LEEDS, UK - The University of Leeds has signed a research agreement with King Saud University in Saudi Arabia to develop collaborations in nanoscience, technology and engineering with the King Abdullah Institute of Nanotechnology.

 

This new collaboration will develop joint PhD projects, funded research and enterprise activities in medicine and health, biology, chemical manufacturing, electronics, and other sectors. The program is administered through the University of Leeds NanoManufacturing Institute and will provide new funding for PhD research and collaborative exchanges.

 

Professor Richard Williams, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Enterprise, Knowledge Transfer and International Strategy at the University of Leeds said, "This continues a series of educational agreements with KSU, and we are delighted this is our first major research and enterprise project in an area that draws on a distinctive research strength for Leeds in an area that has major societal impact.

 

“We expect new research programs to start within the next two months and look forward to welcoming academic staff from KSU as visiting researchers and professors to Leeds."

 

Professor Al-Ghamdi, Deputy Rector for Knowledge Exchange and Technology Transfer at King Saud University added, "I welcome the new research alliance in nanotechnology that we have entered into with the University of Leeds.

 

“We have already appointed Professor Terry Wilkins of the NanoManufacturing Institute as the first visiting professor to KSU from Leeds, and we look forward to welcoming more Leeds staff to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to work jointly on projects that will have long-lasting impact."

 

The Nanomanufacturing Institute was established by the University of Leeds in 2005 with the vision of becoming Europe’s leading academic center for nanomanufacturing research for consumer and related products. It draws upon the University’s large nanotechnology base in science, medicine and engineering. Activities at Leeds are led by Terry Wilkins.

 

King Abdullah Institute of Nanotechnology is directed by Salman A H Alrokayan. It is seeking to build the infrastructure needed for research and development in the field of nanoscience and technology to allow KSU to aid in building a knowledge-based national economy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.