KAUST Researchers Embark on Groundbreaking OceanQuest Expedition Around Africa
This landmark mission highlights Saudi Arabia's commitment to building national scientific capacity and strengthening global research partnerships, in alignment with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
Launching from Moroni in the Comoros, the expedition traveled south through the Indian Ocean to Cape Town, South Africa, focusing on the study of marine biodiversity across key seamounts. A second leg of the journey — tailored for early-career oceanographers — continued northward to Walvis Bay, Namibia, and concluded in Mindelo, Cabo Verde.
KAUST's team included three PhD students: two from the Marine Microbiome Lab and one from the Earth Science and Engineering program. Additionally, their work centered on biodiversity assessments, seamount research, and chemical analyses — offering valuable, hands-on field experience.
The researchers also investigated seamount formation in the Indian Ocean, aiming to draw parallels with geological features in Saudi Arabian waters. Finally, through ocean depth mapping and sample collection, the team gained practical insights with direct relevance to marine research within the Kingdom.
Related Topics:
KAUST Coral Restoration Initiative Prepares for Groundbreaking 2025
U.S. Secretary of Energy Visits KAUST to Strengthen Energy Collaboration
Special Zone Brings African Spirit at Boulevard World
Riyadh Season to Host African Super Cup between Al-Ahly, Zamalek in Sept.
Short link :
Post Views: 14
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Leaders
a day ago
- Leaders
Regional Climate Center Launches National Climate Records Digitization
The Regional Climate Change Center has launched a major initiative to digitize 73 years of historical climate records, spanning from 1951 to 2023. The project aims to improve the accuracy and accessibility of climate data, enabling its use in scientific research, environmental planning, and data-driven decision-making. Dr. Ayman Ghulam, CEO of the National Center for Meteorology and General Supervisor of the Regional Climate Change Center, reviewed progress on the effort, which covers data from 33 manned climate stations across the Kingdom. A team of 73 specialists is working to convert 36,000 paper records into digital formats compatible with the center's databases, following the latest scientific and technical standards. The project follows five key tracks: Cataloging and assessing the condition of paper records. Entering and converting data into digital form. Auditing entries to match original documents. Conducting climate quality checks using specialized scientific tools. Building human capacity through training programs and technical workshops. Regular monthly and quarterly reports will track progress, culminating in a comprehensive final report. The records—collected using precise monitoring instruments and in accordance with international standards—vary in format, language (Arabic and English), and measurement systems (metric and, occasionally, imperial). This strategic initiative supports Saudi Arabia's digital transformation in the meteorology sector, bolsters environmental security, advances sustainable development, and strengthens the Kingdom's role as a regional leader in climate monitoring and weather forecasting. Related Topics : Saudi Green Building Forum Outlines Roadmap to Reduce Emissions Saudi Student Al-Qarni Selected to Engage with Global Science Leaders at ISEF 2025 World Radio Day: Saudi Arabia Focuses on Climate Change EU Gulf Envoy Hails Saudi Arabia's Vital Global Influence Short link : Post Views: 5
Arab News
2 days ago
- Arab News
KAUST authors new study on land degradation
RIYADH: A recent study by King Abdullah University of Science and Technology designed a new blueprint to reduce the impact of land degradation worldwide. The Saudi university is aiming to reverse the growing threat of land degradation, and improve food and water security, social stability, and biodiversity. The study was published in the international multidisciplinary science journal Nature, and puts forward a number of solutions to reverse the trajectory of land degradation by 2050. One of the recommended methods involves increasing production and consumption of seafood in order to reduce the pressure that agriculture places on land. Another is to lower food waste by 75 percent — with the study noting that one-third of food produced is wasted at a cost of more than $1 trillion annually. Finally, the study suggests restoring 50 percent of degraded land through sustainable management practices. KAUST reported that food production is using up to 34 percent of the planet's ice-free land, a number that could increase to 42 percent by 2050 if current situation continues. Scientists proposed revising economic incentives, increasing food donations, and promoting smaller restaurant portions to preserve up to 13.4 million sq. km of land. 'Saudi Arabia is already doing a lot in improving food waste and looking at land restoration, but can still benefit a lot from this if policymakers implement a few of these key recommendations,' Fernando Maestre, professor of environmental science and engineering at KAUST, told Arab News. 'These include promoting smaller restaurant meals, requiring supermarkets and hotels to donate or discount near-expiry food, requiring companies to publish waste-reduction plans, investing in cold-chain and community redistribution, and expanding sustainable seafood/seaweed options that deliver nutrition with very low land and water use. 'Cutting food waste with measures like these would ease pressure on the Kingdom's scarce water resources and cut emissions, while improving food security and saving money,' Maestre added. The study also emphasized the importance of sustainable seafood production, elaborating on how specific aquaculture policies could have the potential to lower the pressure on land resources and help reduce deforestation. 'By transforming food systems, restoring degraded land, harnessing the potential of sustainable seafood, and fostering cooperation across nations and sectors, we can 'bend the curve' and reverse land degradation,' Maestre said. The study was carried out in collaboration with Aeon Collective and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification.
Saudi Gazette
3 days ago
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Arabia advances education reform with AI curricula, teacher training, and global partnerships
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Saudi Arabia's Education Minister Yousef Al-Benyan on Wednesday outlined major progress in education reforms, including the integration of artificial intelligence into curricula, expansion of gifted programs, and the restructuring of administrative systems to boost school efficiency. Speaking at a government press conference in Riyadh, Al-Benyan said the National Curriculum Center had developed 27 digital courses, converted 19 into interactive books, and reviewed 50 more, while updating over 6,700 digital learning resources. The reforms, he said, are designed to create a globally competitive generation, with efforts targeting 19 strategic objectives that include modernizing curricula, training teachers, embedding AI, and expanding technical training. The ministry has consolidated educational administrations from 46 to 16, and fully outsourced operations, maintenance, and environmental quality management to Tatweer Educational Transportation Services Co., enabling educators to focus on teaching. New initiatives also aim to strengthen school-family partnerships and instill values such as national identity, commitment, and tolerance among students. On infrastructure, the minister said 75 new school projects were launched, more than 15,000 buildings underwent maintenance, and 1,400 facilities were renovated. Early childhood enrollment among Saudi children has reached over 36%, while the number of identified gifted students has risen to more than 28,000. Specialized schools for gifted students, developed with the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority and Tuwaiq Academy, are set to expand to five more regions next year. The ministry has also introduced AI curricula across all grades and a cybersecurity curriculum for high school students. Teachers and educational leaders received more than 5,200 training opportunities, including international programs such as professional master's degrees. Efforts to boost language skills include sending 100 teachers to study Chinese in China and expanding Chinese language teaching to more than 140 public middle schools. Al-Benyan said Saudi universities continue to climb global rankings, with 20 institutions now listed in the QS World University Rankings 2025 and three universities in the world's top 200. Since 2022, 3,388 Saudis have been sent to the world's top 30 universities under the King Salman Scholarship Program. In support of private sector engagement, the ministry launched the 'Madaris' platform, offering over 500 investment opportunities worth more than SR50 billion over the next five years.
