Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman: We will become one of the pioneers of innovation in the world

[The SC]

Crown Prince unveils priorities for research, development and innovation for coming two decades

Saudi Gazette report
June 30, 2022

JEDDAH — Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense, announced on Thursday Saudi Arabia’s national aspirations and priorities for the research, development and innovation for the coming two decades.

The Crown Prince, who is also chairman of the Supreme Committee for Research, Development and Innovation, has identified four key priorities - human health; environmental sustainability and basic needs; leadership in energy and industry; and future economies.

“This would enhance the Kingdom’s global competitiveness and leadership role, keeping pace with the directives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and strengthen Kingdom’s position as the largest economy in the region,” the Saudi Press Agency reported quoting him as saying.

At the outset of the announcement of the national aspirations and priorities, the Crown Prince said: “We have adopted ambitious aspirations for the research, development and innovation sector, so that the Kingdom will become one of the pioneers of innovation in the world.

The annual spending on the sector will reach 2.5 percent of GDP in 2040, so that the sector contributes to the development and diversification of the national economy by adding SR60 billion to the GDP in 2040, and creating thousands of quality jobs in science, technology and innovation,” he said.

The Crown Prince said the research, development and innovation sector has been restructured in order to ensure the sector’s growth and prosperity. A supreme committee headed by the Crown Prince has been formed to oversee the sector and determine the national priorities and aspirations for research, development and innovation in the Kingdom. Also, the Research, Development and Innovation Authority has been created.

The authority will act as an enabler, legislator and regulator for the sector, and will develop programs, projects, budget distribution and performance monitoring.

In order to achieve the grand ambitions announced by the Crown Prince, the authority will work to attract the best national and international talents. This is in addition to strengthening cooperation with major research centers, international companies, the non-profit sector and the private sector, which are an essential partner to lead research and development and increase investment in the sector.

https://saudigazette.com.sa/article/622445


Research and development

The research, development and innovation sector has been restructured, with the establishment of a higher committee headed by the Crown Prince to oversee the sector and define national priorities, as well as to launch the Research, Development and Innovation Development Authority that will act as an enabler, legislator and regulator for the sector.

Attracting national and international talent

In order to achieve these ambitions, Saudi Arabia will work to attract the best national and international talents, in addition to strengthening cooperation with the largest research centers, international companies, the non-profit sector and the private sector, which are an essential partner to lead research and development and increase investment in the sector.

Human Health

Based on the Kingdom’s advanced infrastructure for scientific medical research and other competitive advantages, human health came at the top of the national priorities. Saudi Arabia aims to achieve a better and longer healthy life for its citizens and residents, by seeking to overcome health challenges, finding radical solutions for chronic and non-communicable diseases, providing the highest standards of health care for members of society, and supplying the world with the latest pharmaceutical technologies based on biotechnology.

Production of desalinated water

In order to contribute to eliminating the challenges of water shortage and food security in the world, and based on Saudi Arabia’s leadership in the production of desalinated water globally, and its major initiatives to preserve the environment, the Kingdom seeks to become a global model in providing the basic needs of water, food and energy in a sustainable manner, by developing environmentally friendly technologies, increasing green spaces and promoting carbon capture, use and storage, as well as sustainable technologies for low-cost electricity production.

Leadership in energy and industry

Saudi Arabia enjoys natural wealth and competitive advantages in the energy and industry sectors. Through the priority of Leadership in Energy and Industry, the country aims to maintain its leadership in energy markets by innovating technologies for the production of alternative energy such as green hydrogen and solar and wind energy, as well as ensuring the sustainability of oil demand and developing the mining sector in a competitive and sustainable manner.

Future economics

The Future Economics was chosen as one of the priorities for the research, development and innovation sector. This priority aims to promote innovation in digital technologies, develop the future of urban life and build smart, human-friendly cities that are free of carbon emissions, in addition to exploring the depths of the sea and building a global position for the Kingdom in the space field.

Ambitious programs

The recent adoption of national aspirations and priorities is the basis for the development of the national strategy for the research, development and innovation sector, which will be revealed at a later stage. The Crown Prince’s announcement is also an attractive factor for interested researchers and entrepreneurs from within Saudi Arabia and around the world.


https://english.aawsat.com/home/art...-aspirations-priorities-kingdom’s-development


*The Saudi GDP is expected to be $1.7 trillion In 2030, according to the statement of the Minister of Investment..
**2.5% of it is equivalent to approximately $42.5 billion..

 

[Corruptistan]

Crown Prince unveils priorities for research, development and innovation for coming two decades

View attachment 858366

Saudi Gazette report
June 30, 2022

JEDDAH — Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense, announced on Thursday Saudi Arabia’s national aspirations and priorities for the research, development and innovation for the coming two decades.

