Cooperation Between “Science and Technology City” and Mentor Graphics”

To Develop Electronic Design Technologies in the Kingdom

King Abdulaziz City For Science and Technology has recently concluded a cooperation agreement with Mentor Graphics Co., a pioneer company in the field electronics design by means of advanced electronics, to promote and develop electronics design technology in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Advanced electronics technology center will be established in the city, according to the agreement, to contribute to supporting the Comprehensive National Plan of Science and Technology through the advanced technologies program and the specialized training program and incubator support program, whereas these programs constitute the first steps of cooperation between the city and Mentor Graphics Co. together within more programs under development in the center of advanced electronics technology in King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology.

According to the agreement, Mentor Graphics will provide comprehensive electronic design softwares in addition to providing consultative services and training to government bodies as well as providing its university program in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

H.H. Prince Turki Ibn Saud Ibn Mohammad Al-Saud, the Vice-President of the City for Research Institutes declared that the Kingdom has accomplished a National Plan for Science and Technology to be implemented within the coming twenty years.  KACST has been entrusted to form, manage and carry out this plan.  The plan will encourage, and promote research and development in many avenues.

Gregory Henkley, the President of Mentor Graphics, stated that Mentor Company which is a pioneer company in the area of designing electronics by advanced means of technology in the region through the Development Center which was established in Egypt in 1995, is pleased to contribute to the building of the technology center of advanced technologies.  This cooperation will promote electronic design in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Dr. Sami Al Humaidi, the supervisor of the electronics, communications and fiber optics program in KACST, confirmed that authorities concerned with electronics in the Kingdom shall innovate in the area of electronic design and that these authorities must be experienced and acquainted with the latest electronic technologies.  As such, one of the main methods of the successful execution of the research and development plan in the area of microelectronics, is the cooperation with international companies specialized in electronic design technologies such as Mentor Graphics.

With regard to Dr. Hazem Al Tahawi, the Board Chairman in Egypt, he has declared that Monitor Graphics Company is committed to provide experiences available to the company branches in Egypt to support (KACST) build its expertise in the electronic design technologies and has pointed to the cooperation of the advisory section of the company with (KACST) and Saudi Universities in researches relevant to areas of advanced technology.

It is to be mentioned that Monitor Graphics is a pioneer company on the international standard in providing software and device design solutions as well as provision of products, advisory services and support for the most successful companies worldwide in the area of electronics and semi-conductors.  The company was established in 1981 and has gained considerable revenues during the last twelve months.  The company employs about 4425 persons in different parts of the world.

The company site on the spider information net across the world is: www.mentor.com