Winding up the exhibit and conference of the Global Union Communications in Geneva
Nanotechnology, Satellites and WiMax polarize visitors of KACST pavilion
The pavilion of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, participating in the activities of the exhibition accompanying the conference of the Global Union Communications held in Geneva and wound up its activities yesterday Friday, achieved a remarkable success polarizing heads of states, high-ranking officials, media people and specialists in the sector of communication and information technology.
KACST pavilion, among institutions and authorities concerned with communications and information technology participating in the kingdom’s pavilion, supplied visitors with valuable information about KACST research activities and its pivotal role as a governmental institution caring for developing the sector of science, technology and innovation in the kingdom to foster knowledge based society to serve sustained development.
Prominent officials and international personalities including Ban Ki-moon Secretary General of the United Nations, Paul Kagame President of Rwanda, Mayor of Geneva city, the Lebanese Minister of Communication and a bunch of reporters from the UN and European newspapers flocked to KACST pavilion. The pavilion also received high ranking Saudi officials with Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Muhammed Jamil Mulla, the Governor of Communications and Information Technology Dr. Abdul Rahman El- Gaafary, Member of Shoura Council Dr. Ibrahim El-Shidi and the Saudi Consul in Switzerland Mr. Nabil Saleh coming on top.
A delegation from KDDI Company participating in the exhibition visited KACST pavilion and expressed wish to communicate with KACST; the same wish was expressed by the delegate of cities and local governments. Arab, Gulf and international delegations gathered in the pavilion where they were received by KACST Vice President for Research Support Dr. Abdullah Ahmed Al Rasheed and the exhibiting team.
The visitors listened into detailed explanation about KACST varied roles and its future plans. Many of them expressed their admiration of KACST’s versified roles and activities in addition to its scientific and research role with the local and global universities and its specialties in scopes of nano –technology, satellites and wire and wireless technology. Most visitors showed sincere desire to communicate with KACST in the future.
The visitors also saw a visual presentation in English and French about KACST role in scientific research in the kingdom as per the goals and conceptions of the long-term policy for science and technology. The film stressed the effective support offered by the government to foster scientific research that has been evident in assigning approximately 8 billion SAR for projects and programs of the first quinquennial plan for science, technology and innovation.
The film and explanations of the exhibiting-team evaluated the eleven programs of strategic technologies specified by the National Plan for Science, Technology and Innovation, the vital and strategic importance of these programs to achieve the future development in the kingdom and realize the kingdom’s vision and ambition for an advanced rank among the advanced industrial country by the end of the plan.
The film reviewed KACST experiences in communications and information technology as well as agreements KACST signed with advanced scientific research entities in this crucial scope; out of which is the cooperation agreement signed with Intel to establish the first joint research centre in the Arab World to develop mobile wireless technology. The centre currently supplies varied services in the field of communication, broadband services, solving communication problems and securing broadband internet for WiMax networks in the area.
The film stressed KACST efforts in the field of information services for researchers in the kingdom through producing varied computer programs to fulfill their requirements not to mention KACST interest to develop and boost cooperation and local, regional and international partnership with the aim of transferring technology and settling and developing strategically important technologies to the kingdom.