KACST comes in for Shoura criticism

A senior Shoura Council official has lambasted King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) for its performance last year, saying it failed to produce innovative research and groundbreaking products.
Assistant Chairman of the Shoura Council Fahad Al-Hamad said KACST’s research projects and other outputs did not serve the national economy as expected. He was speaking during a discussion on the annual report of the KACST at the council on Monday.
“It is the primary objective of the KACST to conduct scientific research that serves the economic and social development of the Kingdom and assist in developing industrial and agricultural products that would enhance the country’s gross domestic product,” Al-Hamad said.
He wanted to know why the research projects were not effective in achieving a breakthrough in the manufacture of industrial and agricultural products. “Where is the matching return from a budget of SR 2.04 billion allocated to the institution, which employed 3,302 workers, during the report year?” he asked.
He said other bodies, that he did not specify, were also responsible for KACST's under-performance. “For the evaluation of any institution it is not enough to look at it in terms of visible achievements,” he added.
He said KACST's achievements referred to in the report included the manufacture of unmanned small and medium-sized aircraft, the Kingdom’s first high-speed computer, a device to collect geophysical data from difficult terrain and some achievements in petrochemical technology.
He urged KACST to change the way it functioned so that it could fulfill its potential, boost profits and its competitiveness.
KACST is an independent scientific organization reporting to the prime minister. It is both the Saudi Arabian national science agency and its national laboratory. The science agency function involves science and technology policy-making, data collection, funding of external research, and services such as the patent office.
The Shoura Council members were also not pleased with the annual report of the Saudi Industrial Development Fund presented on Monday.
“The fund’s report is merely descriptive without giving any clue of its present condition. The report does not give any idea of its financial status, details of final accounts or any indication about its Saudization level,” a member complained.
The members also wanted a reconsideration of the fund’s system of guarantees, fees and other charges so that the people can get speedier services. Members also wanted softer conditions for credit facilities.