Saudi Gazette Report

RIYADH — The Saudi Research, Development and Innovation Authority (RDIA) called on scientific authorities, researchers and specialists in the field of laboratories to submit their proposals and feedback on the national policy for the use of laboratories and scientific devices in the research, development and innovation sector.

The proposals and feedback can be sent through the unified electronic platform for polling the opinions of the scientific authorities and researchers (Istitlaa platform) of the National Competitiveness Center through the link: https://istitlaa.ncc.gov.sa/ar/Education/rdia/Policy.

The authority said that the national policy for laboratories and scientific devices will enhance the Kingdom’s leadership in innovation at the global level, and increase spending on the research, development and innovation sector so as to reach 2.5 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) by 2040.

According to the authority, this sector will contribute to diversifying the national economy by adding SR60 billion to the GDP output by creating quality jobs in science, technology and innovation, and attracting national and international talents in the field of research, development and innovation.

Through the publication of the policy document, the authority aims to facilitate the research, development and innovation sectors’ access to research infrastructure, as well as to enhance the use of the current government-funded research infrastructure, and boost the efficiency of government spending on research infrastructure.

The authority stated that these policies will maximize the return on investment (ROI) in government-funded research infrastructure, encourage open innovation, and reduce the interconnectedness of the research, development and innovation system, and seek to attract leading local and international researchers and scientists, in addition to coordinating guidelines on open access to the research infrastructure.