Media Centre

KAUST Launches Pioneering Centers of Excellence to Address Key National and International Priorities

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) has issued a press release

announcing the launch of four pioneering Centers of Excellence (CoEs) to drive research and

development in priority national and international fields.
The move brings KAUST further in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and is fundamental to

its Accelerating Impact strategy that strengthens its position as a "global leader in applied science".
The newly established CoEs, each led by renowned experts, will tackle issues concerning health

and wellness, sustainable environment and essential needs, energy and industrial leadership, and

economies of the future. They are crucial to KAUST’s goal of providing impactful solutions that support national economic objectives.
According to the release, the Center of Excellence for Generative AI, led by professors Bernard

Ghanem and Juergen Schmidhuber, will spearhead the development of general-purpose AI

models that can be tailored to meet the unique demands of the Kingdom’s research, development,

and innovation (RDI) priorities. The center aims to become a leading force in Generative AI

research, driving advancements in various sectors.
Prof. Husam Al Shareef, an expert in battery technologies and material science, along with

chemistry professor Zhiping Lai, will lead the Center of Excellence for Renewable Energy and

Storage Technologies, which focuses on cutting-edge renewable energy and storage technology

development and deployment. It will play a critical role in Saudi Arabia's shift to sustainable

energy by “prototyping and commercializing innovations that enhance the Kingdom’s industrial

competitiveness”, according to the release.
The Center of Excellence for Sustainable Food Security, led by Prof. Mark Tester, an expert in

plant science and agriculture in arid environments, and co-chaired by professors Brande Wulff, a

leader in crop genetics, and Peiying Hong, an expert in environmental microbiology and

wastewater treatment, will focus on advancing technology-driven agricultural solutions. It will

address resource efficiency, crop improvement and sustainable biosystems, to boost food security

in Saudi Arabia and beyond, with minimum negative impact.

Prof. Imed Gallouzi, an expert in RNA biology and mRNA processing, along with Professor Xin

Gao, an expert in computational biology and AI, will lead the Center of Excellence for Smart

Health, which focuses on developing and deploying digital and AI-driven technologies with the

goal of transforming healthcare in Saudi Arabia through precision medicine, promoting

innovation, entrepreneurship and education to revolutionize the Kingdom’s healthcare system.

Commenting on the launch, KAUST President Prof. Edward Byrne AC stated: "The

establishment of these new Centers of Excellence exemplifies our commitment to pioneering

scientific leadership and discovery. By Focusing on AI, renewable energy, sustainable food

security, and smart health, we are not only addressing the Kingdom’s most pressing challenges

but also positioning KAUST as a global leader in these critical fields. I am excited to collaborate

with our exceptional teams to turn ideas into solutions that enhance the quality of life and create

a sustainable future for the Kingdom and beyond.”

These CoEs were launched because they strongly align with national priorities, are

interdisciplinary in nature and have the potential to create tangible economic and social impacts, read the release.
“They will play a vital role in leading pioneering research, in line with KAUST’s Accelerating

Impact strategy, and will be integrated with KAUST’s National Transformation Institute to drive

research excellence and innovation,” according to the press release.

"KAUST’s Accelerating Impact strategy was launched by His Royal Highness Prince

Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Prime Minister, and Chairman of

KAUST Board of Trustees. This strategy focuses on aligning research with national priorities

and supporting the Kingdom’s economic diversification through impactful RDI projects," read the release.