KAUST expands Saudi–Italian scientific cooperation during Riyadh business forum
KAUST deepens Saudi–Italian cooperation with new agreements in science, technology and innovation.
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King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) demonstrated its leadership in international partnerships by strengthening Saudi–Italian collaboration in research, innovation, and advanced technology during the Saudi–Italian Investment and Business Forum held in Riyadh on November 25–26. The event follows this year’s declaration to elevate bilateral relations between Saudi Arabia and Italy, signed by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud and Italian Prime Minister HE Giorgia Meloni. Opened by HE Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al Falih, Minister of Investment, and Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister HE Antonio Tajani, KAUST announced three strategic Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with leading Italian academic and industrial institutions, as well as a new joint scholarship program. These key collaborations underscore KAUST’s role as a driving force in international partnerships that support the Kingdom’s scientific and economic transformation.
The engagements reflect KAUST’s commitment to advancing Vision 2030 priorities by expanding cooperation across microelectronics, artificial intelligence, life sciences, robotics, advanced sensing, and maritime innovation. Together, these collaborations strengthen talent pipelines, accelerate technology transfer, and open new opportunities for joint research that link Saudi Arabia and Italy in high-impact scientific domains. Representing KAUST at the forum was Professor Gianluca Setti, Dean of the Computer, Electrical, and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering Division (CEMSE).
KAUST and Politecnico di Torino University signed a five-year MoU establishing a broad partnership spanning joint research, academic exchange, and training programs. The collaboration, signed by Professor Arwa Yousuf Al-Aama, Vice President, Education and Advancement at KAUST and Professor Elena Baralis, Deputy Rector at Politecnico di Torino University, focuses on shared research priorities in micro and nanoelectronics, digital systems and AI, energy and environment, smart health, and food and water technologies. The agreement enables dual PhD opportunities, joint-funded projects, researcher exchanges, and shared academic activities between the two universities.
Read the full press release on KAUST News.
