KACST, Caltech Sign Agreement to Strengthen Cooperation in Earth and Space Sciences
King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) and the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) have signed a new addendum to their existing Joint Center of Excellence in Earth and Space Science agreement, originally established in May 2022.
The addendum aims to enhance joint research programs and broaden scientific collaboration between the two institutions.
The new addendum includes activating a project utilizing hyperspectral satellite imagery to monitor methane emissions and mineral resources. It also opens the door for future joint projects in astronomy and expands Caltech's program to host visiting researchers from KACST across various ongoing collaborations.
Additionally, the addendum facilitates the organization of specialized training courses offered by the Caltech Center for Technology and Management Education (CTME), helping to strengthen Saudi researchers' skills and capabilities.
This collaboration is part of KACST's ongoing efforts to foster international partnerships and support advanced research projects that contribute to building national talent and achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 in research, development, and innovation.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
18 hours ago
- Arab News
Co-processing can help Middle East become sustainable aviation fuel hub: IATA official
NEW DELHI: The Middle East has all the potential to emerge as a global hub for sustainable aviation fuel production thanks to co-processing opportunities available in the region, according to a top official. Speaking to Arab News on the sidelines of the International Air Transport Association's Annual General Meeting in New Delhi, Marie Owens Thomsen, senior vice president of sustainability and chief economist at IATA, said that the world should act now to increase the production of SAF to meet decarbonization targets. This comes as the region accelerates efforts to produce the fuel, with Saudi Arabia's Nordic Electrofuel-backed project announcing in January a Jubail plant targeting 350 million liters annually by 2029, using renewable hydrogen and solar PV. The UAE, meanwhile, aims for 700 million liters by 2031, supported by Emirates, Etihad, and Air Arabia. Emirates has secured over 3 million gallons from Neste for 2024–25 flights, while Shell began supplying SAF at Dubai Airport in 2023. In her interview, Thomsen said: 'The Middle East has huge opportunities for co-processing. What we are seeing across the world is insufficient production of SAF.' Co-processing is the use of renewable feedstock in conventional fossil fuel units. This method allows existing traditional fuel refineries to seamlessly integrate renewable feedstocks into their production processes without the need for extensive infrastructural changes. She added: 'If this co-processing happens, then boom — we have a SAF plant. Clearly, the Middle East is uniquely positioned for this.' Thomsen further said that governments in the Middle East region should create investment policies in such a way that oil producers will be more attracted to co-processing. The use of SAF is widely considered a crucial development for the global aviation industry, as most countries have stipulated targets to achieve net zero as part of their energy transition efforts. According to Thomsen, the world, on its current trajectory, is expected to produce 400 million tonnes of SAF by 2050, up from an estimated 2 million tonnes in 2025 and 1 million tonnes in 2024. Amid this projected growth, Thomsen revealed that the world would require at least 500 million tonnes of SAF by 2050 to meet energy transition and sustainability goals. 'On the current trajectory, we will be a 100 million tonnes short in 2050. That is a dramatic shortfall. If we do not address it today, this shortfall may be even greater by the time we reach 2050,' said Thomsen. She said this presents a challenge and dilemma because as long as jet engines power our flights, liquid fuels remain essential. 'Again, I repeat, the Middle East is uniquely positioned to help the world take a big step forward if we could immediately co-process. There are also lower-carbon fuels which occur naturally in the Middle East, which the world should explore,' she added. Thomsen revealed that the aviation industry's net profit margin is lower compared to other sectors, and expenses could rise as SAF gains. However, she made it clear that effective ways should be adopted to increase the production of the fuel, so that the energy transition targets could be achieved by 2050. On the opening day of the AGM, Willie Walsh, director general of IATA, also shared identical views, and said that sufficient government measures, including the implementation of effective policies, are needed to achieve decarbonization targets. He added that ensuring the success of the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation is crucial to offsetting carbon emissions in the aviation sector. Under CORSIA, an initiative launched by the International Civil Aviation Organization, airplane operators must purchase and cancel 'emissions units' to offset the increase in CO2 emissions.
