Arab News, Wednesday, Oct 28, 2020 | Rabi Al Awwal 11, 1442
Saudi university, military industries authority ink cooperation deal
Saudi Arabia: King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM)
and the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) today signed a joint
cooperation agreement in the presence of Prince Abdul Aziz bin Salman, minister
of energy affairs and chairman of the board of trustees of KFPUM, and Ahmed bin
Abdul Aziz Al-Ohali, governor of GAMI.
The joint cooperation agreement aims to support the military-industrial research
and development system, and synchronize learning and research outputs with the
strategic needs of the military-industrial sector in the Kingdom.
The agreement, signed by Dr. Mohammed Al-Saggaf, acting president of KFPUM, and
Gasem Al-Maimani, deputy governor of GAMI, will improve academic programs,
university research, graduation projects, and studies for the
military-industrial sector.
The joint cooperation agreement comes in line with the objectives of the
Kingdom’s Vision 2030 reform plans by promoting the Saudization of more than 50
percent of military expenditure, which would enhance the Kingdom’s strategic
independence and boost its military and security readiness. It would also
enhance joint operations between security and military agencies, and develop a
local sustainable military-industrial sector.
Dr. Al-Maimani said that the agreement opens cooperation horizons between the
university and the military factories in the Kingdom, and links the research and
development efforts in the field of military industries, including student
exchange programs and scholarships.