The Crown Prince, who is also chairman of the Supreme Committee for Research, Development and Innovation, has identified four key priorities - human health; environmental sustainability and basic needs; leadership in energy and industry; and future economies.

“This would enhance the Kingdom’s global competitiveness and leadership role, keeping pace with the directives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and strengthen Kingdom’s position as the largest economy in the region,” the Saudi Press Agency reported quoting him as saying.

At the outset of the announcement of the national aspirations and priorities, the Crown Prince said: “We have adopted ambitious aspirations for the research, development and innovation sector, so that the Kingdom will become one of the pioneers of innovation in the world.

The annual spending on the sector will reach 2.5 percent of GDP in 2040, so that the sector contributes to the development and diversification of the national economy by adding SR60 billion to the GDP in 2040, and creating thousands of quality jobs in science, technology and innovation,” he said.

The Crown Prince said the research, development and innovation sector has been restructured in order to ensure the sector’s growth and prosperity. A supreme committee headed by the Crown Prince has been formed to oversee the sector and determine the national priorities and aspirations for research, development and innovation in the Kingdom. Also, the Research, Development and Innovation Authority has been created.

The authority will act as an enabler, legislator and regulator for the sector, and will develop programs, projects, budget distribution and performance monitoring.

In order to achieve the grand ambitions announced by the Crown Prince, the authority will work to attract the best national and international talents. This is in addition to strengthening cooperation with major research centers, international companies, the non-profit sector and the private sector, which are an essential partner to lead research and development and increase investment in the sector.

https://saudigazette.com.sa/article/622445


Research and development

The research, development and innovation sector has been restructured, with the establishment of a higher committee headed by the Crown Prince to oversee the sector and define national priorities, as well as to launch the Research, Development and Innovation Development Authority that will act as an enabler, legislator and regulator for the sector.

Attracting national and international talent

In order to achieve these ambitions, Saudi Arabia will work to attract the best national and international talents, in addition to strengthening cooperation with the largest research centers, international companies, the non-profit sector and the private sector, which are an essential partner to lead research and development and increase investment in the sector.

Human Health

Based on the Kingdom’s advanced infrastructure for scientific medical research and other competitive advantages, human health came at the top of the national priorities. Saudi Arabia aims to achieve a better and longer healthy life for its citizens and residents, by seeking to overcome health challenges, finding radical solutions for chronic and non-communicable diseases, providing the highest standards of health care for members of society, and supplying the world with the latest pharmaceutical technologies based on biotechnology.

Production of desalinated water

In order to contribute to eliminating the challenges of water shortage and food security in the world, and based on Saudi Arabia’s leadership in the production of desalinated water globally, and its major initiatives to preserve the environment, the Kingdom seeks to become a global model in providing the basic needs of water, food and energy in a sustainable manner, by developing environmentally friendly technologies, increasing green spaces and promoting carbon capture, use and storage, as well as sustainable technologies for low-cost electricity production.

Leadership in energy and industry

Saudi Arabia enjoys natural wealth and competitive advantages in the energy and industry sectors. Through the priority of Leadership in Energy and Industry, the country aims to maintain its leadership in energy markets by innovating technologies for the production of alternative energy such as green hydrogen and solar and wind energy, as well as ensuring the sustainability of oil demand and developing the mining sector in a competitive and sustainable manner.

Future economics

The Future Economics was chosen as one of the priorities for the research, development and innovation sector. This priority aims to promote innovation in digital technologies, develop the future of urban life and build smart, human-friendly cities that are free of carbon emissions, in addition to exploring the depths of the sea and building a global position for the Kingdom in the space field.

Ambitious programs

The recent adoption of national aspirations and priorities is the basis for the development of the national strategy for the research, development and innovation sector, which will be revealed at a later stage. The Crown Prince’s announcement is also an attractive factor for interested researchers and entrepreneurs from within Saudi Arabia and around the world.


https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3734726/saudi-crown-prince-unveils-aspirations-priorities-kingdom’s-development


*The Saudi GDP is expected to be $1.7 trillion In 2030, according to the statement of the Minister of Investment..
**2.5% of it is equivalent to approximately $42.5 billion..

Arabs once dominated science for centuries and the greatest learning centers were located in the Arab world or controlled by Arabs (Al-Andalus). No reason why Arabs could not revive that tradition and improve tenfold to where they are today.

In fact early science originated in the Arab world in well-known civilizations.

The money is there, what is needed is political will and harnessing local talent which is not lacking either. Nor is the population size.

However it requires educational changes and greater focus on STEM. KAUST (highest ranked university in the Muslim world) is a good start. There should be 10 KAUST's in KSA in an ideal world not just 1.