Arab News
2 days ago
- Arab News
Global production of sustainable aviation fuel projected to reach 2m tonnes in 2025
RIYADH: Global sustainable aviation fuel production is expected to double to reach 2 million tonnes in 2025 compared to the previous year, according to the International Air Transport Association. In a press statement issued during IATA's Annual General Meeting, Director General Willie Walsh noted that the projected 2 million tonnes of SAF will account for just 0.7 percent of total fuel consumption this year. The use of SAF has been increasingly prominent in recent years, as most countries have set stipulated targets to achieve net zero as part of their energy transition efforts. 'While it is encouraging that SAF production is expected to double to 2 million tonnes in 2025, that is just 0.7 percent of aviation's total fuel needs,' said Walsh. He added: 'And even that relatively small amount will add $4.4 billion globally to the fuel bill. The pace of progress in ramping up production and gaining efficiencies to reduce costs must accelerate.' The IATA official further stated that sufficient government measures, including the implementation of effective policies, are needed to meet decarbonization efforts. He added that ensuring the success of Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation is crucial to offsetting carbon emissions in the aviation sector. Under CORSIA, an initiative launched by the International Civil Aviation Organization, airplane operators must purchase and cancel 'emissions units' to offset the increase in CO2 emissions. 'Advancing SAF production requires an increase in renewable energy production from which SAF is derived. Secondly, it also requires policies to ensure SAF is allocated an appropriate portion of renewable energy production,' said IATA in the statement. In a separate statement, IATA said that $1.3 billion in airline funds are blocked from repatriation by governments as of the end of April. The industry body, however, noted that this figure also represents a 25 percent improvement compared to the $1.7 billion reported for October. The aviation body also urged governments to remove all barriers preventing airlines from the timely repatriation of their revenues from ticket sales and other activities in accordance with international agreements and treaty obligations. 'Ensuring the timely repatriation of revenues is vital for airlines to cover dollar-denominated expenses and maintain their operations. Delays and denials violate bilateral agreements and increase exchange rate risks,' said Walsh. He added: 'Economies and jobs rely on international connectivity. Governments must realize that it is a challenge for airlines to maintain connectivity when revenue repatriation is denied or delayed.'
Arab News
2 days ago
- Arab News
Students organize science fair to bridge STEM access in Saudi Arabia
DHAHRAN: Two years ago, when freshmen Jungho Kang and Raahim Lone met during a group math project at the American School Dhahran, they quickly bonded over a shared love of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) — and the realization that they wanted to be part of a science-centric competitive space. But as non-Saudis in the Kingdom, no such space existed for them. So, they built one from scratch. Now in 10th grade, the two co-founded SANES (Saudi Arabian National Engineering Symposium), a new, student-led one-day science fair that took place for the first time on Saturday at their school. What began as an ambitious idea between classmates has since grown into a dynamic, Eastern Province-wide event that welcomed more than 60 participants from more than seven schools. Lone, who moved to Saudi Arabia from Canada two years ago, said it took time to adjust to his new home — but building SANES with Kang has helped him find his footing. Living in the same compound made collaboration easy. They found a sweet spot near their homes where they would regularly meet to brainstorm and plan the fair before heading home. It became their unofficial HQ. They spent countless evenings after school refining their vision. 'We spent freshman year working on it. I think this year it's been more consistent so I guess you could say we've been working on it for two years, but we've actually been really working on it for one,' Lone told Arab News with a laugh. From the start, their goal was clear: give all students living in the Kingdom — Saudi and non-Saudi — a chance to present their ideas, gain feedback, and learn from professionals. 'I really hope that every contestant just takes away something good and I hope they can learn something from these judges because we got really good judges — they're all really experienced — and just presenting and communicating their ideas because that was our main goal from the very beginning,' Kang told Arab News. The event featured two rounds of judging, with a panel made up of local and international experts. Kang and Lone ensured the evaluation process was impartial, with teachers helping them filter initial submissions before handing them over to the judges. They did not judge the final projects themselves but trusted the panel of experts to do the evaluating. Behind the scenes, organizing SANES felt a bit like launching a startup, Lone said. 'We started cold emailing all organizations — universities, companies, organizations — we even got so far as having online pitches with some organizations, but that never really came into fruition. 'So then we kind of turned into our ISG school group when our teachers found out that we were doing such things, and our old superintendent brought us in for a meeting.' With support from the International Schools Group, which runs five schools in the Eastern Province, the students booked their school campus as the venue, secured snacks, and assembled an impressive judging lineup. First place went to students from British School Dhahran, while ISG Dammam students claimed second and third. Kang, originally from South Korea, has lived in the Kingdom since he was four. He is especially drawn to mathematical research and is passionate about expanding access to science education. He co-founded SANES 'to help students across KSA engage more freely in scientific research.' When they started high school, they wanted to join a science fair but found they were not eligible for the Saudi competitions nor the international ones. So they made their own. Hans Ott, director of teaching and learning at ISG, praised the initiative. 'What's exciting about today is that it was started by two of our students.' 'When they were 14, 15-year-old students, they said 'we want a STEM competition in Saudi Arabia.' 'And they created an inclusive environment where international students, Saudi students — anyone in the Kingdom — had a place to showcase their talent and love and passion for STEM.' Assistant principal Will McConnell, who helped mentor the students through the process, was especially proud. 'The journey has been both inspiring and instructive. SANES began as a student-led vision, and watching it come to life has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career,' McConnell told Arab News. 'If students walk away feeling inspired, seen and empowered to pursue science and engineering further, then we've succeeded,' McConnell added. Superintendent Rhonda Norris echoed his words. 'Success from my perspective has already occurred. Our students had a vision based on their passion and interests and through the support of the leadership team and our community, they brought it to fruition. 'We are proud of these young men and what they have accomplished today,' she said. As for Kang and Lone? They are already thinking about what comes next. They hope to have the chance to go to college in the US, but in the meantime, with two more years of high school ahead, they are not slowing down — creating opportunities not only for themselves, but for their fellow students. They have already promised to 'continue after we graduate, too.'
