
Environment Fund signs research agreements with Saudi research institutions to advance environmental innovation
The agreements reflect the Fund's commitment to fostering applied environmental research and innovation in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030.
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia's Environment Fund has signed collaborative research agreements with leading Saudi research institutions to support environmental research across various themes including sustainable plant production, wastewater reuse, greywater treatment, coral regeneration, seed bank development, and nanotechnology applications. This initiative underscores the Fund's commitment to positioning Saudi Arabia as a regional leader in environmental innovation and contributes to the Kingdom's long term sustainability agenda under Vision 2030.
Further, these research collaborations are also designed to bridge academic expertise with national environmental priorities, supporting practical solutions that enhance climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, and natural resource sustainability.
Speaking of the agreements with the research institutions, 'These agreements position Saudi Arabia at the forefront of scientific and environmental innovation. By nurturing academic talent and promoting environmental research more widely, we are building localized capacity to develop impactful solutions relevant to Saudi Arabia and able to respond to global concerns,' said Munir bin Fahad Al-Sahli, CEO of the Environment Fund.
Among the institutions with which the Environment Fund has finalized research agreements are Tabuk University, University of Jeddah, Northern Border University, King Saud University, and Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University. These institutions will conduct research in areas such as seed banking and plant conservation, solar-powered water recovery, coral regeneration, greywater treatment using biotechnological methods, environmental nanocomposites, afforestation, and agrivoltaics. Additional agreements with other institutions are currently under review or pending approval. A notable project is a partnership with the Coral Research & Development Accelerator Platform (CORDAP) to support the development of a smart-decision framework for coral restoration. The project applies advanced physiological screening and long-term monitoring to identify heat-resilient coral colonies, contributing to more effective restoration outcomes and supporting marine biodiversity in the face of climate change.
The Environment Fund continues to strengthen its collaboration with academic and research institutions as part of its broader strategy to enhance environmental knowledge, foster innovation, and support the national green transition in line with Vision 2030.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


UAE Moments
13 hours ago
- UAE Moments
A Sharjah Site Receives UNESCO World Heritage Status
The Faya Palaeolandscape in Sharjah has officially been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, a milestone marking international recognition of one of the world's oldest and most continuous records of early human occupation in the Middle East. Located in Sharjah's Central Region near Jebel Faya, this prehistoric site preserves a near-continuous settlement layer dating back over 210,000 years, from the Middle Palaeolithic to the Neolithic era. Excavations have uncovered 18 distinct archaeological layers, revealing how early Homo sapiens adapted to dramatic climatic changes through sophisticated tool-making and environmental adaptation. Archaeologists discovered 80,000-year-old elongated stone tools crafted using a complex technique called bidirectional reduction, showcasing remarkable cognitive skill and resourcefulness. These multipurpose tools were tailored for hunting, processing plants, and crafting, reflecting an advanced cultural and technological understanding. The nomination was evaluated during UNESCO's 47th World Heritage Committee session in Paris on Friday. Spearheaded by Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, official ambassador for the nomination, along with Sheikh Dr Sultan Al Qasimi, who formally approved the site boundaries for UNESCO submission.


