Science and Innovation Network in Saudi Arabia

Jane Lambert

 

Earlier today I wrote about Yamish Yakoob's appointment as the first British intellectual property attaché to the Gulf Cooperation Council or "GCC" (see UK's New Intellectual Property Attache to the GCC 27 April 2021).  I posted Mr Yakoob's contact details at the British embassy in Riyadh but forgot to check whether our embassy has a website and I have discovered that it does (British embassy website).   It also has some information about a lot of useful services in Saudi Arabia and the GCC which merit this postscript.

Science & Innovation Network in Saudi Arabia

The Science and Innovation Network in Saudi Arabia is part of a wider network of approximately 110 officers in over 40 countries and territories around the world who are building partnerships and collaborations in science and innovation.  According to the network's website, it has 3 officers covering all 6 GCC countries. The head of the network in the GCC, who is referred to curiously as "the Head of SIN (Gulf)", is based in Doha.  The officials in Saudi Arabia are based at the British embassy in Riyadh.

The Network's Objectives in Saudi Arabia

According to the network's website, its officials in Saudi Arabia are working on the following objectives

"Establishing the UK as Saudi Arabia’s pivotal partner of choice in science and innovation.

Supporting the Saudi Arabia in enhancing their resilience and security by addressing long-term threats, including emerging health issues and global challenges on water and food security, as well as through building their capacity to deliver evidence-based policies.

Increasing trade and investment cooperation in education, healthcare, infrastructure, water, clean energy, cyber security, Science and Innovation – working on higher education, collaborating with the British Council and the Gulf Science and Innovation, Knowledge and Economy programme.

Broadening security cooperation between the UK and Saudi Arabia – keeping Britain, and our interests, safe.

Strengthening bilateral relationship through engagement on science and innovation.

Helping Saudi Arabia to deliver commitments made at COP 22.

Helping Saudi Arabia with Vision 2030 and achieving economic diversification.

Engaging with the next generation of thinkers.

Helping Saudi Arabia to deliver on G20 commitments."

Priorities

The website states that the officials in Saudi Arabia are focusing on the following priorities:

"Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)

Genomics and Precision Medicine.

Food Security

Cyber and ICT

Clean and Renewable Energy

Future/SMART Cities"

Possible Overlap

The reference to "SMART Cities" reminds me of the work on SMART Towns carried out by the Enterprise Hub (Yr Hwb Menter) at the Menai Science Park in North Wales. There may be scope for fruitful collaboration between Welsh and Saudi collaborators in that field.   

Snapshot

The network has produced the following snapshot of its work in Saudi Arabia.

Further Information

I have summarized the links in the following table:

British Embassy in Saudi Arabia	https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-riyadh
UK Science & Innovation Network In Saudi Arabia	https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/uk-science-innovation-network-in-kingdom-of-saudi-arabia
UK Science & Innovation Network Country Snapshot	https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/910663/Saudi_Arabia_Snapshot-2020.pdf
British embassy Facebook page	https://www.facebook.com/ukinsaudiarabia
UK Science & Innovation Network Twitter stream	https://twitter.com/uksinet?lang=en-gb

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