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SABIC, KAUST launch post-doctoral fellowship awards to support talented scientists

With the primary goal of supporting talented scientists and encouraging technology development in Saudi Arabia, Saudi Basic Industries Corporation ( SABIC ) and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology ( KAUST ) launched the SABIC Post-Doctoral Fellowship Awards at an inaugural awards function at the university campus in Thuwal, near Jeddah, on November 19.

The inaugural awards went to 15 outstanding post-doctoral fellows from across KAUST 's three academic divisions: Chemical and Life Sciences and Engineering; Mathematical and Computer Sciences and Engineering; and Physical Sciences and Engineering. The winning fellows' research interests span the critical areas of new and renewable energies, water research, advanced materials, catalysis, scientific computational services, renewable feedstocks, materials engineering, and nanotechnologies. Candidates for the awards were nominated by their research supervisors, while the winners were selected by a specialized committee comprised of experts from SABIC and the university.

Commenting on the pioneering awards, Mohamed Al-Mady, SABIC Vice Chairman and CEO, said that they are an expression of the company's support for identifying and developing talent in science, and expanding academic experience. "We are supporting outstanding research that is not only related to our business and future plans, but also relevant to the development and expansion of knowledge for the benefit of humankind. Most of these investigative areas are long-term, blue-sky, and are intended to serve the interests of the Kingdom, the region and the world," he said.

KAUST Provost, Prof. Stefan Catsicas said, "We are truly proud of our young scientists and grateful that their post-doctoral research has been endorsed by SABIC in this way. These fellowships represent more than just financial support to these 15 researchers, they represent an understanding that true solutions to the greatest challenges of our time - food, water, energy, and the environment - are multi-dimensional and require the input and collaboration of all sectors."

This award will be granted annually for five years to exceptional post-doctoral researchers involved in areas of long-term research relevant to SABIC and Saudi Arabia. The winning fellows will receive funding support from SABIC for one year of their research at KAUST . The program will be evaluated annually by joint experts from SABIC and KAUST and based on the outcome and performance of the fellows, research funds may be renewed or awarded to other candidates.

Dr. Ernesto Occhiello, SABIC Executive Vice President for Technology and Innovation, commented, "Research excellence has been instrumental in making SABIC an outstanding petrochemical success story. By continuing to invest in technology and innovation, SABIC is creating market opportunities and products that will ensure its sustainable success. SABIC 's support for the awards is part of our strategic partnership with the university to produce advanced technologies and innovative solutions for the benefit of SABIC and Saudi Arabia as a whole."

Explaining the significance of donations to the university, Dr. Abdullah Almojel, Vice President for University Development at KAUST said, "The SABIC Post-Doctoral Fellowship Awards represent an exciting cooperation between SABIC and KAUST - a cooperation intended to support the research of talented young scientists, and to promote the development of technology and innovation in Saudi Arabia. At the University Development, our mission is to attract and steward partnerships with donors and funding partners that share the vision of our university. In SABIC we believe we have found a long-term partner that exemplifies a shared commitment to harnessing science and technology for the benefit of the people of Saudi Arabia and beyond."

-Ends-

About SABIC
Saudi Basic Industries Corporation ( SABIC ) ranks among the world's top petrochemical companies. The company is among the world's market leaders in the production of polyethylene, polypropylene and other advanced thermoplastics, glycols, methanol and fertilizers.

SABIC recorded a net profit of SR 21 billion (US$ 5.6 billion) in 2010. Sales revenues for 2010 totaled SR 152 billion (US$ 40.5 billion). Total assets stood at SR 317 billion (US$ 84.5 billion) at the end of 2010.

SABIC 's businesses are grouped into Chemicals, Polymers, Performance Chemicals, Fertilizers, Metals and Innovative Plastics. SABIC has significant research resources with 18 dedicated Technology & Innovation facilities in Saudi Arabia, the USA, the Netherlands, Spain, Japan, India, and China. The company operates in more than 40 countries across the world with 33,000 employees worldwide.

SABIC manufactures on a global scale in Saudi Arabia, the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific. SABIC 's overall production has increased from 35 million metric tons in 2001 to 67 million metric tons in 2010.

Headquartered in Riyadh, SABIC was founded in 1976 when the Saudi Arabian Government decided to use the hydrocarbon gases associated with its oil production as the principal feedstock for production of chemicals, polymers and fertilizers. The Saudi Arabian Government owns 70 percent of SABIC shares with the remaining 30 percent held by private investors in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

About KAUST
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology ( KAUST ) is an international, graduate level university committed to advancing science and technology through transdisciplinary research, education, and innovation. The University's unique matrix structure supports both basic and goal-oriented research in the globally significant areas of energy, water, food, and environment to benefit Saudi Arabia and beyond. KAUST is is the realization of a decades-long vision of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, and is an independent and merit-based university, offering superb research facilities.

Located on the shores of the Red Sea about 90 kilometers (50 miles) north of Jeddah, the total area of the self-contained community spans more than 36 million square meters, including a unique coral reef ecosystem that the University preserves as a marine sanctuary. KAUST is the first LEED certified project in Saudi Arabia and the largest LEED Platinum project in the world. In 2011, KAUST was named "Lab of the Year" by leading science and technology publication, R&D Magazine.

Samir Al-Abdrabbuh
Vice President,
Corporate Communications

© Press Release 2011