"They are the future of the country," KACST President Mohammed Al-Suwaiyel told reporters after taking a tour at the opening of the 6th Weeks of Science and Technology organized by the KACST yearly.

According to the official, the main objective of the exhibition is to encourage young Saudis in involving themselves in science and technology as they represent a big number of the population.

Al-Suwaiyel said this year’s event has 30 pavilions and stalls represented by the most prominent research institutes, centers and scientific programs, as well as service departments that carry out the functions of granting patents and provide information and support scientific research.

They also provide advisory services and technical support for innovators and creativeness. He pointed out that the major work on display in the expo are those services that are required and meet the needs of the public.

This year’s event will showcase five exhibitions in different regions, unlike last year’s expo.

"We had only one that was in Riyadh, but this time we had one in Souk Okaz and the one held here and are planning to have three more shows in Jeddah, Dammam and somewhere else," he elaborated.

The event was attended by a number of officials and diplomat including Communications and Information Technology Commission Gov. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Darrab, KACST Vice President for Scientific Research Support Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Suwailem, Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Ibrahim Chao and Chief Academic Officer at Al-Faisal University Faisal Abdul Aziz Al-Mubarak.

Outlining this year’s objectives, Suwaiyel said the event aims to link the concepts of science and technology, the development of scientific awareness among all communities, especially youth. It aims also to establish the importance of scientific issues and understand its dimensions in people's lives and their role in the development and progress of societies and peoples.

He said the event addressed all members of society, particularly young people in public education at all levels, in addition to students of universities and colleges, highlighting the importance of this generation which makes up more than half of the community and shapes the future of a knowledge-based society, he explained.

On the opening day, the KACST head inaugurated some projects including an applied project that provides the public network for electricity power generated by photovoltaic panels, which has a capacity of nearly 15,000kW, with the rate of one board of 217.5 watts.

This project aims to contribute to the preservation of the environment by reducing carbon emissions and ensure the efficiency of practical solar panels manufactured by KACST.

Suwaiyel added that this year’s event will feature activities that include a number of competitions, scientific programs and entertainment featuring a number of local stars led by actor Yousef Al-Jarah. The week’s activities also will feature direct interaction involving citizens and visitors from various schools and universities through open interaction with researchers and specialists in a number of scientific fields.

KACST intends for this event to create a knowledge atmosphere for visitors, in order to disseminate the principles of science and technology, which is one of the objectives of national policy for science, technology and innovation in the Kingdom, and out of the concept of scientific centers and research laboratories.

Visiting hours over the next seven days in the morning and afternoon are: Schools and university students from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m. The 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. slot will be open for all visitors.