Saudi university, military industries authority ink cooperation deal

RIYADH: 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.