Zawya
21 hours ago
- Zawya
Ajman University: Sole Middle East Recipient of Prestigious ICANN Grant to develop global internet security system
Ajman, UAE – Ajman University has secured a prestigious international grant from the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) worth USD 410,300.00, in the inaugural cycle of the ICANN Grant Program. This competitive international award, secured through the dedicated efforts of Prof. Rao Naveed Bin Rais from the College of Engineering and Information Technology, will support the development of a groundbreaking system to archive and analyze global data related to the Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC) — a vital cybersecurity protocol that safeguards the integrity of Internet infrastructure. The project aims to build a 24/7 operational platform that analyzes historical DNSSEC data, identifies vulnerabilities, and highlights gaps in its global implementation. This first-of-its-kind system will offer diagnostic tools with visual analysis, helping enhance DNSSEC adoption worldwide. Ajman University is the only institution in the Middle East to receive this grant, and one of just 23 selected entities out of 247 global applicants. Out of 23 entities, only 3 are selected from Asia including Ajman University. Moreover, AU is also among the only five universities worldwide to receive the award — including three from Europe, one from Latin America, and Ajman University as the sole representative from Asia. This milestone reinforces Ajman University's global standing, particularly as it enabled the University to obtain U.S.-equivalent charitable organization status — a prerequisite for applying to this grant. This designation aligns with AU's identity as a non-profit academic institution and paves the way for securing additional international funding opportunities that support its academic and community missions. Being the only awardee from both the Middle East and the only university from the Asia highlights the University's ability to compete at the highest levels in fields such as cybersecurity and Internet governance. The grant-funded project represents a significant addition to the University's research and technological infrastructure. It involves the development of a passive, integrated system to collect and analyze DNSSEC data — the first of its kind globally — and is expected to boost AU's international visibility as global Internet community begins using the platform. The project will also include the establishment of a high-tech hardware lab on campus, further strengthening AU's capacity for applied research and innovation in digital infrastructure. The initiative promises to create research and training opportunities for AU graduates, while providing current students and researchers access to valuable datasets for research and development purposes — supporting their growth in analytical and technical skills. The project addresses a major global challenge related to the implementation of DNSSEC, a protocol strongly advocated by global Internet bodies like ICANN and IETF for securing the DNS ecosystem. In the adoption of DNSSEC protocol, one of the main obstacles has been the lack of visibility into global adoption and implementation gaps. Through the newly developed system, Ajman University seeks to bridge that gap by monitoring and analyzing DNSSEC adoption across Internet domain names worldwide. This project reflects Ajman University's strong commitment to leveraging scientific research in service of global challenges and underscores its active role in building secure and sustainable digital infrastructure that benefits academic and technical communities both locally and globally. About Ajman University Established in 1988 as the first private university in the GCC, Ajman University (AU) is a non-profit institution committed to delivering world-class education and empowering future leaders. With a strong emphasis on academic excellence, global engagement, and societal impact, AU continues to shape a diverse and inclusive learning environment that nurtures innovation and integrity. Ajman University earned full accreditation from the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) in 2024, becoming the first private and non-profit university in the UAE and the Arab world to achieve this prestigious distinction. In the 2026 QS World University Rankings, AU ranks #440 globally and #6 in the UAE, with a global ranking of #241 for Employer Reputation and #3 in the UAE. AU also holds the #1 position in the UAE and #4 globally for the percentage of international students. With a growing network of over 40,000 alumni across the world, AU continues to prepare graduates who are career-ready, globally aware, and committed to shaping a better future for their communities and beyond.


Zawya
a day ago
- Zawya
CUD introduces new AI program to advance global leadership in artificial intelligence
Dubai, UAE: Canadian University Dubai (CUD) has announced the launch of a Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence (BScAI) program, to equip students with skills to succeed in one of the fastest growing industries in the global economy. Delivered through the School of Engineering, Applied Science and Technology, the program aims to contribute to the national strategy to transform the UAE into a world-leader in AI. Designed to meet the surging demand for skilled professionals in the fast-evolving tech landscape, the BScAI program blends a rigorous academic foundation with cutting-edge practical training. The curriculum begins with core principles in mathematics and computer science, then progresses into advanced AI domains such as machine learning, neural networks, and intelligent systems, empowering students with hands-on experience in computer vision, natural language processing, and autonomous decision-making. Beyond the technical skills, the program emphasizes critical soft skills and ethical leadership, integrating courses in communication, ethical AI, and entrepreneurship to produce graduates who are not just highly proficient AI specialists, but also responsible thinkers ready to address the societal, ethical, and business challenges of an AI-driven future With a focus on building expertise and employability, the program allows students to choose from a wide range of elective courses in specialized areas such as speech recognition, digital vision, and multilingual AI, enabling them to explore and focus on their personal interests. As part of the program, students will complete a real-world internship and a final-year AI project, giving them valuable hands-on experience prior to graduation. The program launch is set in the context of the UAE National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031, which aims to position the UAE as a global leader in the field of AI. The BScAI will support the strategy by building a new generation of regional talent that is equipped to enter jobs enabled by AI, and to lead in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. Speaking about the opportunities for graduates of the BScAI, Dr. Tamer Mohamed, Chair of the Department of Computer Engineering and Computational Science, said, 'We have built this program to empower students with the tools to shape the future. Whether they want to create new technologies, solve global challenges, or launch their own startups, this degree opens the door to endless possibilities.' Dr. Sherif Moussa, Dean of the School of Engineering, Applied Science and Technology, added, 'This launch reflects our vision to provide education that's not just relevant, but also transformative. As Dubai is rapidly becoming a global center for AI, we are proud to contribute to building professional capacity in this important economic sector. We look forward to our students leading the way in harnessing AI technology across industries in the UAE.' The Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence is now open to applications for Fall 2025. About Canadian University Dubai Established in 2006, Canadian University Dubai (CUD) is a higher education institution located in City Walk, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The university is the #1 ranking University in Dubai according to the QS World University Rankings 2025. CUD is a diverse and dynamic institution, with over 120 student nationalities. With a reputation for academic excellence, the university offers more than 30 specialized majors, concentrations, and focus area pathways, through over 25 accredited undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The curriculum is Canadian-inspired and serves as a gateway for students to pursue higher education, research, entrepreneurship and employment opportunities in Canada.