A UK university has entered into a research collaboration with a Saudi Arabian institution. The University of Leeds has signed a research agreement with an organization in Saudi Arabia to investigate nanoscience. Working to develop collaborations with the King Saud University, the academic institution will create joint PhD projects with the King Abdullah Institute of Nanotechnology. The two organizations will also carry out research into how the science can be applied in sectors such as medicine, chemical manufacturing and electronics. Professor Richard Williams, pro-vice-chancellor of Enterprise, Knowledge Transfer and International Strategy at the University of Leeds, said the new programs are expected to begin within two months and academic staff from Saudi Arabia will soon arrive in the city. He said: “We are delighted this is our first major research and enterprise project in an area that draws on a distinctive research strength for Leeds.” Professor Al-Ghamdi, deputy RECTOR for Knowledge Exchange and Technology Transfer at King Saud University, also said he is looking forward to working on the collaboration and suggested its projects could lead to developments which have a long-lasting impact. Earlier this year, scientists at the University of Leeds used nanotechnology to create a biosensor which could lead to the next generation of diagnostic testing and speed up the time it takes to identify diseases.
