New collaboration agreement signed between Politecnico and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
During the Italy-Saudi Arabia Business Forum, held on November 25-26 in Riyadh and organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) and ICE Agency, Politecnico di Torino and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on research and academic exchange.
The agreement was signed by Professor Elena Maria Baralis, Deputy Rector at Politecnico di Torino, and Professor Arwa Yousuf Al-Aama, Vice President, Education and Advancement at KAUST. KAUST was represented at the Forum by Professor Gianluca Setti, Dean, Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering Division at KAUST. The signing was included in the Forum program, which opened with institutional greetings from Khalid A. Al Falih, Minister of Investment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Antonio Tajani, Deputy President of the Italian Government and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Italian Republic, who emphasized the importance of bilateral collaboration and opportunities for investment and cooperation in the field of education between the two countries.
The signing of this agreement between the two universities confirms the scientific and technological collaboration between Italy and Saudi Arabia, in the context of enhancing Italian and Saudi partnership agreements. This event highlighted Italy's contribution to the development of strategic collaborations and innovation projects in the region, while consolidating the reputation of Politecnico di Torino and KAUST among international partners.
The MoU expresses the interest of both universities in creating a partnership in which education, study, and research activities carried out by Politecnico di Torino can complement the corresponding activities of KAUST, using qualified resources and appropriate tools. The parties are committed to promoting cooperation in both training and research activities in areas of common interest.
The areas covered by the agreement include exploring opportunities for collaboration on funded research programs in fields of mutual interest; promoting dual PhD positions; promoting exchange opportunities between faculty, researchers, and students from both universities. In particular, the thematic areas identified for dual-degree PhD programs have strategic relevance for the two universities: micro- and nanoelectronics, digital systems and artificial intelligence, energy and the environment, smart health, and food and water technologies.
“The participation of Politecnico di Torino in the Italy-Saudi Arabia Forum confirms our commitment to promoting high-profile scientific and technological collaborations with international partners – emphasizes Professor Elena Maria Baralis, Deputy Rector at Politecnico di Torino – The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with KAUST represents a significant step towards the integration of research and academic activities of our two institutions, with a particular focus on joint doctoral programs and shared research projects".
“This agreement deepens a long-standing spirit of collaboration between our two institutions – said Professor Gianluca Setti, Dean of the Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering Division at KAUST – By combining our complementary strengths in digital systems and artificial intelligence, energy and environment, smart health and food and water technologies, we are creating new opportunities for joint research and for training the next generation of scientists and innovators who will contribute to both countries’ future development".