RIYADH — The Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic) and the Dhahran-based King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) are exploring new avenues for future collaborative research in multi-disciplinary fields of technology and innovation and knowledge development.

Sabic extends an annual grant of SR3.95 million to the university to carry out research efforts, particularly in petrochemicals, material engineering and corrosion control.

A Sabic delegation, led by its executive vice president (technology and innovation), recently visited KFUPM and met with its senior leadership led by its president Dr. Khalid Al-Sultan, to discuss potential areas for future scientific cooperation, according to a Sabic press release.

Sabic has been a committed supporter of scientific research at Saudi universities. The research areas for support were initially drawn from the company’s immediate areas of interest, including chemicals and petrochemicals, metallurgy, fertilizers, polymers and catalysts. The scope was later widened to include topics such as pollution control and industrial waste disposal. Sabic also encourages research conducted by individual researchers at Saudi universities on projects related to the company’s business.

The Sabic team visited Dhahran Techno Valley where Prof. Halim Redhwi, president of the company, briefed it on the valley’s development of research and technology. — SG/SPA