I don't know about the educational sector in KSA nowadays but I read that it has undergone huge changes for the better. More reforms are needed and even though KSA is investing a lot in its education (8% of its GDP or something) more investments are needed.

Arab states should be cooperating as well in this regard.

Use the West as the benchmark/inspiration and try to reach their level. It is not impossible which Muslim/Arab students in Denmark are a living proof of. Muslim/Arab women in Denmark outperform local women in terms of university education. There are no excuses really.

 

[REhorror]

Saudi Arabia, Iran and Arab states are proving to the world you don't need western "progressiveness" (same-sex marriage and abortion) in order to have innovation.

 

[Corruptistan]

Saudi Arabia, Iran and Arab states are proving to the world you don't need western "progressiveness" (same-sex marriage and abortion) in order to have innovation.

Sure, yet the Muslim world is lacking in terms of scientific output and innovation compared to the West to put it mildly. Lightyears away in fact. Why is that when the same Arabs/Muslims once dominated science during the Islamic Golden Age? Heck, even in pre-Islamic times, look at where all the oldest civilizations of the world are located? Either the Arab world, Pakistan (IVC), China and what else? Rome and Greece came much later.

Islam was/is a religion that focuses hugely on science, progress, business etc. The religion came into being in a hugely mercantile society of the time. It's greatest Prophet (saws) was a merchant. It is the most "capitalistic" of the old religions too.

The Mongol Sack of Baghdad (1258) and the dismiss of the Abbasids (ruled only nominally until 1517 from Cairo) was a huge setback but it has been over 750 years now. No excuses anymore.

Of course you need stability in order to develop but at some point in time you just have to undergo huge changes otherwise you will perish in this world. Changes are necessary.

 

[REhorror]

Sure, yet the Muslim world is lacking in terms of scientific output and innovation compared to the West to put it mildly. Lightyears away in fact. Why is that when the same Arabs/Muslims once dominated science during the Islamic Golden Age? Heck, even in pre-Islamic times, look at where all the oldest civilizations of the world are located? Either the Arab world, Pakistan (IVC), China and what else? Rome and Greece came much later.

Islam was/is a religion that focuses hugely on science, progress, business etc. The religion came into being in a hugely mercantile society of the time. It's greatest Prophet (saws) was a merchant. It is the most "capitalistic" of the old religions too.

The Mongol Sack of Baghdad (1258) and the dismiss of the Abbasids (ruled only nominally until 1517 from Cairo) was a huge setback but it has been over 750 years now. No excuses anymore.

The Middle east region is frankly war-torn ever since the establishment of Israel.
It's quite amazing that you guys can progress as it is.

EDIT: And yes, I would say changes are necessary, but what changes? What would western "progressiveness" add to the equation? Look at western countries nowadays, they aren't necessarily more innovative than East Asian or even some SEA countries.

 

[Corruptistan]

The Middle east region is frankly war-torn ever since the establishment of Israel.
It's quite amazing that you guys can progress as it is.

Sure there is some truth in that statement yet where were we between 1258 until WW1? Nowhere to be seen largely. While the same West progressed hugely in that same time period starting with the renaissance and later the industrial revolution that is the backbone of the modern society that we are all a part of today.

The scientific output of the combined Muslim world is absolutely pathetic. There is no denying that. Huge strides needs to be make in order to catch up. I stand by this statement.

 

[The SC]

Arabs once dominated science for centuries and the greatest learning centers were located in the Arab world or controlled by Arabs (Al-Andalus). No reason why Arabs could not revive that tradition and improve tenfold to where they are today.

In fact early science originated in the Arab world in well-known civilizations.

The money is there, what is needed is political will and harnessing local talent which is not lacking either. Nor is the population size.

However it requires educational changes and greater focus on STEM. KAUST (highest ranked university in the Muslim world) is a good start. There should be 10 KAUST's in KSA in an ideal world not just 1.

I don't know about the educational sector in KSA nowadays but I read that it has undergone huge changes for the better. More reforms are needed and even though KSA is investing a lot in its education (8% of its GDP or something) more investments are needed.

Arab states should be cooperating as well in this regard.

Use the West as the benchmark/inspiration and try to reach their level. It is not impossible which Muslim/Arab students in Denmark are a living proof of. Muslim/Arab women in Denmark outperform local women in terms of university education. There are no excuses really.

 

[Corruptistan]

View attachment 859583

Impressive. Where can we see the full rankings (globally)?

Anyway education is the only way forward if you want to truly develop. It is the absolute key for everything.

 

[The SC]

Impressive. Where can we see the full rankings (globally)?

Anyway education is the only way forward if you want to truly develop. It is the absolute key for everything.

https://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/rankings