RIYADH, 18 August 2007 — King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and the French Institut Français Du Pétrole (IFP) will collaborate on research programs, graduate education and technological development for the benefit of their respective countries. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Nadhmi A. Al-Nasr, interim president of KAUST, and Olivier Appert, chairman and chief executive officer of IFP, last week to work jointly on transport energies and materials and on joint efforts to find innovative solutions for more efficient, more economical, cleaner, and sustainable energies and materials.
KAUST and IFP will also collaborate in accepting graduate students for agreed upon terms to do course work or specific research on IFP’s premises. Both institutions agreed to focus specifically on research in carbon capture, clean fuels, catalysis, polymers and chemical engineering modeling.
The MOU also calls for KAUST and IFP to publicize the results of their research to the scientific community and to make definitive agreements on matters concerning intellectual property rights and other commercial or legal aspects of cooperative programs.
“We expect that KAUST and IFP will complement one another perfectly as we move ahead with our relationship,” Al-Nasr said. “Together, both institutions can contribute a great deal to the transformation of energy research and its application to industry.”
Founded at a time of rapid growth and progress in the region, KAUST is working to create an optimal learning environment for a diverse community of scholars and researchers from around the world, Al-Nasr said. “I am very glad that IFP is going to contribute to the success of this ambitious project of a university and scientific center dedicated to research and education. We will be able to let KAUST benefit from our know-how in the fields of research development and training. This collaboration will strengthen the existing ties between Saudi Arabia and IFP,” said Appert.
Both institutions will collaborate on the design, construction and initial operation of research centers and laboratory facilities; cooperate on research projects; hold scientific and technical meetings on topics of mutual interest; exchange scientific, technical and administrative staff for varying periods of time; make use of each respective organization’s facilities and instruments; exchange information on research and engineering in energy sciences; and undertake other cooperative activities.
