HRH Crown Prince Muqrin Presides Opening Ceremony of KSU Invents.
HRH Crown Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz presided opening ceremony of "Forum and Exhibition of University Invents", organized by King Saud University at Hamad Al-Jasser Hall.
Crown Prince Muqrin was greeted upon his arrival, by Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Riyadh Province, Prince Mutaib bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, Minister of the National Guard, and Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Thunayan Chairman of the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu and Chairman of the Board of Directors of SABIC (Saudi Basic Industries Corporation).
In addition there were also present Prince Saud bin Abdulrahman bin Nasser bin Abdulaziz, Prince Saad bin Muteb bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, Prince Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Abdulrahman (governor of Dir'iya), and the Secretary General of the Council of Ministers Abdul Rahman Al-Sadhan to greet Crown Prince.
KSU Rector Badran Al-Omar greeted and welcomed to Crown Prince with Minister of Education Azzam bin Mohammed Al-Dakhil on arrival at KSU.
The Crown Prince was accompanied by Prince Faisal bin Fahd bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Prince Mohammed bin Fahd bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Prince Saad bin Abdulaziz bin Saad bin Abdulaziz and Prince Saud bin Abdulaziz bin Mishaal bin Saud bin Abdulaziz.
Immediately upon the arrival of the Crown Prince, the royal anthem was played. Following that, the Crown Prince shook hands with members of KSU’s administrative board and deans then was shown the mural erected by KSU in support of Operation Decisive Storm.
After the Crown Prince took his place on the main podium, the ceremony began with a recitation of verses from the Holy Quran. Then, the Crown Prince spoke. After praising God and the Prophet (PBUH), he said he was pleased to be in the company of KSU’s elite scientists and inventors.
Further, Crown Prince said that careful monitoring of the global knowledge industry and the diversification of GDP industry sources within communities, makes it possible to conclude that the progress and strength of a nation lies in its ability to compete globally in education and innovation and in the graduation of generations who are capable of performing in all fields of knowledge, making universities a fundamental pillar of the state, empowering it to prosper and progress on social, cultural and economic levels. Thus, he added, it was not strange for developed countries in the Twenty First Century to focus on building the knowledge economy, via focusing on education, research and development and stimulating creativity, innovation and the transformational university research output that meet the requirements of society.
Moreover, Crown Prince added: “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is not isolated from the global trend towards knowledge and innovation industry, and our wise leadership has long realized the value of knowledge output and new technologies resulting from innovation for the development of the country, as these are the best driving forces for the sustainability of the economy and its growth, for job creation, and to maintain wealth and international competitiveness. For this reason, our leadership sired the drafting of a national strategy for science and technology to turn the Kingdom into a knowledge society".
The Crown Prince also said that the Saudi leadership is implementing the strategy of supporting talent, creativity and innovation. He said that the national strategy for the industry, as well as the tenth development plan for the Kingdom, provide for the dissemination of the culture of knowledge-based economy in the community, and empowering Human Resources, and to stimulate universities to invest in the areas of research, development and innovation. He said this was a clear indication of a deep understanding of the value of education, innovation and the role of universities in achieving economic and social development in the Kingdom. He said this was also an indication of the finest qualities of efficiency and rare scientific levels.
The Crown Prince then added: “King Saud University, the first university established in the Kingdom, shoulders the great responsibility of graduating generations of creative individuals to build the future and achieve sustainable development for the Kingdom”. He added that the university has become the focus of attention of the Saudi Society for the significant increase in patents and in indicators of qualitative scientific research, and for keeping pace with developments in technology and modern science. He pointed out that the diversity of medical, bio-engineering, science and information technology specialties makes King Saud University, an ideal place for scientific research and technological development and community service.
The Crown Prince concluded: “I pray God to guide and support our leader the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and strengthen his determination and efforts to serve his country and its people and to support its public universities including King Saud University”. He said King Salman is a “maker of KSU’s modern history” providing it with his care and support since he was governor of Riyadh and oversaw its establishment and growth into what it is today, an internationally-recognized exporter of talents, patents, scientists and leaders who hold critical offices in the state. He prayed God to reward King Salman who supported and still supports education. He also wished success to the conference in achieving the goals for which KSU was established.
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