for research challenge competitions under the agreement, the statement added.

Dow announced plans for the R&D Center in September 2009, shortly after announcing that it would become a founding member of KICP, which aims to enrich the research experience at the University while promoting economic development in Saudi Arabia.

"The Dow-KAUST agreement represents a win-win partnership," said KAUST President Professor Choon Fong Shih.

He added: " Dow will be able to leverage KAUST 's talented students and outstanding faculty for expertise in cutting-edge technologies. KAUST will benefit from Dow 's long-standing R&D capabilities and its market and commercialization expertise as of one of the world's leading science and technology companies."

Dow Middle East President Markus Wildi said the Dow R&D center at KAUST "is a reflection of our commitment to the intellectual and human potential of this distinguished institution".

He added: Our collaboration agreement lends strong support to the notion that Saudi Arabia will become an engine of innovation and a generator of solutions for modern developmental challenges like clean water supply and sustainable living."

He pointed out that KAUST combines socio-economic vision, technological capabilities, and commitment to talent development in a very creative and rather unique way.

"We are proud to be partnering with KAUST to pursue scientific leadership and research excellence," he said.

© Arab News 2011