Nadhmi A. Al-Nasr, the interim president of the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), envisions the new research-based institution as a catalyst for creating a knowledge economy in Saudi Arabia — which is a long-standing dream of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah himself. Al-Nasr said in an exclusive interview with Arab News yesterday that SR10 billion university will be a graduate-level research institution instead of an undergraduate one. “It is the vision of King Abdullah to have this university as a turning point in higher education,” he said. “Hopefully, it will act as a catalyst in transforming Saudi Arabia into a knowledge economy, by directly integrating research produced at the university into our economy.” The new university's ground-breaking ceremony takes place later today at Thuwal which is 100 km off Jeddah. Top academics from around the world are expected to take part in the landmark event. --MORE
